Higher Education Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 16 Days, while 90% were finalised within 4 Months.
Subclass 500 visa processing time
Use the stream and lodgement date shown in your application to compare your wait with current Home Affairs checkpoints.
- Official benchmarks
- No account needed
- Current figures
Choose your visa subclass
How long does a Subclass 500 visa take?
For Higher Education Sector, Home Affairs lists 50% processed in 16 Days and 90% in 4 Months. These figures describe recently decided applications, not a guaranteed deadline.
Source published: · Last verified:
| Stream | 50% processed | 90% processed |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Education Sector | 16 Days | 4 Months |
| Vocational Education and Training Sector | 53 Days | 7 Months |
| Postgraduate Research Sector | 17 Days | 55 Days |
| Independent ELICOS Sector | 22 Days | 53 Days |
| Schools Sector | 28 Days | 7 Months |
| Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector | 3 Days | 22 Days |
| Non-Award Sector | 3 Days | 43 Days |
Processing-time historyVerify with Home AffairsWhat do 50% and 90% processed mean?
Your selected visa
Subclass 500
Student Visa
For international students enrolled in an eligible full-time course in Australia.
Eligibility, costs and application stepsBuild your waiting timeline
Two details are enough to compare your wait with current Home Affairs benchmarks.
Published benchmarks
Current Processing Times
Compare how long 50% and 90% of recently decided applications took in each pathway.
What do 50% and 90% processed mean?Higher Education Sector
For eligible bachelor and coursework postgraduate study.
16Days
50% processed
4Months
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Vocational Education and Training Sector
For eligible certificate, diploma and advanced diploma vocational courses.
53Days
50% processed
7Months
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Postgraduate Research Sector
For eligible master's by research and doctoral degree study.
17Days
50% processed
55Days
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Independent ELICOS Sector
For standalone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
22Days
50% processed
53Days
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Schools Sector
For eligible primary and secondary school study.
28Days
50% processed
7Months
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
For students sponsored by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence.
3Days
50% processed
22Days
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Non-Award Sector
For eligible non-award foundation, exchange or other non-award study.
3Days
50% processed
43Days
90% processed
Last updated: 5 Oct 2026
Stream-specific guide
Subclass 500 Student visa processing time by education sector
Student visa processing times vary by education sector, including Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), ELICOS, Schools, Postgraduate Research and Non-Award study. Select the sector that matches the principal course in your application.
Vocational Education and Training Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 53 Days, while 90% were finalised within 7 Months.
Postgraduate Research Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 17 Days, while 90% were finalised within 55 Days.
Independent ELICOS Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 22 Days, while 90% were finalised within 53 Days.
Schools Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 28 Days, while 90% were finalised within 7 Months.
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 3 Days, while 90% were finalised within 22 Days.
Non-Award Sector
Current Home Affairs data shows 50% of recently decided applications were finalised within 3 Days, while 90% were finalised within 43 Days.
Your education sector matters more than one headline timeframe
Different Subclass 500 sectors can move at different speeds. Check the course and provider information associated with your Confirmation of Enrolment if you are unsure which option best matches the lodged application.
Which date should I enter?
Use the date the Subclass 500 visa application was lodged, then select the education sector attached to that application.
50% processed does not mean your application is half complete
These percentages describe recently decided applications, not progress inside one individual case.
Subclass 500 processing-time history
These are recorded publications, not a continuous daily history. Charts use official publication dates. Missing periods are not interpolated, and lower checkpoints do not predict your decision date.
Higher Education Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% −3 days; 90% +38 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% No change; 90% −105 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Days 16 days | 7 Months 214 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 15 Days 15 days | 7 Months 203 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 19 Days 19 days | 71 Days 71 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 16 Days 16 days | 4 Months 109 days | Recorded snapshot |
Vocational Education and Training Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% −38 days; 90% +7 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% −154 days; 90% No change.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Months 207 days | 7 Months 224 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 7 Months 203 days | 7 Months 214 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 3 Months 91 days | 7 Months 217 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 53 Days 53 days | 7 Months 224 days | Recorded snapshot |
Postgraduate Research Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% +5 days; 90% −5 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% −19 days; 90% −29 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 Days 36 days | 84 Days 84 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 27 Days 27 days | 3 Months 102 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 12 Days 12 days | 60 Days 60 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 17 Days 17 days | 55 Days 55 days | Recorded snapshot |
Independent ELICOS Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% +4 days; 90% +1 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% +8 days; 90% −154 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Days 14 days | 7 Months 207 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 6 Days 6 days | 62 Days 62 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 18 Days 18 days | 52 Days 52 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 22 Days 22 days | 53 Days 53 days | Recorded snapshot |
Schools Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% +2 days; 90% −6 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% +8 days; 90% +134 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Days 20 days | 73 Days 73 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 22 Days 22 days | 7 Months 202 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 26 Days 26 days | 7 Months 213 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 28 Days 28 days | 7 Months 207 days | Recorded snapshot |
Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% No change; 90% +7 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% No change; 90% −22 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days 3 days | 44 Days 44 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 4 Days 4 days | 31 Days 31 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 3 Days 3 days | 15 Days 15 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 3 Days 3 days | 22 Days 22 days | Recorded snapshot |
Non-Award Sector
Change since source publication 2026-09-04: 50% +2 days; 90% +18 days.
Solid: 50% processed. Dashed: 90% processed. Exact days on the vertical axis.
- 3-month comparison
- Recorded sources 2026-06-26 to 2026-09-29: 50% +2 days; 90% +29 days.
- 6-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
- 12-month comparison
- Insufficient comparable history.
| Source published | Checked | 50% processed | 90% processed | Record source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 Day 1 days | 14 Days 14 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| Less than 1 Day 1 days | 21 Days 21 days | Historical Home Affairs record | ||
| 1 Day 1 days | 25 Days 25 days | Recorded snapshot | ||
| 3 Days 3 days | 43 Days 43 days | Recorded snapshot |
Historical figures retain their original recorded dates and values. Streams added later have no earlier data.