On 19 September 2026, the Department of Home Affairs replaced Ministerial Direction 119 with two new directions: Ministerial Direction 121 and Ministerial Direction 122.
Direction 121 now sets the processing order for the Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa. Direction 122 sets the processing order for ten other skilled visas, including the 190 and 491 visas. Together, they decide which applications the Department looks at first — including applications already on hand, not just new ones.
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Timeline: What Changed and When
- 25 July 2026 – Direction 119 replaced Direction 105. For the first time, all ten skilled visas and the 482 visa were prioritised together under one direction. We covered this when it happened: Skilled Visa Processing Times: New Priority Order.
- 19 September 2026 – Direction 119 was replaced again, less than two months later. Direction 121 took over the 482 visa. Direction 122 took over the other ten visas.
Who Is Affected, and How
These changes affect anyone with a skilled or employer-sponsored visa application — whether it is already lodged or you are about to apply. That covers the Skills in Demand (482), 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888 visas.
Processing priority is not the same as visa eligibility. It only affects how soon the Department opens your file. A high-priority application can still be refused. A lower-priority one can still be approved.
If your occupation is in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement or defence, your application goes to the front of the queue — even if you applied from overseas. If not, you may wait longer, especially if you applied from outside Australia.
This applies even if you applied before 19 September 2026. Home Affairs confirms the new directions replaced all priorities that applied under Direction 119.An older application can be reordered under the new rules.
Direction 121: Priority Order for the 482 Visa
The new ministerial directions set out a five-tier framework for the Department to use when assessing subclass 482 visa applications.
- Priority- sector Occupations - the applicant’s nominated occupation is in Construction Trades Workers, Construction and Mining Labourers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineering Managers, Sheetmetal Workers, Health Professionals, Defence workers, School teachers.
- Specialist Skills Stream - The applicant’s nominated occupation falls under the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.
- The applicant lodged his visa application while he was in Australia.
- The last tier covers visa applications lodged while the applicant is outside Australia.
- All remaining Applications.
Direction 122: Priority Order for the Other 10 Skilled Visas
The new ministerial directions set out a similar four-tier framework for the Department to use when assessing skilled permanent visa applications.
Ministerial Directions includes: 186 Visa, 187 Visa, 189 Visa, 190 Visa, 191 Visa, 494 Visa, 489 Visa, 887 Visa, 888 Visa.
- Priority-sector Occupations - the applicant’s nominated occupation is in Construction Trades Workers, Construction and Mining Labourers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineering Managers, Sheetmetal Workers, Health Professionals, Defence workers, School teachers.
- The applicant lodged his visa application while he was in Australia.
- The last tier covers visa applications lodged while the applicant is outside Australia.
- All remaining Applications.
Other Visa Priority Directions Still in Force
Direction 121 and Direction 122 only cover skilled visas. Three other directions currently set priorities elsewhere:
- Direction 117 – family visas, including partner and parent visas. It replaced Direction 102 on 25 July 2026.* *We cover it in full here: Partner Visa and Family Priority Order 2026.
- Direction 120 – National Innovation, Global Talent and Distinguished Talent visas, in force since 25 July 2026.
- Direction 114 – the closed Business Innovation and Investment (188) and Business Talent (132) visas, in force since 12 February 2025.
If you or your partner have a family visa application, Direction 117 applies to you, not Direction 121 or 122.
What Should You Do?
- check whether your occupation is in a priority sector (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement or defence)
- check whether your visa sits under Direction 121 (482) or Direction 122 (the other ten)
- check whether you were onshore or offshore when you applied
- review your visa strategy if your occupation is not a priority, especially if your current visa is expiring soon
If you have a family visa instead, see our Direction 117 guide linked above.
Can Work Visa Lawyers Help?
Yes. We can help you work out where your application sits under the new priority order and what to do next.
- Skills in Demand (482) advice
- General Skilled Migration: 189, 190 and 491 visa advice
- Employer sponsored visa strategy
- reviewing an existing application against Direction 121 or Direction 122
Book an Appointment
FAQ: Ministerial Direction 121 and 122 (2026)
What is Ministerial Direction 121?
The direction that sets the processing order for Subclass 482 visa applications. It replaced Direction 119 for this visa on 19 September 2026.
What is Ministerial Direction 122?
The direction that sets the processing order for ten other skilled visas, including the 186, 494, 190 and 491 visas. It also replaced Direction 119 on 19 September 2026.
When did Direction 121 and 122 replace Direction 119?
On 19 September 2026. Direction 119 itself had only started on 25 July 2026, so it was in force for less than two months.
Is healthcare still a priority occupation for skilled visas in 2026?
Yes, along with construction, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence, under both Direction 121 and Direction 122.
What happens if I applied before 19 September 2026?
Your application is now assessed under the new Direction 121 or Direction 122 tiers, not the tiers that applied when you first applied.
Does this affect partner or family visa applications?
No. Partner, parent and other family visas sit under Direction 117, not Direction 121 or 122. See our Partner Visa and Family Priority Order 2026 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.