Australia Updates Skilled Visa Processing Priorities Under Ministerial Directions 121 and 122

• Australia has introduced new skilled visa processing priorities through Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, expanding priority processing for several industries and establishing separate frameworks for temporary and permanent skilled visas. 

Skilled Visa Processing Priorities 

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has revoked Ministerial Direction 119 and replaced it with Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, effective Sept. 19, 2026.  

The new directions establish separate processing frameworks for temporary skilled visas and permanent or provisional skilled visas. The changes apply to both new applications and eligible applications that have not yet been finalized.  

Expanded Priority Sectors 

Under the new directions, highest-priority processing will be given to applications involving occupations in: 

• Agriculture 
• Aquaculture 
• Australia’s defense interests 
• Australia’s law enforcement interests 
• Construction 
• Fishing 
• Healthcare 
• Teaching 
• Resources 

The government stated that these priorities are intended to support key industries and strategically important occupations that are in Australia’s national interest.  

Direction 121: Temporary Skilled Visas 

Direction 121 applies to the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa and the former Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa. Processing priority will generally be given in the following order: 

1. Applications in priority sectors and occupations. 
2. Applications filed under the Specialist Skills stream. 
3. Other primary applicant applications lodged while the applicant is in Australia. 
4. Certain primary applicant applications lodged from outside Australia. 
5. All other applications.  

Direction 122: Permanent and Provisional Skilled Visas 

Direction 122 applies to several skilled migration pathways, including Subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494. Processing priority will generally be as follows:  

1. Applications in priority sectors and occupations. 
2. Other primary applicant applications lodged while the applicant is in Australia. 
3. Certain primary applicant applications lodged from outside Australia. 
4. All other applications.  

Specialist Skills Stream Receives Additional Priority 

A notable change under Direction 121 is the creation of a dedicated processing tier for applications filed through the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa program.  

These applications will receive priority processing immediately after applications in designated priority sectors.  

Looking Ahead  

The replacement of Ministerial Direction 119 less than two months after it took effect highlights how quickly Australia’s skilled migration processing priorities can evolve in response to workforce and economic needs. Employers should monitor future updates to processing priorities and skilled migration policies. 

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