Key Updates from the Recent Quarterly Meeting Between the Australian Immigration Department and MIA
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) recently held its quarterly meeting with MIA, sharing the latest visa processing data, quota usage, and updates on multiple visa policies. To help applicants and professionals better understand immigration trends, we have summarized the key points below:
1️⃣ Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
Invitations are expected to be issued once per quarter this financial year
Another round of invitations is planned before the end of 2025
2️⃣ Visa Processing Overview
Permanent visas: 53.42% processed within 1 year
Temporary visas: 97.65% processed within 1 year (Visitor visas can be approved in as little as 1 day)
3️⃣ Specific Visa Updates
Partner Visas
Processing times extended due to increased applications and quota limits
Expedited processing available for special cases through MIA
Child Visas
Processing time extended to 22-28 months due to quota limits and ART review
Temporary Skill Visas
Specialist Skills: median processing time 19 days
Core Skills: median processing time 90 days
Original TSS: 5,000 backlog cases expected to be cleared by end of 2025
Student Visas
Lodged from outside Australia:
Priority 1: ~4 weeks
Priority 2: ~8 weeks
Lodged from within Australia: currently processing applications submitted in March-April; expected processing time 3-4 months
Total applications down by ~30%, around 427,000 in total
Skilled Migration Visas
Processing times showing a slight increase
Regional migration reforms are under consultation with states
State quotas not yet finalized
Working Holiday Visas (WHV)
Average processing time: 27 days
NIV Visas
As of 15 August: 225 invitations issued from 8,200 EOIs received
Bridging Visa B
Processing has slowed; applicants are advised to submit 2-4 weeks in advance
4️⃣ Summary & Recommendations
Significant differences in processing times exist across visa categories – prepare your documents early
Keep track of updates from DHA and MIA, especially regarding state nomination quotas
Plan your submission timing carefully to avoid delays affecting travel plans or visa continuity
📞Ph: +61 (03) 8108 3678
🌐LINK: www.pandamigration.com/contact-us
📧E-mail: service@pandamigration.com