A significant change has been introduced to the processing of Australian skilled visa applications.
Ministerial Direction 119 came into effect on 25 July 2026, replacing the processing priorities previously established under Direction 105. Importantly, it applies to applications already on hand as well as new applications.
The Direction determines the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes nomination and visa applications for certain skilled visas. It now expressly includes the Skills in Demand (SID) subclass 482 visa program.
What is the new processing order?
Under Direction 119, relevant skilled visa applications are processed in the following order:
Priority 1 – Onsore law enforcement and defence applications
Applications supporting Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant or nominee was in Australia at the time of application receive the highest priority.
Priority 2 – Offshore law enforcement and defence applications
Applications supporting Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant or nominee was outside Australia at the time of application receive the second-highest priority.
Priority 3 – Onshore priority-sector occupations
Applications relating to construction, healthcare or teaching occupations receive the third level of priority where the applicant or nominee was in Australia at the time of application.
Priority 4 – Other onshore applications
All other relevant nomination and skilled visa applications where the applicant or nominee was in Australia at the time of application are considered next.
Priority 5 – Other offshore applications
All remaining applications where the applicant or nominee was outside Australia at the time of application receive the final level of priority under the Direction.
In practical terms, an onshore applicant may receive a processing advantage over an offshore applicant within the same occupational category. However, priority processing does not guarantee a decision within a particular timeframe and does not alter the legal criteria that must be satisfied for visa approval.
Which occupations receive priority?
Ministerial Direction 119 prioritises specified occupations across the healthcare, teaching and construction sectors where the applicant or nominee was in Australia at the time of application.
Healthcare occupations
The healthcare category covers a broad range of occupations, including:
- Health professionals
- Medical scientists
- Medical technicians
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Counsellors
- Aged or disabled carers
- Nursing support workers
- Personal care assistants
The inclusion of these occupations reflects their importance in supporting Australia’s healthcare, disability and aged-care systems.
Teaching occupations
Priority teaching occupations include:
- School teachers
- School principals
- Child care centre managers
- Child care workers
- Vocational education teachers
- University lecturers
Their inclusion recognises continuing workforce needs across Australia’s education, training and early-childhood sectors.
Construction occupations
Construction occupations are also prioritised in recognition of Australia’s housing, development and infrastructure needs. Relevant occupations include:
- Construction managers
- Architects
- Civil engineers
- Building and surveying technicians
- Safety inspectors
- Structural steel and welding trades workers
- Sheetmetal workers
- Earthmoving plant operators
- Crane operators
- Electricians
Applicants and employers should confirm that the particular occupation falls within the categories specified by Direction 119. Inclusion within a priority sector affects the order of processing only; it does not guarantee visa approval or a particular processing timeframe.
What does this mean for applicants and employers?
The changes demonstrate the Government’s focus on national security, essential public services and sectors experiencing significant workforce shortages.
For applicants, location at the time of application may now materially affect processing priority. An onshore applicant may receive priority over an offshore applicant, even where both applications relate to the same visa subclass.
For sponsoring employers, particularly those operating in construction, healthcare or education, the changes may support earlier consideration of applications involving eligible onshore workers.
However, processing priority should not be confused with visa eligibility or guaranteed processing times. Every application must still satisfy the relevant legislative criteria, and processing can be affected by application completeness, health and character checks, information requests and the complexity of the matter.
A higher priority does not guarantee approval or a decision within a particular timeframe.
Planning your skilled visa strategy?
Applicants and employers should obtain advice about:
- Whether Direction 119 applies to the proposed visa
- The applicant’s location at the time of lodgement
- Whether the nominated occupation falls within a priority sector
- The timing of the nomination and visa applications
- The documents required for a decision-ready application
Careful planning remains essential. Lodging an incomplete application simply to obtain a perceived processing advantage may create unnecessary risk.
If you are considering a skilled or employer-sponsored visa application, JS Migration can help you understand how Direction 119 may affect your proposed pathway.
Please contact JS Migration on 07 3073 1410 to arrange an assessment of your circumstances.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. Visa requirements and processing arrangements may change. Individual advice should be obtained before lodging an application.
Source: Department of Home Affairs – Skilled visa processing priorities