Australia has introduced new processing priorities for certain skilled visa applications under Ministerial Direction 119 (MD119), which came into effect on 25 July 2026.
The new Direction replaces Ministerial Direction 105 (MD105) and introduces an important change to how skilled visa applications are prioritised: the Department of Home Affairs now considers both the applicant’s occupation and their location at the time of application.
For skilled migrants and employers, particularly those considering employer-sponsored or skilled migration pathways, understanding the new priority system can be important when planning their next steps.
What Is Ministerial Direction 119?
Ministerial Direction 119 determines the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes nomination and visa applications for a range of skilled visa subclasses.
According to Home Affairs, MD119 applies to all applications currently on hand, including applications lodged before 25 July 2026 that have not yet been finalised.
The new Direction also covers the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which was not previously included under MD105.
What Are the New Processing Priorities?
Under MD119, skilled nomination and visa applications are processed according to five priority groups:
| Priority | Applications |
| Priority 1 – Highest | Law enforcement or defence-related occupations where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application |
| Priority 2 | Law enforcement or defence-related occupations where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application |
| Priority 3 | Construction, healthcare and teaching occupations where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application |
| Priority 4 | Other skilled applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application |
| Priority 5 | Other skilled applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application |
This means that an applicant’s location at the time of application now plays an important role in determining processing priority.
What Does This Mean for Healthcare, Teaching and Construction Workers?
Construction, healthcare and teaching remain identified as priority occupation groups under MD119.
However, there is an important distinction.
Applicants in these occupations receive Priority 3 only where they were in Australia at the time of application.
For example, a nurse, teacher or construction professional who was in Australia when their application was lodged may fall within Priority 3.
By comparison, an applicant in the same occupation who was outside Australia when the application was lodged does not receive the same Priority 3 treatment. Unless they fall within the law enforcement or defence categories, offshore applications are processed under Priority 5.
Importantly, this does not mean offshore healthcare, teaching or construction professionals are no longer eligible for skilled migration.
MD119 determines processing priority. It does not, by itself, change the eligibility criteria for the relevant visa.
Which Skilled Visas Are Affected?
MD119 applies to a broad range of skilled migration visas, including:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191)
- Skills in Demand / Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482)
- Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494)
It also covers several other skilled and legacy visa subclasses specified by Home Affairs.
The inclusion of the Skills in Demand subclass 482 visa is particularly notable, as Home Affairs confirms that it was not previously included under MD105.
Does Higher Priority Guarantee Faster Processing?
Not necessarily.
A higher priority means the Department gives the application a higher position in its processing order. It does not guarantee a particular processing timeframe or a successful visa outcome.
Actual processing times can still depend on factors such as whether the application is complete, requests for additional information, health and character checks, application complexity, application volumes and Migration Program planning levels.
Home Affairs also notes that skilled visa applications are not necessarily processed in the order in which they are received.
In simple terms:
Processing priority ≠ visa eligibility ≠ guaranteed visa grant.
What About Applications Already Lodged?
MD119 applies to all applications currently on hand.
This means that applications lodged before 25 July 2026 but still awaiting processing may now be prioritised according to the new Direction.
Applicants with pending skilled visa applications should therefore be aware of where their application may sit within the new processing priority framework.
What Should Skilled Visa Applicants Do?
The introduction of MD119 highlights the importance of considering more than just visa eligibility when planning a skilled migration pathway.
Applicants should understand:
- whether their visa subclass is covered by MD119;
- which processing priority may apply to their circumstances;
- whether their occupation falls within a priority occupation group; and
- how their location at the time of application affects processing priority.
It is also important to ensure that applications are properly prepared and supported by the required evidence, as processing priority does not replace the requirement to satisfy all relevant visa criteria.
Need Help Understanding Your Skilled Migration Options?
Australia’s skilled migration framework continues to evolve, and changes to processing priorities may affect how applicants plan their next steps.
Contact EMK Global Education & Migration for assistance with reviewing your circumstances, understanding your potential skilled or employer-sponsored migration pathways, and planning your next steps.
Important: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute migration or legal advice. Visa requirements, processing priorities and migration policies may change. Applicants should always check the latest information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs or seek professional advice relevant to their circumstances.
Source: Department of Home Affairs