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Australian Visa Bureau   »   Visas and Immigration   »   Australia Skilled Migration   »  Visa Processing Priorities

Australia Visa Processing Priorities: Application times and timeframes

One important factor to consider before deciding which visa subclass to apply for is the priority processing order for visa applications. The priority processing order first came into effect on 1 January 2009, along with the introduction of the Critical Skills List (CSL).

Before reading on, please understand that priority processing DOES NOT affect your visa eligibility in any way, and ONLY determines how quickly your visa application will be entered into processing upon lodgement to DIAC.

How does the Australia visa priority processing order work?

Essentially, the priority processing order determines how quickly your visa application will be processed after lodging it to DIAC. If you are Priority 1, 2, 3 or 4, this should only be a matter of months, whereas Priority 5, 6 and 7 applicants are currently not scheduled to be processed until approx. 2012. However, timeframes are all subject to change, being very dependent on the demands of the Australian economy and DIAC.

Should you be eligible for multiple visas, it is vital that you understand the huge differences in processing times BEFORE deciding which visa option is right for your personal circumstances.

 Complete the Online Assessment for Skilled Migration
Current Australian Visa Processing Priorities - Updated 16/03/2009
Applicant's situation
Processing Priority
Applicants who are applying under the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) or Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) Processing Priority 1
Applicants with a successful State / Territory nomination and whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills List (CSL). Processing Priority 2
Applicants with an Australian family sponsor and whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills List (CSL). Processing Priority 3
Applicants whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills List (CSL). Processing Priority 4
Applicants with a successful State / Territory nomination but whose nominated occupation is NOT on the Critical Skills List (CSL). Processing Priority 5
Applicants whose occupations are listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); AND
Applicants who are sponsored by family and whose nominated occupation is not listed on the Critical Skills List (CSL).		 Processing Priority 6
All other applicants. Processing Priority 7
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