What to Expect From Your First Australian Visa Application

If you have never applied for an Australian visa before, the process can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks it down into clear stages so you know exactly what to expect at each step, and what to prepare before you start.

Stage 1: Choose the right visa

Australia has over 100 visa subclasses. The most common for first-time applicants are:

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)for tourism, family visits, or business visitor activity. Fee: AUD $190. Processing: typically 2–8 weeks
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 or 462)for 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries) year olds who want to work and travel. Fee: AUD $840. Processing: typically a few weeks
Student Visa (Subclass 500)for studying at a CRICOS-registered institution. Fee: AUD $2,500 (general). Processing: 1–5 months depending on sector
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible NZ citizens. Fee: AUD $11,710. Processing: 20–48 months

Not sure which visa is right for you? Take our free visa assessment, which takes about 5 minutes and will recommend the best pathway for your situation.

Stage 2: Gather your documents

This is the stage that takes the most time, and the stage where most people underestimate what is needed. Every visa requires:

A valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
Passport-sized photograph meeting Australian specifications
Evidence of identity (birth certificate, national ID)
Financial evidence (bank statements, usually 3–6 months)
Police certificates from every country you have lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since age 16)
Health examination results (arranged through a Bupa Medical panel physician)

Start gathering these early. Police certificates can take 4–8 weeks to arrive from some countries. Health examinations require an appointment at a panel physician, and wait times vary by location.

Declare everything truthfully. If you have a criminal history, even if it is spent in your home country, you must disclose it. Under Section 85ZZH of the Crimes Act 1914, foreign spent convictions are not recognised for immigration purposes. Non-disclosure triggers PIC 4020, which carries a 3-year ban. The non-disclosure is treated as worse than the underlying offence.

Stage 3: Create an ImmiAccount and lodge

All Australian visa applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. You create an account, select your visa type, fill in the application form, upload your documents, and pay the Visa Application Charge.

Do not book flights before your visa is granted. The Department sees this as an overstay risk indicator, particularly for visitor visa applications. Book refundable flights or wait until grant.

Stage 4: Health examinations and biometrics

After lodging, you will receive a HAP ID (Health Assessment Portal identifier). Use this to book an appointment with a Bupa Medical panel physician in your country. The standard examination includes:

A general medical examination (Form 26)
A chest X-ray (Form 160) for applicants 11 years and older
HIV test for applicants 15 years and older (some visa types)
Additional tests if requested (e.g. hepatitis, TB follow-up)

Many applicants also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a VFS Global or Australian Visa Application Centre. You will receive a letter telling you if this is required and how to arrange it.

Stage 5: Wait and respond to requests

Processing times vary significantly by visa type:

Visa	25% decided	50% decided	90% decided
Visitor (600)	17 days	24 days	61 days
Working Holiday (417/462)	19 days	28 days	76 days
Student (500)	29 days	48 days	4 months
Partner (820/801)	20 months	27 months	48 months

Processing times move constantly and vary by individual circumstances. Figures current as at July 2026. Check the Department's current global visa processing times before relying on these.

During the waiting period, the Department may send a Request for Further Information (RFI). This is normal: it means they need additional documents or clarification. The letter will state your deadline (this varies by visa type and circumstance, so always check the letter rather than assuming a fixed number). Do not miss this deadline. If you need more time, request an extension before the deadline expires.

Stage 6: Decision

You will receive a visa grant notification by email if your application is approved. This letter will state your visa subclass, grant date, conditions, and expiry. Read the conditions carefully, as they are legally binding.

If your application is refused, the refusal letter will state the reasons and whether you have review rights (the right to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal). Appeal deadlines are strict, usually 21 or 28 days from the date of the decision. If you receive a refusal, seek professional advice immediately.

Tips for first-time applicants

Start early: police certificates and health exams take weeks
Use a checklist: missing a single document can add weeks to processing
Be truthful: non-disclosure is worse than the issue itself
Keep copies of everything you submit
Check your email regularly, including spam, for Department communications
Do not book non-refundable flights before grant

Not sure which visa is right for you?

Take our free visa assessment to find the right pathway for your situation. It takes about 5 minutes and covers every major visa type.

About the Author

Matilda, MARN 0958254

A Registered Migration Agent with 16+ years in migration and thousands of consultations across every major visa pathway.

General information only, not personal migration advice. Processing times and fees are current as at July 2026 but change periodically. Always confirm the current information on the Department of Home Affairs website.