Australia Introduces New Family Visa Processing Priorities Under Ministerial Direction 117
Australia has introduced new Family visa processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 117 (MD117), changing the order in which the Department of Home Affairs considers Family stream visa applications.
Ministerial Direction 117 replaced the previous Ministerial Direction 102 on 25 July 2026 and now determines processing priorities across a range of Australian Family visas, including Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family visa applications.
One of the most significant changes is that eligible Family visa applications lodged while the primary applicant is in Australia receive the highest processing priority, while applications involving applicants outside Australia generally receive a lower priority.
For Partner visa applicants, Home Affairs specifically confirms that onshore Partner visa applications (subclasses 820 and 801) receive the highest priority, while offshore Partner and Prospective Marriage visa applications receive a lower processing priority.
What Is Ministerial Direction 117?
Ministerial Direction 117 is formally titled:
“Order for considering and disposing of Family visa applications under sections 47 and 51 of the Migration Act 1958.”
It sets the order in which decision-makers must consider and process Family migration applications.
MD117 took effect on 25 July 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 102.
Home Affairs states that decision-makers are required to follow the priorities established by the Direction while having regard to the Australian Government’s policy intentions for the size and composition of the Migration Program, as well as Australia’s international legal obligations.
Onshore Family Visa Applications Receive the Highest Priority
Under Ministerial Direction 117, the highest priority is given to Family visa applications where:
- the primary applicant was in Australia when the application was made; and
- the relevant visa can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.
Lower priority is given where the primary applicant:
- was outside Australia when the application was lodged; or
- is required to be outside Australia when the visa is granted.
This distinction is particularly important for Partner visa applicants because it creates a clear difference in processing priority between eligible onshore and offshore applications.
How Does MD117 Affect Partner Visas?
Home Affairs specifically confirms that Partner visa applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117.
Applications are generally assessed in the order they are received within the applicable priority framework, with the highest priority given to onshore Partner visa applications for subclasses 820 and 801.
Lower priority applies to offshore applications for:
- Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300); and
- Partner visa (subclasses 309 and 100).
Home Affairs also states that applications with lower priority are likely to experience longer processing times.
However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every subclass 820 or 801 application will be finalised faster than every offshore Partner visa application.
Individual processing times can still vary depending on the circumstances and complexity of each application.
What Is the Processing Order for Family Visas Under MD117?
Within the relevant onshore and offshore priority categories, Ministerial Direction 117 establishes the following processing order:
| Priority | Family Visa Category |
| 1 | Applications subject to ministerial intervention |
| 2 | Partner or dependent child applications |
| 3 | Orphan relative applications |
| 4 | Contributory parent or contributory aged parent applications |
| 5 | Carer applications |
| 6 | Parent, aged parent, remaining relative or aged dependent relative applications |
This means Partner and dependent child applications receive relatively high priority within the Family migration processing framework.
It is important to note that Family visa applications subject to capping and queuing may also be affected by Ministerial Direction 103, which provides for processing in queue-date order for relevant applications.
Does Higher Priority Mean a Visa Will Be Granted Faster?
Not necessarily.
Ministerial Direction 117 determines processing priority, not visa eligibility and not the outcome of an application.
A higher processing priority does not:
- guarantee a particular processing time;
- guarantee that a visa will be granted;
- remove any eligibility requirements; or
- allow an applicant to avoid providing required supporting evidence.
Home Affairs states that processing times vary according to the individual circumstances of each case.
Applicants must still satisfy all legislative and visa requirements before a Family visa can be granted.
What Are the Current Partner Visa Processing Times?
Home Affairs currently reports a median processing time of 23 months for the Partner (Provisional/Temporary) visa category, based on July 2026 data.
However, this is a category-level median and should not be interpreted as the processing time for every individual Partner visa application.
Processing times can vary between Partner visa subclasses and individual applications.
Home Affairs specifically notes that Partner visa applications are processed according to MD117 and that applications are generally assessed in date order within each priority group.
Applicants should therefore use the Department’s Visa Processing Time Guide for the most relevant indication for their particular visa subclass.
Can a Family Visa Application Receive Priority Processing?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances.
Ministerial Direction 117 allows a Family stream visa application to be prioritised where:
- the application involves special circumstances of a compassionate nature; and
- there are compelling reasons to depart from the normal order of priority.
Any decision to give an application priority processing is made on a case-by-case basis.
For Partner visa applications, Home Affairs makes clear that there is no guarantee that a priority processing request will be approved.
Applicants seeking priority processing must provide all required supporting documents and evidence supporting the circumstances relied upon.
Home Affairs also advises that most requests for priority processing cannot be approved.
Priority Processing Does Not Guarantee a Partner Visa Grant
Even where Home Affairs agrees to prioritise a Partner visa application, this does not guarantee approval.
The applicant must still satisfy all applicable visa requirements.
For applicants who already hold a temporary Partner visa subclass 309 or 820, Home Affairs also states that two years must have passed since the Partner visa application was made before the applicant can generally become eligible for assessment of the permanent visa.
If the applicant is not yet eligible for permanent-stage assessment, Home Affairs cannot consider a request to prioritise that permanent visa assessment.
Family Migration Program in 2026–27
The Australian Government has allocated 52,460 places to the Family stream of the 2026–27 Migration Program.
For planning purposes, this includes:
- 41,500 Partner visa places; and
- 3,500 Child visa places.
The order in which Family Program applications are assessed is determined by the relevant Ministerial Directions, including MD117.
Parent and Other Family visa categories may also be subject to capping and queuing arrangements.
What Should Partner and Family Visa Applicants Do?
Applicants with a current or planned Family visa application should understand where their application sits within the MD117 processing framework.
In particular, applicants should:
- identify whether their application is onshore or offshore;
- confirm the relevant visa subclass;
- ensure all required supporting documents have been provided;
- keep Home Affairs informed of relevant changes in circumstances;
- monitor the application through ImmiAccount; and
- avoid assuming that higher processing priority guarantees a faster decision or visa grant.
Applicants considering a request for priority processing should also carefully review Home Affairs requirements and ensure they have clear evidence of any claimed compassionate and compelling circumstances.
What Does MD117 Mean for Australian Family Migration?
Ministerial Direction 117 introduces a clearer processing hierarchy across Australia’s Family Migration Program, with eligible onshore applications receiving the highest priority and Partner and dependent child applications ranked highly within the relevant processing categories.
For Partner visa applicants, the practical distinction is particularly important: onshore subclasses 820 and 801 receive higher processing priority than offshore subclasses 300, 309 and 100 under the current framework.
However, MD117 changes the order of processing rather than the underlying eligibility requirements for Family visas.
Applicants should therefore continue to focus on lodging a complete, accurate and well-supported application while monitoring official Home Affairs updates regarding processing times and priorities.
Need Assistance with an Australian Partner or Family Visa?
Australian Partner and Family visa requirements can be complex, particularly where applicants need to understand the interaction between visa eligibility, onshore and offshore applications, processing priorities and supporting evidence.
EMK Global Education & Migration can assist applicants in reviewing their circumstances and understanding available Partner and Family visa pathways.
Contact EMK Global for an assessment of your circumstances and available Australian migration options.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Visa requirements and policies may change, and individual circumstances vary. Please seek advice from a registered migration agent or qualified professional before making any visa or immigration decisions.
Source: Home Affairs