When applying to study abroad as an international student, it is crucial to learn about all the key aspects involved in the process. Getting a fair understanding of the approximate Australia student visa processing time is the most important part of this process. It can help you plan your application well in advance and help avoid any delays, further enabling you to gain admission into the courses of your choice.
The Australian visa processing time for students is likely to vary for different students. The average processing time is estimated around 61 days (approx).
Related Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times
There are 3 types of Australian student visas offered in the country and the processing time for each of them may vary. The table below explains the different types and their average processing time:
Type of Student Visa | Student Eligibility | Average Processing Time (approx) |
---|---|---|
Subclass 500 - Student Visa | For full-time higher education in Australia for international students | 90% of applications generally take 54 days |
Subclass 590 - Student Guardian Visa | Primarily for guardians (parent, relative, or legal guardian) of students below 18 years of age | May take up to 4 months (likely to vary from one case to another) |
Subclass 485 - Temporary Graduate Visa | Graduate international students who aspire to live, study, and work in Australia after graduation | Depends on the chosen stream (graduate work/post-study work) and may vary |
Sources: https://ielts.idp.com/prepare/article-student-visa-subclass-500
https://www.idp.com/australia/study-to-migrate/student-guardian-visa-590/
https://www.idp.com/australia/study-to-migrate/temporary-graduate-visa-485/
This is one of the most crucial steps in determining the Australian student visa processing time. Every international student applicant must take a medical examination. This helps the authorities understand whether the applicant has any health conditions that may pose a risk to public health in Australia.
After clearing the medical exam, it may typically take a couple of weeks for your application to be processed. In case more tests are required, this time may increase by a few weeks. It is therefore advisable to take an early medical examination for your application. So that, an extension in Australia student visa processing time after the medical exam does not delay your study travel plans to the country.
Indian students have always widely preferred Australia as one of their top study-abroad destinations. Australia too has given special consideration to Indian applicants for processing. Nearly 1,22,391 Indian students travelled to Australia during Jan-Sep 2023. (Related Source: https://hcicanberra.gov.in/page/guidelines-for-indian-students-wishing-to-study-in-australia/)
The popular intakes for Indian students at Australian universities are in February and July. The intake period has a considerable impact on the processing time. For instance, a student visa for Australia from India processing time may be longer during the peak intake periods (Feb and July). This is because Australian colleges tend to receive plenty of applications during this time.
Some of the top factors that affect processing time for student applications are explained below.
Any student application that is incomplete or has inaccurate information may be delayed or even rejected by the authorities. Completing all the details in the application and attaching all the necessary documents is crucial for faster processing. These include Statement of Purpose (SOP), academic records, medical exam reports, etc.
These include high-volume months such as intake season at Australian institutions (February or July) when numerous applications are received simultaneously. This may delay Australian student visa processing time for applications and extend timelines.
The authorities may carry out additional checks on certain applications. These may concern extra verification in case of previous rejections, background checks like criminal records, security screenings, etc. All these reasons may delay the processing time.
Here are some helpful tips to expedite the process and ensure that there are no delays at your end:
Apply early: There may be unforeseen and uncontrollable situations causing delays in processing (as stated earlier). It is therefore important to apply well in advance to keep room for any potential delays later and avoid disruption of your travel schedule.
Get the medical exam done in advance: You may sometimes require further tests to be done in case the medical report suggests and the authorities need additional reports for added security. This would further push the timelines. Hence, it is advisable to get the medical examination done well in advance so that there is sufficient time for more tests if required. You may get the health exam done before applying.
Keep all documents handy: Organise all your documents before applying. Make a checklist of all the documents required for the application - Statement of Purpose, Confirmation of Enrolment, Genuine Temporary Entrant certification, Overseas Student Health Cover, academic records, etc. Ensuring that all the documents are in order would prevent any unnecessary delays while applying.
Seek professional assistance: To avoid any potential risks of rejection or delays in processing, it’s best to seek guidance and assistance from professionally qualified consultants, such as IDP Education. They are experts at ensuring that all student applications for Australia are thorough, complete, and accurate to avoid any undue delays in processing. They also offer other relevant details such as scholarship, processing time, etc.
Australia student visa processing time is likely to extend because of some of the following reasons defined below:
Problem: Incomplete applications
Solution: Carefully review the application before submitting it to the authorities. Make sure that you have all documents given in the checklist in order before application submission.
Problem: Delay in medical reports
Solution: Get your medical examination done well in advance. You may even get it done before applying. This is because, in case of any health problem detected in your medical report that may pose a risk to public health, the authorities may ask for additional tests. This may delay the medical report and in turn the processing time. Hence, it is advisable to get the test done early to avoid potential delays.
Problem: Financial constraints
Solution: Prove your financial ability to study in Australia by producing the required documents. These include proof of sponsorship (if applicable) or bank statement records. The inability to prove financial stability for studying abroad may cause delays in processing.
1. What is the average Australia student visa processing time in 2025?
The average processing time in Australia is estimated around 61 days (approx).However, this may vary from one student to another depending on different factors.
Related Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times
2. Does medical examination always delay processing times?
No, but there may be a delay in processing in case of any health issue detected in the student’s medical examination. In this case, the student may be required to take some additional tests which can delay the process.
3. Does processing time differ for Indian students?
Yes, the processing time may differ for Indian students applying for Australia depending on several factors. These may include the completeness of their application, the specific subclass that they are applying to, and the current volume of applications received.
4. Can I track my application status?
Yes, you can easily track the status of your application online on the official immigration portal of the country that you are applying to.
5. Do holidays affect processing times in Australia?
Yes, the holiday season or peak travel periods may affect the processing time for Australia. This is because of the increased load of applications received simultaneously during this time.
6. What should I do if my processing time exceeds the average?
You may contact the official portal or physical office of the consulate or embassy handling your application to know the exact reason for the delay.
Updated on 24 January, 2025