Australia Visa Processing Time Changes in October 2024 | Australia Visa Update

If you’re considering migrating to or visiting Australia, we’ll go over the most recent changes to the processing times for Australian visas as of October 2024 in this article, which should address all of your issues. We’ll cover a variety of visa categories, including work, travel, study, and even permanent resident permits.

Overview of the Australian Visa Processing Time

No matter if you’re applying for a short-term tourist visa or a permanent resident permit, understanding how long the application procedure will take could help you make appropriate plans. Because of the significant backlog that had formed in previous months, Australia implemented several significant changes to the visa application procedure.

Starting in October 2024, processing times have stabilized for some categories, but they are still delayed for others because of a high amount of applications. Minor changes to immigration legislation have also had an impact on processing timeframes.

1. Tourist Visa Processing Times

As of October 2024, processing times for tourist visas are usually the same, but there may be sporadic differences depending on where you live. This is a better situation than it was earlier in the year when it may take up to two months, but for most applicants, the current average processing time for a tourist visa is between 10 and 24 days.

If you have upcoming travel plans, we recommend finishing your application at least two months in advance just to be safe. However, you can face delays if your application is not complete or if you come from a country where security protocols are more stringent. Do not forget to check for any updated travel advisories or restrictions that could affect the approval of your Visa.

2. Student Visa Processing Times

Throughout 2024, there have been variations in the length of time it takes to process student visas due to the enormous number of applications. Processing times have increased slightly as of October 2024 compared to previously in the month.

In contrast to mid-2024, when some students had to wait only three months, the higher education sector’s processing times now take between 38 days and five months for the bulk of applications. This is a slightly longer version. Students should be urged to ensure they have health insurance and have submitted all required documentation ahead of time when applying for a student visa, as incomplete applications sometimes cause processing delays.

Applications for postgraduate studies or research visas may be processed in a significantly shorter amount of time—between 42 days and 4 months.

3. Work Visa Processing Times

Since October 2024, the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa processing time has varied based on the occupation and visa stream, but due to Australia’s skilled labor shortages, certain high-demand professions in industries like IT and healthcare may experience faster processing.

Because the Visa leads to permanent residency, the processing time for the Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 is longer, averaging 4 to 6 months. For each of these visas, your employer must file the required documentation and sponsorship details since this could significantly impact how quickly your visa is issued.

4. Permanent Residence and Partner Visa Processing Times

Getting permanent residency is the aim of many people who want to move to Australia, and depending on the category, PR visa processing times might vary greatly. A few of the most sought-after Australian permanent residence visas include the General Skilled Migration Visa subclasses 189, 190, and 491.

Although there was still a significant backlog for these visas in October 2024, it was less than in previous years because the processing times now range from six to twenty-two months. However, if you’re seeking a Partner Visa under Subclass 820 or 801, you might have to wait a little bit longer.

The current Partner Visa processing period spans from 10 to 31 months, depending on how straightforward your case is. Due to the extensive documentation and confirmation required for these visas, any missing information could cause further delays. Please ensure you have all the required documentation before submitting since incomplete applications are one of the primary reasons for delays.

Use the online tracking system to stay updated on the status of your application, and apply as soon as you can, especially if you have travel or work deadlines. You should keep a careful eye on any changes made to immigration legislation that can affect the type of visa you are eligible for.