21/09/2026
๐ข ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ๐ญ๐ต ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฑ. ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐!
Australiaโs skilled visa processing priorities have changed following the revocation of Ministerial Direction 119. From 19 September 2026, Directions 121 and 122 introduce a new processing order across much of Australiaโs skilled migration program.
One of the biggest changes is how priority sector applications are treated. Eligible applicants in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources can now receive first priority, whether they apply from Australia or overseas. Occupations linked to Australiaโs law enforcement and defence interests are also included.
๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ: ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ด๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
Direction 121 covers the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and legacy Temporary Skill Shortage applications.
1. Applications involving occupations within the identified priority sectors.
2. Subclass 482 Specialist Skills stream applications.
3. Other applications lodged by primary applicants in Australia.
4. Other applications lodged overseas by a primary applicant alone.
5. All remaining applications
๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฎ: ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ธ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
Direction 122 covers subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888. The Directions also apply to certain applications already lodged and not yet decided.
1. Applications involving occupations within the identified priority sectors.
2. Other applications lodged by primary applicants in Australia.
3. Other applications lodged overseas by a primary applicant alone.
4. All remaining applications.
Importantly, these Directions do not change visa eligibility requirements. They change the order in which applications are considered.
The new priorities also apply to certain applications already lodged and awaiting a decision.
For employers, this change could have important implications for recruitment and workforce planning.
๐ Read our article to understand what Directions 121 and 122 could mean for you or your business here: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01nGbh0