Skilled visa processing times in Australia have changed. From 25 July 2026, new skilled visa processing priorities decide which nomination and visa applications the Department of Home Affairs looks at first.
This is set out in Ministerial Direction 119, which has replaced the previous rules in Direction 105.
If you have a skilled visa or nomination application on hand, this change may affect how soon it's considered. This guide explains the new priority order in plain English, which visas it covers, and what you should check right now.
What is Ministerial Direction 119?
A Ministerial Direction is a legal instrument. It is made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958.
It tells Department of Home Affairs staff, called delegates, in what order to consider certain applications.
Direction 119 does not change visa eligibility criteria. You still need to meet all the normal requirements for your visa or nomination. Direction 119 only changes the order that applications are looked at.
Direction 119 was signed by Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, on 24 July 2026. It commenced the next day, on 25 July 2026.
Why are visa processing priorities important?
Processing priority affects the order of your application in the queue. It does not guarantee that your visa will be approved.
The Government says Australia's skilled migration program should support key industries and the national interest. Under Direction 119, law enforcement and defence occupations come first. Construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations come next.
Your location matters too. Applicants already in Australia get higher priority than applicants applying from outside Australia, at every level. This affects skilled migrants everywhere, including applicants in India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the United States.
Direction 119 does not set fixed visa processing times — it sets the order applications are looked at. For background on how many skilled visa places are available this year, see our guide to Australia's 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program planning levels.
Skilled visa processing priorities: the 5 levels explained
Direction 119 sets out 5 priority levels for skilled nomination and visa applications. Level 1 is considered first. Level 5 is considered last.
- Law enforcement or defence occupation, and the applicant is in Australia.
- Law enforcement or defence occupation, and the applicant is outside Australia.
- Construction, healthcare, or teaching occupation, and the applicant is in Australia.
- Any other application, and the applicant is in Australia.
- Any other application, and the applicant is outside Australia.
So what does this mean for you? If your occupation and location match a higher level, your application should generally be looked at sooner than applications in a lower level.
Level | Occupation category | Applicant location |
|---|---|---|
1 | Law enforcement or defence | In Australia |
2 | Law enforcement or defence | Outside Australia |
3 | Construction, healthcare or teaching | In Australia |
4 | Any other occupation | In Australia |
5 | Any other occupation | Outside Australia |
Which occupations get the highest priority?
Direction 119 groups occupations into categories using Australia's official job classification system, called ANZSCO. Below are example roles for each category, not a full list.
Law enforcement and defence occupations (priority one and two)
- Police officers nominated or sponsored by the Australian Federal Police or a state or territory police force.
- Defence roles connected to the AUKUS submarine program or advanced military capability projects.
- Defence Force members nominated or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or Department of Defence, such as commissioned and senior non-commissioned officers.
Construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations (priority three)
These 3 categories share the same priority level. Examples include:
- Construction: carpenters, electricians, civil engineers, construction managers, crane operators, and safety inspectors.
- Healthcare: nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers, aged and disability carers, and personal care assistants.
- Teaching: school teachers, school principals, university lecturers, and child care workers.
For more on in-demand health roles, see our guide to health occupations that can lead to permanent residency in Australia.
These categories are broad. If you're unsure whether your occupation qualifies, check with an immigration lawyer or registered migration agent.
Which visa subclasses does Direction 119 cover?
Direction 119 covers 2 types of applications: nomination applications and visa applications.
Nomination applications
Direction 119 covers nomination applications for the:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa (closed to new applicants)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa
Visa applications
Direction 119 also covers visa applications for the:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa (closed to new applicants)
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa
- Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa
- Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa
If your visa isn't on either list, Direction 119 doesn't apply to you. Business and talent visas, like the National Innovation (subclass 858) visa, are covered by separate directions.
What's changed from Direction 105?
The biggest change is for the 482 visa. The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is now covered by these processing priorities. While the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa was covered by Direction 105 and this likely influenced processing of SID 482 visas, SID 482 was not specifically covered under Direction 105. If you hold or are applying for a 482 visa, this is an important update for you.
Direction 119 also applies to applications made, but not yet decided, before 25 July 2026. This means an application you lodged months ago may now be considered under the new order, not the old one.
When Direction 119 doesn't apply
Direction 119 does not apply to every application. It does not apply if:
- your case was sent back by the AAT or ART for reconsideration
- the AAT or ART already set aside the decision and made a new one
- it's already clear you don't meet the visa or nomination criteria
- you're a family member applying separately from the main applicant
- your nomination is about changing employer
So what does this mean for you? If one of these applies to your case, it's assessed on its own facts. The priority order above doesn't apply.
How to check current visa processing times
Direction 119 sets the order of priority. It does not publish exact processing times.
For an estimate, use the Department's Visa Processing Times Guide. You enter your visa type, stream, and application date. The tool shows how long recently decided applications took to process. It does not guarantee your application will be finalised in that time.
This tool is updated monthly, so check back for the latest figures.
What should you do next?
If you have a skilled visa or nomination application on hand, don't assume nothing has changed for you.
You should check:
- whether your occupation falls into a priority category
- whether you're inside or outside Australia
- whether your visa subclass is listed under Direction 119
- your visa processing times using the Department's tool
- whether your application is complete and ready for a decision
If your occupation or location places you in a lower priority level, your application may take longer.
Can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Yes. Work Visa Lawyers can help you understand how Direction 119 affects your application.
We can assist with:
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa applications
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa applications
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa applications
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa applications
- reviewing your application so it's complete and ready for a decision
Processing priorities can be hard to work out for your specific case. Advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer can help you understand where you stand.
FAQ: Skilled Visa Processing Times and Priorities (2026)
What is Ministerial Direction 119?
Ministerial Direction 119 is a legal instrument that sets the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes certain skilled visa nomination and visa applications. It commenced on 25 July 2026 and replaced Direction 105. It does not change visa eligibility rules.
Has Direction 105 been replaced?
Yes. Direction 105 was revoked and replaced by Direction 119 from 25 July 2026. Direction 105 had applied since 14 December 2023.
Does Direction 119 apply to the 482 visa?
Yes. The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is now covered under Direction 119. This is new. It was not covered under Direction 105.
Should I apply for my visa while I'm in Australia?
Applying while you're in Australia can give you higher priority under Direction 119. But you still need to meet all visa requirements, including any condition about where you can apply from. Get advice before changing your plans.
What happens if my occupation isn't a priority occupation?
Your application is still processed. It falls into priority level 4 or 5, depending on whether you're in or outside Australia. It may take longer than a priority occupation application.
How long will my skilled visa take to process now?
Direction 119 does not publish set processing times. For an estimate based on recently decided applications, use the Department's Visa Processing Times Guide.
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.
REFERENCE LIST
- Ministerial Direction 119 (PDF) — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled visa processing priorities — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/skilled-visa
- Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times guide — https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
- Work Visa Lawyers — Most Common Health Occupations That Can Secure PR in Australia — https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/most-common-health-occupations-that-can-secure-pr-in-australia.html
- Work Visa Lawyers — Australia's 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program Planning Levels — https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/australia-s-2026-27-permanent-migration-program-planning-levels-understanding-the-australian-visa-numbers-and-permanent-residency.html
