AusVisaTime
Clear data for a calmer wait

Subclass 500 processing time, without the guesswork.

Estimate your grant date for six popular Australian visa subclasses using current Home Affairs processing times.

Official benchmarks
No account needed
Current figures

Choose your visa subclass

Subclass 186Subclass 189Subclass 190Subclass 482Subclass 500Subclass 600

Your selected visa

Subclass 500

Student Visa

For international students enrolled in an eligible full-time course in Australia.

Choose your pathway

Enter your lodgement date

See today's timeline

Build your waiting timeline

Two details are enough to compare your wait with current Home Affairs benchmarks.

Not sure? Use the pathway name shown in your nomination approval or visa application summary.

No account required · based on current published figures

Published benchmarks

Current Processing Times

Compare how long 50% and 90% of recently decided applications took in each pathway.

Current data

Higher Education Sector

For eligible bachelor and coursework postgraduate study.

16Days
50% processed
7Months
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Vocational Education and Training Sector

For eligible certificate, diploma and advanced diploma vocational courses.

7Months
50% processed
7Months
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Postgraduate Research Sector

For eligible master's by research and doctoral degree study.

36Days
50% processed
84Days
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Independent ELICOS Sector

For standalone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.

14Days
50% processed
7Months
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Schools Sector

For eligible primary and secondary school study.

20Days
50% processed
73Days
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector

For students sponsored by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence.

3Days
50% processed
44Days
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026
Current data

Non-Award Sector

For eligible non-award foundation, exchange or other non-award study.

Less than 1Day
50% processed
14Days
90% processed
Last updated: 23 Jul 2026

Subclass 500 Student visa processing time

Student visa processing times vary by education sector. Current 50% checkpoints range from less than one day for Non-Award applications to 7 months for the VET sector; use the sector on your Confirmation of Enrolment.

How long does a Subclass 500 Student visa take?

Select the education sector that matches your main course. Home Affairs also applies student visa processing priorities, so course start dates and application completeness do not guarantee a decision date.