-
Amit Taya (Perth): +61 426 488 909 | Harmandeep Kaur (Adelaide): +61 8 8120 4199
Amit Taya (Perth): +61 426 488 909 | Harmandeep Kaur (Adelaide): +61 8 8120 4199
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has introduced new processing priorities for skilled visa applications, with Ministerial Direction 119 (MD119) taking effect on 25 July 2026. While the direction does not change visa eligibility requirements, it will definitely reshape the processing order for several employer-sponsored and skilled visa categories. These updates are particularly important for skilled workers, employers and prospective migrants who are planning to move to the country.
It is a new direction issued by the Australian Government that is responsible for setting the order in which eligible skilled visa applications are processed by the DHA. It has also replaced Ministerial Direction 105 on 25 July 2026 and applies to several skilled and employer-sponsored visa categories. Most importantly, its purpose is to change processing priorities rather than the legal requirements for visa approval.
Issued by the Minister for Home Affairs under Section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, this direction sets the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes eligible skilled visa applications.
Under Australia skilled visa processing priorities 2026, the DHA will process eligible skilled visa applications in the order mentioned here:
| Priority | Application Category |
|---|---|
| 1 | Law enforcement or defence-related applications from applicants who are presently in Australia. |
| 2 | Law enforcement or defence-related applications from applicants from outside Australia. |
| 3 | Applicants working in construction, healthcare or teaching. |
| 4 | Other eligible nominations and visa applicants in Australia. |
| 5 | Other eligible nominations and visa applications from applicants outside Australia. |
| Change | Summary |
|---|---|
| New direction | Ministerial Direction 119 replaced Ministerial Direction 105 on 25 July 2026. |
| Expanded coverage | Now involves the Skills in Demand subclass 482 visa. |
| Priority basis | Processing depends on occupation and whether the applicant is physically present onshore or offshore. |
| No eligibility changes | Only the skilled visa processing order has changed. The visa requirements remain the same. |
| Existing applications | Applies to applications that are still undecided but are lodged before 25 July 2026. |
Direction 119 applies to both nomination and visa applications and covers the following visa subclasses.
The Direction applies to nominations associated with:
In this category, Direction 119 covers:
For applicants, Australia onshore vs offshore visa processing has become more significant. Many eligible onshore applicants might experience faster processing. However, some offshore applicants may have to undergo longer waiting times unless they fall within the priority occupation categories. The new direction also applies to undecided applications lodged before 25 July 2026.
When it comes to employers, the changes might bring greater certainty while hiring workers already present in Australia. Also, it highlights the importance of lodging complete, decision-ready visa applications so that additional processing delays can be avoided.
Ministerial Direction 119 marks a major transition in Australia’s skilled migration by changing how eligible skilled visa applications are prioritised for processing. Even though it does not alter the visa eligibility requirements, it will be able to influence processing timeframes to a great extent. Thus, both applicants and employers must stay aware of these changes and make sure applications are complete to have better chances of proper processing.
For more information and professional guidance on how Ministerial Direction 119 might impact your visa application, contact Registered Migration Agent today!
1. Has Ministerial Direction 119 replaced Ministerial Direction 105?
Yes. It has replaced Ministerial Direction 105 and came into effect on 25 July 2026.
2. Are applications lodged before 25 July 2026 affected by MD119?
Yes, it applies to applications lodged before 25 July 2026 if they had not been finally decided when MD119 commenced.
3. Which visa does Ministerial Direction 119 newly include?
Ministerial Direction 119 expressly includes the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa within its processing priority framework.
4. Does location affect processing priority under MD119?
Yes. Onshore applicants are generally processed ahead of offshore applicants within the same occupation category.
