Australia speeds up student and visitor visas while permanent wait times stay painfully long

Student visas hit a median 33 days — permanents lag

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs says student and visitor visa processing has improved sharply: student visas now average a 33-day median, and most visitor visas are decided in under a day. But the same update shows permanent pathways remain slow, with skilled visas averaging about nine months and partner visas around 17 months.