We applied (visa 173) the last week of June 2018 and our application was then date stamped 3 July 2018. On 27 July 2018 we were instructed to make the first payment which we made on the same day.
When we applied, the processing time was communicated as an estimated 38 months (worst case scenario). In May 2021 we received a request to confirm a specific document and then two months later we received a letter confirming that the date in May when the additional information was requested is now deemed to be our queueing date.
Both our children are Australian citizens. They have worked and lived in Australia for 15 and 11 years respectively. My husband (main applicant) only has these two children. I have no children besides the two stepchildren. I am 13 years my husband’s junior and would have liked to contribute to the Australian economy: I am a qualified secondary Mathematics teacher and have experience as a Human Resources Manager / Business Partner.
In order to be able to see our children more frequently, I applied for a master’s degree (even though I already have an MBA) at a university in Western Australia. I had to apply for my husband as a dependent on my student visa so he could at least spend time with his children and grandchildren. Due to the extended border closures in Western Australia, we were unable to celebrate our grandchildren’s 21st birthdays or see how our youngest granddaughter got her first 50 runs in a cricket match.
If the Australian Government kept their promise with regards to the processing time of 38 months, we could have had our PR by now reducing the cost of my studies substantially as international students pay double the fees of a domestic student.
Family and friends who applied for a normal visa 600 visitor visa in November 2021 and February 2022 respectively are still waiting for feedback on their visa to be processed. The standard status of “Further assessment” is displayed from the day after they submitted their biometrics.
I trust this will assist you with the required processing plead to the Australian government.
Regards,
Mariette V.