From 19 September 2026, two new instruments, Ministerial Direction 121 and Ministerial Direction 122, set the order in which the Department of Home Affairs considers skilled visa applications. They replace the framework that previously operated under Ministerial Direction 119. Direction 121 applies to specified temporary skilled visa applications, mainly the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. Direction 122 applies to a wider group of specified provisional and permanent skilled visas. Certain sectors now receive the highest processing priority under both Directions. Processing priority is not the same thing as visa eligibility, and it does not guarantee a faster decision or an approval.
Quick answer
- Effective from: 19 September 2026
- Previous framework: Ministerial Direction 119
- Direction 121 covers: Specified temporary skilled visa applications, mainly subclass 482
- Direction 122 covers: Specified provisional and permanent skilled visa applications, including subclasses 186, 189, 190, 191, 491 and 494
- Highest priority: Applications connected with construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, or Australia's law enforcement and defence interests
- Important: Priority processing affects the order applications are considered in. It does not guarantee a particular processing time or a visa grant.
Which Ministerial Direction applies to your visa?
Visa | Subclass | Applicable Direction |
Skills in Demand | 482 | Direction 121 |
Employer Nomination Scheme | 186 | Direction 122 |
Skilled Independent | 189 | Direction 122 |
Skilled Nominated | 190 | Direction 122 |
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | 191 | Direction 122 |
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | 491 | Direction 122 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | 494 | Direction 122 |
Direction 122 also covers subclasses 187, 489, 887 and 888. Direction 121 covers only subclass 482, along with relevant undecided applications under the former Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, which the Skills in Demand visa replaced on 7 December 2024.
What changed on 19 September 2026?
- Direction 119 was replaced. It no longer applies to skilled visa processing priorities.
- Direction 121 now governs specified temporary skilled applications, principally subclass 482.
- Direction 122 now governs specified provisional and permanent skilled applications, across the ten subclasses listed above.
- The highest priority tier under both Directions remains focused on the same group of sectors, construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus law enforcement and defence interests.
- Direction 121 adds a dedicated second-tier priority for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa. Direction 122 does not carry this category across.
- Neither Direction changes the skilled occupation lists, the points test, sponsorship obligations or any other visa eligibility criteria. They change only the order applications are considered in.
What is Ministerial Direction 121?
Direction 121 sets the processing order for specified temporary skilled visa applications, covering the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and relevant applications made under the former Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa framework.
Direction 121 priority order
Priority 1. Applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or connected to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Priority 2. Applications in the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.
Priority 3. Applications where the applicant was in Australia when they lodged.
Priority 4. Applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia when they lodged, and the application is not combined with another person's application.
Priority 5. All other applications.
In practice, this means an offshore applicant in a priority sector is generally considered ahead of an onshore applicant outside those sectors, since sector priority sits above location in the order.
What is Ministerial Direction 122?
Direction 122 sets the processing order for a wider group of provisional and permanent skilled visas: subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888.
Direction 122 priority order
Priority 1: Applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or connected to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Priority 2: Applications where the applicant was in Australia when they lodged.
Priority 3: Applications where the primary applicant was outside Australia when they lodged, and the application is not combined with another person's application.
Priority 4: All other applications.
Direction 122 does not include a Specialist Skills category. That stream sits within the Skills in Demand visa, which is a temporary visa covered by Direction 121, not Direction 122.
Direction 121 vs Direction 122
Direction 121 | Direction 122 | |
Main application type | Temporary skilled | Provisional and permanent skilled |
Key visas covered | Subclass 482 only | 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887, 888 |
Priority tiers | 5 | 4 |
Specialist Skills category | Yes | No |
Priority sectors (Priority 1) | Yes | Yes |
Onshore lodgement category | Yes | Yes |
Offshore lodgement category | Yes | Yes |
Do the new Directions affect existing applications?
Yes. Both Directions apply to applications lodged from 19 September 2026, and also to applications lodged earlier that had not yet been finally determined when the new framework commenced. This means an applicant who lodged under the previous Direction 119 framework should not assume their processing position is unchanged. The applicable priority category may differ under Direction 121 or 122, depending on the visa subclass and the applicant's circumstances.
Applicants with a pending application should check which Direction now applies to their subclass and which priority tier their application falls into. Withdrawing and relodging an application purely in an attempt to gain a processing advantage is not something to do without first understanding the broader consequences, and professional advice should be sought before taking that step.
Processing priority is not visa eligibility
Processing priority determines the order in which the Department considers an application, within the resources available to it.
Visa eligibility is a separate legal question. It covers matters such as occupation, skills assessment, work experience, English language requirements, salary, nomination, sponsorship, health, character, age, and other subclass-specific criteria.
An application can sit in the highest priority tier and still be refused if it does not meet the relevant legal requirements. An application outside Priority 1 can still be approved if it satisfies those requirements. The two questions are assessed separately.
