On 18 September 2026, the Australian Government introduced two new Ministerial Directions that significantly change the priority processing order for many skilled visa applications. These Directions have superceded previous Ministerial Direction 119.
For employers sponsoring overseas workers, and for visa applicants waiting for decisions, these changes may have a substantial impact on processing times.
What Are Ministerial Directions 121 and 122?
Ministerial Direction 121
Ministerial Direction 121 applies to employer-sponsored Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa. It replaces former Ministerial Direction 119 and commenced the day after being signed. It also applies to applications already lodged and not finally determined at the time it commenced.
Ministerial Direction 122
Ministerial Direction 122 applies to a broad range of permanent and provisional skilled visas, including:
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated
- Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
- Other related skilled and business migration visas
Most importantly for employers, the Subclass 186 ENS visa is now included in the new priority processing framework.
Priority Order for 482 Skills in Demand Visa Applications
Under Direction 121, applications are processed in the following order:
Priority 1
Applications relating to occupations in:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Teaching
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Fishing
- Resources
- Australia’s law enforcement interests
- Australia’s defence interests
These occupations now receive the highest processing priority.
It is important to note that priority processing is not automatically available to every occupation within these sectors. Each Ministerial Direction contains specific occupation groups and ANZSCO classifications that must be met for an application to receive Priority 1 processing.
Priority 2
Subclass 482 applications lodged under the Specialist Skills stream, which is those receiving a base salary of at least $146,576 per annum.
Priority 3
All other primary applicants who were in Australia when they lodged their visa application.
Priority 4
Applicants outside Australia who lodged alone (without family members included in the application).
Priority 5
All other applications.
Priority Order for 186 ENS and Other Permanent Skilled Visas
Under Direction 122, the processing order is:
Priority 1
Applications relating to occupations in:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Teaching
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Fishing
- Resources
- Australia’s law enforcement interests
- Australia’s defence interests
Priority 2
All other primary applicants who were in Australia when they lodged.
Priority 3
Applicants outside Australia who lodged alone.
Priority 4
All other applications.
Unlike the 482 program, there is no separate Specialist Skills priority under Direction 122.
While Employer Sponsored visas such as the Subclass 186 and 494 are included in Direction 122, the changes are also relevant to many independent skilled migrants.
Applicants pursuing a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa may also benefit from the new processing priorities where their occupation falls within one of the identified priority sectors.
This means the changes have implications not only for employers and sponsored workers, but also for skilled migrants pursuing state nominated or independent permanent residence pathways.
What Does This Mean for Applications Already Lodged?
One of the most important provisions in both Directions is that they apply not only to new applications, but also to applications that were already lodged and remain undecided.
This means:
✅ Pending 482 applications in priority occupations may move ahead of non-priority applications already in processing queues
✅ Pending 186 ENS applications in priority occupations may also benefit from accelerated processing
✅ Applicants who lodged months ago may suddenly see movement on their applications if their occupation falls within one of the new priority sectors
At the same time, applications outside these priority sectors may experience slower processing if Departmental resources are redirected towards higher-priority occupations.
What Does This Mean for New Applications?
For employers yet to lodge sponsorship applications, the new Directions create a clear incentive to identify whether a nominated occupation falls within one of the priority categories.
Applicants in:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Teaching
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Fishing
- Resources
- Defence-related occupations
- Law enforcement-related occupations
However, it is important to remember that priority processing does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still meet all legislative requirements and satisfy the relevant visa criteria.
These new Ministerial Directions are a welcome change to the previous Ministerial Direction released in July. The Government has recognised that construction, healthcare, education, agriculture and resource-sector workforce needs are central to Australia’s economic and social priorities.
For employers sponsoring workers under the 482 or 186 programs, and for skilled workers considering their migration pathway, understanding whether an occupation falls within one of these priority categories has become more important than ever.
If you have a pending application or are considering applying under the skilled temporary, provisional or permanent visa programs, obtaining advice before lodging can help ensure your application is positioned correctly under the new priority processing framework.