After you lodge your application
On this page
Processing of your application will usually commence within seven (7) working days of the department receiving your application.
Complete applications
If complete, your application will be assessed by a case officer and you will be advised of any final steps that may need to be completed prior to consideration of the visa .
Incomplete applications
If incomplete, an initial assessment of your application will be made by a case officer. You will receive an acknowledgment letter that includes the following information:
- file number
- date of application
- client and/or permission request ID
- Transaction Reference Number (TRN) – for online applications only
- grant of a Bridging A (subclass 010) visa – only for applicants who have applied for a General Skilled Migration visa that can be granted while they are in Australia
- name and contact details for your case officer
- any outstanding documentation you must provide.
Important: Processing of your application will not continue until all outstanding documentation has been received.
Providing additional information
Additional information can be provided in writing at any time until a decision is made on your application. All relevant information is taken into account.
If you are invited to give additional information, or comment on information, you will be given a date by which to do so. After that date, the department can continue processing your application whether you provide the information or not. You cannot delay a decision by saying that you might give more information later.
Invitation to comment
If another person gives the department information that could result in your application being refused, the department may give you an opportunity to comment on the information. The department will make this decision on a case by case basis.
Important: You will need to comment by a set date. After that date, the department can continue processing your application whether you provide further comment or not. You cannot delay a decision by saying that you might give more information later.
Interviews
If you are invited to attend an interview, you must attend on the date and time agreed with the department. If you do not attend or provide a valid reason for not doing so, the department can process your application and make a decision based on the information it already has.
Bridging visas
For General Skilled Migration visas that can be granted while you are in Australia, bridging visas ensure you remain lawful in case your current visa ceases before a decision is made on your visa application. A bridging visa will also ensure you remain lawful if your visa application is refused and you seek merits review of this refusal.
See: Bridging Visas for General Skilled Migration
Change in circumstances
If any of your circumstances change, such that an answer in your application or information given to the department is no longer correct, you must inform the department as soon as possible.
See: Change of Circumstances
Visa decision
If the visa is approved
When a visa is granted, a visa grant number is assigned to the visa. This is a unique number that is used to identify you as the holder of a valid visa in the department's computer systems.
You will receive a grant notification letter at your nominated email or postal address. This letter will confirm your visa approval, visa grant number and any conditions attached to your visa.
With no evidence of your visa approval, it is strongly recommended that you keep this letter with you when you travel to and from Australia as you may have to provide the visa grant number to the department.
If the visa is not approved
You will be notified in writing of the decision to refuse your application. You will also be advised if you are eligible to seek a review of the decision made and the time you have to do so or your time limit to depart Australia. The review will address the merits of the decision and will be undertaken by a body independent of the department.
You, or the person you have authorised to act and receive communication on your behalf, will be taken to have received the letter:
- seven (7) working days after the date of the letter, if the letter was sent to an address in Australia
or - 21 working days after the date of the letter, if the letter was sent to an address outside Australia.
If the letter is handed to you, you will be taken to have been notified at that moment.
If the letter is faxed or emailed to you, you will be taken to have been notified at the end of the day it was faxed or emailed.
Application processing times
For complete applications, the department will process 75% of applications in the time listed in the table below.
Processing times vary depending on 'high risk' or 'low risk' country requirements. Low risk countries are Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) eligible. High risk countries are those not on the ETA list.
See: www.eta.immi.gov.au
The tables below outline service standards for low and high risk countries.
| Service Standard for Low Risk Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Onshore (If your visa can be granted while you are in Australia ) |
Offshore (If your visa can be granted while you are outside Australia ) |
| General Skilled Migration | six (6) months | 12 months |
| Skilled Regional Sponsored | five (5) months | seven (7) months |
| Service Standard for High Risk Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Onshore
(If your visa can be granted while you are in Australia) |
Offshore
(If your visa can be granted while you are outside Australia) |
| General Skilled Migration | six (6) months | 15 months |
| Skilled Regional Sponsored | five (5) months | seven (7) months |
Note: Incomplete and some individual applications may take longer depending on the completeness and complexity of the case.
More information
More information about General Skilled Migration, including the preferred method of corresponding with the department, is available.
See: Contact us: Professionals and other skilled migrant visas