Decision Ready Checklist

This provision is provided to Registered migration agents in Australia, who will certify that the application which is submitted is decision ready. For such application a priority is provided and the case officer is assigned in 12 days to 30 days based on the visa subclass priority and the bulk of applications pending.

The key to a swift visa application approval is to submit all papers correctly. DIAC refers to such applications as “decision ready” applications. This means that all of the paperwork and evidence required by the case officer to make a decision is submitted with the application. Applicants should be aware that if a case officer requires more information, they will contact the applicant and ask for that extra information to be submitted within 28 days. Even if the applicant provides the necessary information the next day, the case officer will not re-visit the application until the 28th day.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and eVisitor visas are approved very quickly. Applications made online are often approved instantly. Online applications should be used where possible because it reduces the amount of time required to communicate between applicants and DIAC case officers.

In early 2011, applications for General skilled migration (GSM) visas were taking about 10 months to approve, when lodged in the normal process. If it is an onshore application and a decision ready application and comes under the DIACS priority arrangement, then the applications are processed promptly.