The Department of Home Affairs has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, setting the new processing priorities for nomination and visa applications across a range of Skilled visa subclasses. The direction commenced from 25 July 2026 and replaces Ministerial Direction 105 and, for the first time, brings the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program under a formal prioritisation framework, applying to all on-hand applications.
Direction 119 applies to nomination applications for the following visa subclasses:
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand / Temporary Skill Shortage)
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
It also applies to visa applications across a broader list of skilled visa classes, including subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 482 (TSS and SID), 489, 491, 494, 888 and 887.
How Priority Is Determined
- Prioritisation is based on two factors: the applicant’s occupation and their location at the time of application.
- Occupations supporting law enforcement and defence interests receive the highest priority, followed by construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations.
- Applicants already in Australia are prioritised over those applying from outside Australia.
Order of Processing Priority – For both nominations and visa applications, the Direction sets a five-tier priority order (highest to lowest)
- Law enforcement or defence-related applications – applicant in Australia
- Law enforcement or defence-related applications – applicant outside Australia
- Construction, healthcare, or teaching applications – applicant in Australia
- All other applications – applicant in Australia
- All other applications – applicant outside Australia
The Direction applies both to new applications and to applications made before its commencement that have not yet been finally determined. Click here: Ministerial Direction 119
