International Students
Student Visa Processing
We strongly recommend you submit your application as early as possible, ideally 6 to 9 months before your intended course start date. This allows enough time for visa processing and any unexpected delays.
If your visa is still being processed when your course is due to start, Access Recognised Training Australia can defer your place to the next available intake.
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The processing time for an Australian Student Visa (subclass 500) varies depending on several factors, including the type of course, the applicant's country of origin, and the completeness of the application.
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For students applying to vocational education and training (VET) programs, visa processing times can be up to 8 months, although many applications are decided sooner.
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Factors Influencing Processing Times:
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Completeness of the application: Submitting all required documents and information can expedite the process.
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Health and character requirements: Delays can occur if additional checks are needed.
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Volume of applications: Peak periods may lead to longer processing times.
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Government factors: Applications to certain institutions or courses may be prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 111 which gives training providers limits on how many student applications they will prioritise.