Skilled Visa Processing Priorities in Australia: Which Ministerial Direction Applies to Your Visa
Updated: Oct 6
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Home Affairs processes skilled visa applications in an order set by Ministerial Directions made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958.
Since 19 September 2026, two Directions set the order for most skilled visas:
Ministerial Direction 121 for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa
Ministerial Direction 122 for provisional and permanent skilled visas, including the 189, 190, 491, 186 and 494
Together, they replaced Ministerial Direction 119.
Key takeaways Applications in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, and in Australia's law enforcement and defence interests, are processed first. After that, applicants who were in Australia when they applied come before applicants who were outside Australia. The 482 Specialist Skills stream has its own priority level under MD121. Processing priorities change the order of processing only. They do not change who is eligible for a visa.
This page tracks the Directions currently in force. We update it whenever Home Affairs replaces a Direction.
Which Ministerial Direction applies to my visa?
Direction | In effect since | Visas covered | Guide |
Ministerial Direction 121 | 19 September 2026 | Skills in Demand (subclass 482); Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) | |
Ministerial Direction 122 | 19 September 2026 | Subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888 | |
Ministerial Direction 120 | 25 July 2026 | National Innovation (subclass 858), plus Global Talent and Distinguished Talent applications already lodged | |
Ministerial Direction 114 | 12 February 2025 | Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) and Business Talent (subclass 132) applications already lodged |
The Global Talent, Distinguished Talent, 188 and 132 visas are closed to new applications. MD120 and MD114 only set the order for applications already in the system.
MD122 priority order: 189, 190, 491, 186, 494 and other skilled visas
Ministerial Direction 122 sets four priority levels, from highest to lowest:
Priority sectors. Applications where the primary applicant's occupation is in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or relates to Australia's law enforcement or defence interests.
Primary applicant in Australia. All other applications where the primary applicant was in Australia when they applied.
Primary applicant outside Australia, applying alone. Applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia when they applied and the application was never combined with another person's application.
All other applications.
Family members who apply in a combined application get the same priority as the primary applicant.
It covers these visas:
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494)
Skilled Regional (subclass 887)
Business Skills (Permanent) (subclass 888)
Which occupations count as priority sectors?
MD122 defines each priority sector by ANZSCO codes or by the nature of the nominated position. Examples from the Direction include:
Construction: construction trades workers (ANZSCO 33), construction and mining labourers (82), construction managers (1331), architects and landscape architects (2321), civil engineering professionals (2332), and electricians (341111, 341112)
Healthcare: health and welfare support workers (411), medical scientists (2346), counsellors (2721), psychologists (2723), social workers (2725), aged or disabled carers (423111), nursing support workers (423312) and personal care assistants (423313)
Teaching: school teachers (241), child care centre managers (1341), university lecturers (242111), vocational education teachers (242211) and child care workers (421111)
Resources: geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists (2344), drillers, miners and shot firers (7122), production managers (mining) (133513), surveyors (232212), and metal fitters and machinists (323211, 323212, 323213, 323214, 323299)
Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing: a nominated position directly involved in producing primary produce or supporting that production, such as growing crops, raising livestock or seafood, farm supervision, or processing livestock and seafood
Law enforcement: police (ANZSCO 4413) nominated or sponsored by a listed Australian police force
Defence: occupations linked to AUKUS Pillar I or II, or nominated, sponsored or supported by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence
These are examples only. Check your exact ANZSCO code against the full MD122 text, or search it in our skilled occupation list tool.
Exceptions
A delegate must move an application out of the normal order if it involves compelling circumstances affecting community safety, or the continuity of essential religious, cultural or community services in Australia.
MD121 priority order: the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa
Ministerial Direction 121 sets five priority levels, from highest to lowest:
Priority sectors. The same priority sectors as MD122: construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence.
Specialist Skills stream. Applications in the Skills in Demand Specialist Skills stream.
Primary applicant in Australia. All other applications where the primary applicant was in Australia when they applied.
Primary applicant outside Australia, applying alone. Applications never combined with another person's application.
All other applications.
Read more in our 482 Skills in Demand visa guide.
What the priority order looks like in practice
Home Affairs publishes the lodgement dates it is currently processing for each priority group on each visa page.
For example, on the subclass 190 page, Home Affairs reports it is processing applications lodged in or before:
March 2026: priority sectors
January 2026: primary applicant in Australia when they applied
February 2025: primary applicant outside Australia, application not combined with another person's
February 2025: all other applications from applicants outside Australia
Home Affairs notes that these dates may fluctuate while it moves applications to the new priorities.
For processing timeframes, see our 190 visa guide and our visa processing times tool.
Do processing priorities change visa eligibility?
No. MD122 states that it does not change the skilled occupation lists. You still need to meet every requirement in the Migration Act and Migration Regulations to be granted a visa.
A priority occupation moves your application up the queue. It does not make a weak application stronger.
How skilled visa processing priorities have changed
Direction | In effect | What it prioritised |
Ministerial Direction 105 | 14 December 2023 to 24 July 2026 | Regional employer-sponsored positions, healthcare and teaching occupations, and Accredited Sponsors |
25 July 2026 to 18 September 2026 | Law enforcement and defence first, then priority sectors, with applicants in Australia ahead of applicants outside Australia | |
MD121 and MD122 | From 19 September 2026 | Priority sectors first regardless of location, then applicants in Australia (MD121 also gives priority to the 482 Specialist Skills stream) |
MD119 removed the regional and Accredited Sponsor priorities that applied under MD105. MD121 and MD122 then moved priority sector applications to the top, whether the applicant was in or outside Australia.
Other Ministerial Directions that are not about skilled processing
Family visas: a separate Direction sets the processing order. See family visa processing priorities.
Ministerial Direction 123: sets how decision-makers handle character-based visa refusals and cancellations from 31 October 2026. It does not change processing order. See Ministerial Direction 123.
All Directions: see how Ministerial Directions affect your visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current skilled visa processing priority order?
Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 sets the order for permanent and provisional skilled visas, and Ministerial Direction 121 sets the order for the 482 visa. Priority sector applications come first, then applicants who were in Australia when they applied.
Does Ministerial Direction 122 apply to the 190 visa?
Yes. MD122 covers the subclass 190, together with the 186, 187, 189, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888.
Is Ministerial Direction 119 still in force?
No. MD121 revoked Ministerial Direction 119, and MD121 and MD122 replaced its priorities from 19 September 2026.
Is Ministerial Direction 105 still in force?
No. Ministerial Direction 119 replaced MD105 on 25 July 2026, and MD121 and MD122 replaced MD119 on 19 September 2026.
Do applicants in Australia get priority?
Yes, outside the priority sectors. Under MD122, applicants who were in Australia when they applied come second, after priority sector applications. Priority sector applications come first whether the applicant applied in or outside Australia.
Do family members get the same priority as the main applicant?
Yes. Family members in a combined application get the same priority as the primary applicant.
Does a priority occupation guarantee my visa?
No. Processing priorities only change the order in which Home Affairs considers applications. You still need to meet every visa requirement.
Need advice on where your application sits in the queue? Our Registered Migration Agents can review your occupation, location and application history. Book a consultation.
This information is general and does not constitute migration advice. Processing priorities can change without notice. Always check the Home Affairs skilled visa processing priorities page before you rely on it.
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