According to the latest data from the Department of Immigration Australia, the median processing time of the group Partner (Provisional/Temporary) in July 2026 is at 23 months. But don’t be quick to understand that if you submit an application, you have to wait exactly 23 months to get results. This is the median time for the profile group, and the actual time depends on each case.
What is more notable is the way the Department of Immigration is arranging the order of processing documents. From July 25, 2026, Ministerial Direction 117 replaces Direction 102. According to new regulations, Family Visa applications are submitted when the applicant is in Australia and that type of visa is can be issued while the applicant is still in Australia will be given highest priority.
Especially with Partner Visa, Onshore applications 820/801 are currently given higher priority than Offshore applications such as 309/100 and 300. This can create a significant difference in waiting times between seemingly very similar applications. So if you’re in Australia and considering the Partner Visa route, the question shouldn’t just be:
“How long does a Partner Visa take?” But more importantly: “What priority group does my profile belong to and has it been properly prepared from the beginning?” Because a dossier may have to wait for years, preparing without evidence, having to supplement documents or deal with arising problems can make an already long journey even more complicated. 23 months is not a promise about visa issuance time. But it is a very clear signal that the person preparing the Partner Visa application needs to understand the policy and application strategy before submitting, instead of just submitting and waiting.
Source: IMM
