Student Visa Processing Priorities: What You Need to Know (2025)

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has updated the processing priorities for Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications. Understanding these priorities can help students plan their applications and know what to expect. 

Need help checking your visa priority or understanding your processing time? Reach out to Legacy and our team will guide you. 

Applications Lodged by Students Inside Australia 

Student visa applications lodged inside Australia are generally assessed in the order they are lodged, based on the date of lodgement. Processing times can vary depending on factors such as application completeness, verification checks, and peak periods. 

For an idea of how long your application may take, you can use the visa processing time guide tool. This is a guide only and not specific to your case. 

Applications Lodged by Students Outside Australia 

Applications lodged outside Australia are processed based on government priorities. 

• Before 14 November 2025: priorities are outlined in Ministerial Direction 111 (MD111). 

• On or after 14 November 2025: priorities are outlined in Ministerial Direction 115 (MD115). 

  
  

Note: Ministerial Directions set the order of processing, not the criteria for visa approval or refusal. 

Priorities under MD111 

Applications under MD111 have two priority levels: 

Priority 1 – High includes: 

• School students 

• Non-award sector students (short-term exchange) 

• Standalone ELICOS students 

• TAFE students (or specific Charles Darwin University TAFE courses) 

• Pilot training courses* 

• Postgraduate research (PhD) students 

• DFAT and Department of Defence sponsored students 

• Scholarship students (foreign and Australian) 

• Transnational education students 

• Students from Pacific nations and Timor-Leste** 

• Applications including a minor (<18 years) 

• Higher Education and VET students at providers below their prioritisation threshold 

Priority 2 – Standard includes: 

• Higher Education and VET students at providers that have reached their 2025 prioritisation threshold 

• Applications without a minor 

Pilot courses: Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplane/Helicopter), Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating), Diploma of Aviation (Flight Instructor)  *Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu 

Priorities under MD115 

Applications under MD115 have three priority levels: 

• Priority 1: Same as MD111 Priority 1 

• Priority 2: Students at providers who have reached 80% of their New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) allocation 

• Priority 3: Students at providers who have exceeded NOSC allocation by 15% 

  
  

Your priority level is determined at the time of lodgement and does not change depending on the visa outcome. 

Unsure what your priority level is? Contact Legacy and we can help you understand how your provider’s status affects your visa. 

Processing Times 

Typical processing times in 2025: 

• Priority 1: 1–4 weeks 

• Priority 2: 5–8 weeks 

• Priority 3: 9–12 weeks 

  
  

Processing times can change due to: 

• Application volume 

• Verification checks 

• Completeness of documents 

• Identity, health, and character requirements 

  
  

Packaged Courses 

For students applying for a package of courses, the priority is based on the main course CoE (usually the final course). 

MD111 Example: 

• ELICOS at Provider A 

• Diploma at Provider B 

• Bachelor at University X starting 2026 

  
  

Priority is determined by University X at the time of lodgement: 

• Below threshold → Priority 1 

• At threshold → Priority 2 

  
  

MD115 Example: 

• ELICOS at Provider E 

• Bachelor at University Z starting 2027 

  
  

Priority is determined by University Z and its progress towards its yearly allocation: 

• Below threshold → Priority 1 

• At threshold → Priority 2 or 3 

For more information on packaged courses, visit Subclass 500 Student visa. 

Legacy’s Perspective 

At Legacy, we understand that navigating student visa priorities can feel confusing. That’s why we focus on: 

• Explaining your priority level clearly 

• Ensuring your documents are complete and correct 

• Guiding you through packaged course applications 

  
  

Our goal is to make the visa process smoother, faster, and stress-free, so you can focus on preparing for your study journey in Australia.  

Understanding processing priorities can help you manage expectations and ensure your visa application is lodged properly and on time. Always check your provider’s prioritisation status and submit complete, accurate documentation to avoid delays. 

Planning to lodge your student visa soon? Contact Legacy today and we’ll help make sure your application is on the right track. 

Need advice on packaged courses or priority levels? Legacy’s team can guide you step by step. 

The information, updates, news, and advice provided are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalised guidance. For accurate advice regarding your specific migration case, we invite you to reach out to us directly by sending a message through this link: https://www.legacymigration.com.au/take-your-first-step-to-living-working-or-studying-in-australia

Migration Agents Registration Number: 1797357

QEAC Number: S041