Ministerial Direction 119 for skilled visa processing

Australia has introduced Ministerial Direction 119, changing how the Department of Home Affairs prioritises certain skilled visa nominations and visa applications. While the Direction does not change visa eligibility requirements, it changes the order in which eligible applications are processed. Under the new Direction, priority is given to applicants in law enforcement and defence occupations, followed by eligible healthcare or teaching occupations and construction occupations, with onshore applications generally processed ahead of offshore applications. The Direction commenced on 25 July 2026 and replaces Ministerial Direction 105. The new Direction also expands the visa programs covered, including the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, which was not previously included. Ministerial Direction 119 applies to: Applications lodged on or after 25 July 2026 Applications lodged before 25 July 2026 that had not been finalised by that date This means existing applications waiting for a decision will now be processed under the new priority order. The Direction applies to several employer-sponsored and skilled migration programs. Nomination applications The following nomination applications are covered: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Visa applications The following visa applications are covered: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) Skilled Independent (subclass 189) Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) Skilled (Residence) (subclass 887) Business Skills (Permanent) (subclass 888) The significant changes are the inclusion of Skills in Demand (subclass 482) nominations and visa applications as well as construction occupations. These were not covered under Ministerial Direction 105. Ministerial Direction 119 does not apply to every application. The Direction excludes: Applications returned by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for reconsideration Applications where refusal is already clear Certain family unit applications lodged separately from the primary applicant Employer change nominations ART matters New skilled visa processing priorities Ministerial Direction 119 introduces five processing priority groups. Priority depends on: The nominated occupation Whether the applicant was in Australia or outside Australia when the application was lodged The processing order is: Onshore law enforcement and defence Applications lodged while the primary applicant was in Australia receive the highest priority when the occupation supports Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests. Offshore law enforcement and defence The second priority applies to applicants outside Australia nominated for eligible law enforcement or defence occupations. Onshore healthcare, teaching and construction Applicants in Australia receive the next priority when nominated for eligible healthcare occupations, teaching occupations and construction occupations. Construction occupations are a new priority under Ministerial Direction 119. All other onshore applications All remaining eligible onshore applications are processed after the higher priority occupation groups. All other offshore applications Other offshore applications receive the lowest processing priority. Combined visa applications Family members included in a combined visa application receive the same processing priority as the primary applicant. Where an annual application cap applies under section 85 of the Migration Act, applications are also processed using the same priority order. How Ministerial Direction 119 differs from Direction 105 Under Ministerial Direction 105, priority was given to: Regional employer-sponsored applications Healthcare and teaching occupations Accredited sponsor applications Ministerial Direction 119 replaces this approach. The main changes include: Law enforcement and defence occupations and Construction occupations have been added to priority processing. Regional location is no longer a processing priority. Accredited sponsor status no longer provides priority processing. Law enforcement and defence occupations now receive the highest priority Onshore applicants are prioritised ahead of offshore applicants. Skills in Demand (subclass 482) applications are now included. Ministerial Direction 119 changes how eligible skilled migration applications move through processing. While it does not change visa eligibility requirements, it may affect processing timeframes depending on the applicant’s occupation and location when the application was lodged. Employers and skilled migrants should consider these new priorities when planning sponsorship and visa strategies.