Skilled visa processing priorities
Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas
Nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas are processed according to Government policy priorities, which are outlined in Ministerial Direction 119 and came into effect on 25 July 2026.
From this date, Ministerial Direction 119 has replaced all processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 105. Ministerial Direction 119 applies to all on hand applications, including for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program, which was not previously included under Ministerial Direction 105.
Prioritisation under Ministerial Direction 119 is afforded according to both occupation and the location of applicants at the time of application.
- Occupations supporting Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are afforded the highest priority, followed by those in construction, healthcare, and teaching.
- Applicants who are already in Australia have higher priority than those who are outside Australia.
Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications
Skilled nomination and visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:
- The first and highest priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application.
- The second priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application.
- The third priority is given to nomination and visa applications relating to construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application.
- The fourth priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application.
- The fifth and final priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application.
Visa classes and subclasses included in this Direction
Ministerial Direction 119 (in Schedule A and B) covers:
Other Skilled visa Directions
Ministerial Direction 114 which came into effect on 12 February 2025, covers Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa (closed July 2024) and Business Talent (Permanent) (subclass 132) visa (closed July 2021) applications.
Ministerial Direction 120 which came into effect on 25 July 2026, covers Class BX (subclass 858) visas, Distinguished Talent (closed November 2020), Global Talent (closed December 2024) and
National Innovation (subclass 858) visa applications.
Visa application lodgement requirements
For more information and guidance on how to lodge a complete application, see
Check twice, submit once and
Applying for a skilled visa.
Processing times
For more information see Processing times guide.
