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Ministerial Direction 119: New Processing Priorities for Skilled Visa Applications

  • Aug 4
  • 4 min read

Crownmark Lawyers | Immigration Law Division


The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, which changes the order in which certain skilled visa and nomination applications are processed.

The Direction commenced on 25 July 2026 and replaced Ministerial Direction 105. It applies to eligible applications lodged from that date, as well as earlier applications that had not been finally determined.

A key change is that processing priority now depends on both:

  • the applicant’s nominated occupation; and

  • whether the applicant was inside or outside Australia when the application was lodged.


What Is Ministerial Direction 119?


Ministerial directions allow the Australian Government to determine the order in which visa applications are considered.


Direction 119 does not change the legal eligibility requirements for a visa. Instead, it determines which applications the Department should generally process first.

Receiving priority does not guarantee visa approval or a particular processing timeframe. Applicants must still meet all relevant requirements under Australian migration law.


The New Processing Priority Order


Ministerial directions allow the Australian Government to determine the order in which visa applications are considered.


Direction 119 does not change the legal eligibility requirements for a visa. Instead, it determines which applications the Department should generally process first.

Receiving priority does not guarantee visa approval or a particular processing timeframe. Applicants must still meet all relevant requirements under Australian migration law.


The New Processing Priority Order

Paragraph 8(3) of Direction 119 establishes the following processing order for the skilled visa subclasses listed in Schedule B.


First Priority

Applications connected with Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests where the primary applicant was in Australia when the application was lodged.


Second Priority

Applications connected with Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests where the primary applicant was outside Australia when the application was lodged.


Third Priority

Applications lodged by people who were in Australia and whose nominated occupation falls within one of the following sectors:

  • construction;

  • healthcare; or

  • teaching.


Fourth Priority

All other primary applicants who were in Australia when they applied.


Fifth Priority

All other primary applicants who were outside Australia when they applied.

Family members included in the same application generally receive the same processing priority as the primary applicant.


Why the Applicant’s Location Matters


One of the most important changes under Direction 119 is the distinction between onshore and offshore applicants.


An applicant who was in Australia when lodging their visa application will generally receive a higher processing priority than an applicant in the same broader category who applied from overseas.


For example, an applicant in a listed healthcare, teaching or construction occupation may receive third priority if they were in Australia when they lodged their application.

However, an applicant in the same occupation who lodged from outside Australia may fall within the fifth priority category, unless their application is connected with Australia’s defence or law enforcement interests.


The Direction considers the applicant’s location when the application was made. Moving to Australia after lodging an offshore application does not necessarily change its processing priority.


Priority Occupations


Direction 119 gives priority to specified occupations within the construction, healthcare and teaching sectors.


These categories include a range of occupations such as:

  • construction managers and selected construction trades;

  • architects, civil engineering professionals and building technicians;

  • medical practitioners, nurses and other health professionals;

  • aged and disability carers;

  • psychologists, counsellors and social workers;

  • school teachers, childcare workers and vocational education teachers.


The nominated occupation must fall within the relevant ANZSCO occupation groups or codes identified by the Direction.


Working generally within one of these industries does not automatically mean an application will receive priority. The applicant’s nominated occupation code must be checked carefully.


Visa Subclasses Covered


Schedule B includes several employer-sponsored, skilled and regional visa subclasses, including:


  • Employer Nomination Scheme visa, subclass 186;

  • Skilled Independent visa, subclass 189;

  • Skilled Nominated visa, subclass 190;

  • Permanent Residence Skilled Regional visa, subclass 191;

  • Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482;

  • Skilled Work Regional visa, subclass 491;

  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, subclass 494; and

  • Skilled Regional visa, subclass 887.


The Direction also applies to certain related employer nomination applications.



Processing Priority Is Not Visa Eligibility


Direction 119 only determines the order in which certain nominations and visa applications are considered and disposed of.


It does not:


  • Change the skilled occupation lists

  • Remove any visa eligibility requirements

  • Guarantee that an application will be approved

  • Provide a guaranteed processing timeframe

  • Correct missing documents or weaknesses in an application


Applicants must still satisfy all requirements under the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994. An application receiving a higher processing priority may still be refused if the relevant visa criteria are not met.


What Should Applicants Do?


  • Applicants should avoid making assumptions based only on their industry or job title.

  • The nominated occupation code, visa subclass and location at the time of lodgement may all affect the application’s position in the processing order.

  • Before lodging a new application, applicants should consider whether their circumstances fall within one of the priority categories. Those with an existing application may also wish to confirm how the Direction applies to their case and ensure all supporting documents remain complete and up to date.


Speak With Crownmark Lawyers


Crownmark Lawyers assists individuals, employers and businesses with skilled migration, employer sponsorship and visa applications across Australia.

Whether you are preparing a new application or have an existing skilled visa application awaiting a decision, our team can advise you on how Ministerial Direction 119 may apply to your circumstances.


Contact Crownmark Lawyers to arrange a consultation.







Nina Menon

Lawyer


| CONTACT US

Phone: 1800 884 751

From Overseas: +61 3 8595 4338


This article contains general information about Australian immigration law and is current as at July 2026. It is not legal advice and does not take account of your individual circumstances. For advice regarding your situation, contact Crownmark Lawyers or another qualified immigration practitioner.

 
 
 

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