Does priority processing mean faster visa approval?
No. Processing priority affects the order applications are considered in. It is not a guarantee of a particular processing time, and it is not a guarantee that a visa will be granted. Every applicant must still satisfy the legal requirements that apply to their specific visa subclass, regardless of their priority tier.
Does working in a priority sector automatically give priority?
No. Being employed by, or nominated for a position with, a business in one of the listed sectors does not by itself place an application in Priority 1. The relevant occupation, the nominated position, and the requirements of the specific visa subclass all need to be assessed against the applicable Direction. This applies across construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture and the other listed sectors. Applicants should confirm the exact occupation classification that applies to their position rather than assuming sector membership alone determines their priority tier.
What does this mean for skilled visa applicants?
If you have already lodged an application. Check whether your application now falls within a different priority category under Direction 121 or 122, and what that means for your position in the processing order.
If you are planning to lodge. Understand the visa criteria for your subclass and the priority tier your application is likely to fall into before you lodge.
If you are applying from within Australia. Being onshore at the time of lodgement can affect your position in the priority order under both Directions, though it is one factor among several rather than the only consideration.
If you work in a priority sector. Your specific occupation and circumstances matter more than the sector label alone.
If you are an employer or sponsor. Understand how the new framework applies to the visas you sponsor, particularly for subclasses 482, 186, 190 or 491. Employers and skilled workers in Adelaide can also seek guidance from a migration agent in Adelaide when assessing the requirements that may apply to their circumstances.
What should applicants do now?
- Identify your exact visa subclass.
- Confirm whether Direction 121 or Direction 122 applies to it.
- Check which priority category your application, or intended application, falls into.
- If you already have a pending application, check how the new framework may have changed its priority position.
- Review the Department's current published processing information for your visa category.
- Do not treat a priority tier as a guarantee of faster processing or approval.
- Do not withdraw or relodge an application based on assumptions about priority without first getting advice on the consequences.
- Seek professional migration advice where your circumstances are complex, such as a borderline occupation classification or a combined family application.
Current subclass 482 processing position
Processing information checked: 21 September 2026
The Department of Home Affairs publishes indicative processing information for Subclass 482 applications, broken down by the categories set out in Direction 121, priority-sector applications, Specialist Skills applications, onshore applications and offshore applications. These published positions change as applications are reprioritized under the new framework, so they should not be treated as a fixed processing timeframe for any individual application. Applicants and employers should check the Department's current processing priorities page directly rather than relying on a processing position published elsewhere, including in this article, once time has passed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an application automatically sits in Priority 1 because the employer operates in a listed sector.
- Treating a priority tier as a guarantee of a faster decision or an approval.
- Relying on outdated processing information instead of checking the Department's current published position.
- Confusing processing priority with visa eligibility. They are assessed separately.
- Withdrawing or relodging an existing application purely to try to gain a processing advantage, without understanding the consequences first.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ministerial Directions 121 and 122?
Legal instruments made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958 that set the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes specified skilled visa applications. Direction 121 covers temporary skilled visas and Direction 122 covers provisional and permanent skilled visas.
When did Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 start?
Both commenced on 19 September 2026, replacing the processing priorities previously set by Direction 119.
Which visa subclasses are covered by Direction 121 and 122?
Direction 121 covers subclass 482. Direction 122 covers subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888.
What is the highest processing priority under the new Directions?
Applications connected with construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources, or Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
Does priority processing guarantee faster visa processing?
No. It affects the order applications are considered in, not a fixed processing time or an approval outcome.
Do the new Directions affect existing visa applications?
Yes. They apply to applications lodged before 19 September 2026 that had not yet been finally determined, as well as to new applications.
Does working in a priority sector automatically give an application priority?
No. The specific occupation, nominated position and visa criteria still need to be assessed individually.
What should I do if I already have a pending skilled visa application?
Check which Direction now applies to your subclass, confirm your priority category, and review the Department's current processing information before making any decisions about your application.
How Visafast can help
If you are considering a skilled or employer-sponsored visa for Australia, understanding the applicable visa requirements and current processing priorities can help you plan your next steps. Visafast Migration Consultancy can assist with understanding the migration options and requirements that may apply to your circumstances.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute individual migration advice. Migration law and processing settings change frequently. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a registered migration agent.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs, Skilled visa processing priorities; Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482); Ministerial Direction 121 (PDF, Department of Home Affairs); Ministerial Direction 122 (PDF, Department of Home Affairs).
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or migration advice. As every individual's circumstances are different, you should not rely solely on the information provided in this article when making immigration decisions.
Australian immigration laws and policies are subject to change. For advice tailored to your specific circumstances and to achieve the best possible outcome, we recommend booking a consultation with our Principal Registered Migration Agent.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication, Visafast Migration Consultancy accepts no liability for any decisions made based on this content.
