Australia Revises Skilled Visa Processing Priorities: New Directions 121 and 122 Take Effect September 19
Updated: 3 hours ago
CANBERRA, September 19, 2026 — Australia has introduced two new Ministerial Directions that revamp the processing priorities for both temporary and permanent skilled visa applications, extending priority treatment to a wider array of occupations such as resources, agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing.
The Directions — Ministerial Direction 121 and Ministerial Direction 122 — take effect on September 19, 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 119. They are applicable to applications submitted on or after that date, as well as to earlier applications that have not yet been finalized.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: Five Priority Groups
Ministerial Direction 121 outlines a five-level processing hierarchy for Subclass 482 applications:
Priority Group | Category | Key Details |
Group 1 | Priority-sector occupations | Primary applicants, whether onshore or offshore, are given the same priority |
Group 2 | Specialist Skills Stream | Applications meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (AUD 146,576/year) |
Group 3 | Other onshore applications | Applicant was in Australia when filed |
Group 4 | Unaccompanied offshore applications | Applicant was offshore and did not include family members |
Group 5 | All other Subclass 482 applications | Residual category |
Expanded Priority Sectors
The priority sectors now include:
Sector | Notable Additions |
Defence | AUKUS-related positions, expanded to include certain other ADF or Defence-supported roles |
Law Enforcement | Unchanged |
Healthcare | Unchanged |
Teaching | Now includes Faculty Head |
Construction | Now includes Engineering Manager, Civil Engineering Draftsperson, Civil Engineering Technician |
Resources | Newly added |
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing | Newly added |
Permanent, Regional and Other Skilled Visas: Four Priority Groups
Ministerial Direction 122 is applicable to the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional), as well as specific independent, state-nominated, regional, and business-skills visas.
Priority Group | Category |
Group 1 | Priority-sector occupations (as identified under Direction 121) |
Group 2 | Other onshore applications |
Group 3 | Unaccompanied offshore applications (no family members included) |
Group 4 | All other applications included in the Direction |
Family Members Now Affect Priority
A significant new element is the treatment of family members. Offshore applicants who do not include family members in their application are placed in a higher priority group than those who do.
This means employers and applicants should consider whether dependants will be included, as this may directly affect processing priority.
What the Changes Do — and Don't Do
Aspect | Impact |
Processing order | Changed |
Visa eligibility requirements | Unchanged |
Skilled occupation lists | Unchanged |
Processing time guarantees | Not provided |
The Directions determine the sequence in which the Department of Home Affairs reviews applications, but they do not ensure a specific processing time or influence whether an applicant satisfies the visa requirements.
Exceptions to the Processing Order
The Department may deviate from the established order in specific situations that include:
Compelling circumstances affecting community safety
Ongoing provision of vital religious, cultural, or community services in Australia
Australia's international relations
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
New Directions | Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 |
Effective Date | September 19, 2026 |
Replaces | Ministerial Direction 119 |
Subclass 482 Groups | 5 priority groups |
Subclass 186/494 Groups | 4 priority groups |
New Priority Sectors | Resources; Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing |
Specialist Skills Stream | Separate priority group (Group 2) |
Family Members | Offshore applicants without family rank higher |
Eligibility Impact | None |
REead Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Visa Processing Priorities | |
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa | |
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme | |
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional |
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