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Visa Processing Times Explained

· 3 min read
Kindled
Kindled Team

Not sure what '75% of applications' means? Here's how to decode it.

One of the most common questions we get from ImmiGrant users is: " The app says 5 months, but it’s been 5 months and 2 days. Why don't I have my visa?"

It is a valid question. When your life is on hold, every day counts. However, to understand your timeline, you have to understand how the Australian Department of Home Affairs releases their data. It can be confusing, so let’s break it down.

The "Percentile" Trap​

The government does not give you a specific date for your visa. Instead, they look at all the visas finalised in the previous month and tell you how long it took to finish most of them.

They usually present two key numbers:

  1. 75th Percentile: This means 75% of applications were processed within this timeframe.
  2. 90th Percentile: This means 90% of applications were processed within this timeframe.

Here is an example: If the processing time for a Partner Visa is "12 Months (90%)," it means that out of 100 people who got their decision last month, 90 of them waited 12 months or less.

Crucially, this also means:

  • 10% of people waited longer than 12 months.
  • Some people might have waited only 3 months.

Why do times fluctuate?​

You might check ImmiGrant today and see "4 months," and check next week and see "6 months." This doesn't necessarily mean your application is delayed. It means that the batch of applications the Department finished last month included some older, more complex cases, which dragged the average up.

Factors that influence this include:

  • Volume of applications received.
  • Seasonal peaks.
  • Ministerial Directions (which prioritise certain occupations, like healthcare or teaching).
  • Completeness of your application (missing health checks or police certificates slows things down).

How ImmiGrant Helps You Read the Room​

We designed ImmiGrant to strip away the confusion. We don't just show you a raw number; we help you track the trend.

By using the app, you can see if processing times for your specific subclass (e.g., Subclass 189 or 190) are trending up or down over time. If you see the times dropping generally, it’s a good sign that resources are being allocated to your sector.

Remember: These numbers are a rear-view mirror (looking at the past), not a crystal ball (predicting the future). But they are the best tool we have to set realistic expectations.