Question about REAL processing times!

Hello
I will be applying for my spouse visa next year through the Australian Embassy in London
I know I'm able to apply for residency straight away as I have 5 years proof of our relationship
I've read up on everything we'll need to do

My question is - what is your experience with how long processing actually is? rather than what the embassy tells you?

How long did it take for the medical info to come back?
How about the UK criminal check?
Did anyone do a USA check as well? I'm wondering how long the actual processing time will be?
And how long for the whole process?

I'm thinking I will front load my application - and turn in the ap with my medical & criminal checks already completed. The reason I want to do it this way is to hopefully speed up the process and get it approved asap. We're planning on going on an 8 month trip on our way to Oz, so I really only have 4 months to get it all processed (since I know the visa expires when the med/criminal checks expire - in 1 year).

Thanks in Advance!

check out the site http://www.austimeline.com/aus/opener.jsp
it is very useful for seeing how others australian visa applications are going!

R/e the medical checks, I did mine in Australia and it took about 1 week to get the checks back. Dont know about UK.

and like you said the Police Clearance checks and Medical checks is that they are only valid for a year. My Australian visa appliation too 12 months to be processed, and others take longer. It is therefore possible that you will have to repeat (and pay again) for your police clearance checks!

But i guess for a Spouse visa, the application processing time should be significantly shorter!