21/09/2026
👉New Skilled Visa Processing Priorities — Now in Effect
👉Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 took effect on 19 September 2026, replacing Direction 119.
• Direction 121 covers subclass 482 applications.
• Direction 122 covers specified provisional and permanent skilled visas, including 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494.
👉Priority goes to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, and Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests.
👉Applicants’ location at lodgement and whether offshore applications include other applicants also affect priority. Subclass 482 Specialist Skills applications have a separate priority category.
👉See the image for the full processing order. Processing priority does not guarantee approval or a fixed processing time.