Key takeaways
- From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 sets the processing order for subclasses 189, 190, 491, 186 and other provisional and permanent skilled visas. Direction 121 does the same for the 482 Skills in Demand visa.
- Applications relating to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, or to law enforcement and defence, are processed first.
- After that, applicants who were in Australia when they lodged come before applicants who lodged from overseas.
- Priority changes the order, not the outcome. The points test is unchanged for now: extra points for housing trades were announced but are not yet law.
On 17 September 2026 Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a package of migration changes. Most of the headlines were about students and backpackers. One change took effect two days later and affects every skilled visa application in the queue: the order in which Home Affairs processes them.
What changed on 19 September
Processing priorities are set by ministerial direction. From 19 September 2026 two new directions replaced Ministerial Direction 119, which had applied only since 25 July 2026. Direction 121 covers temporary skilled visas (the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482). Direction 122 covers provisional and permanent skilled visas, including subclasses 189, 190, 491, 186, 494 and 191. Both apply to new applications and to applications already lodged but not yet decided.
| Priority | Applications |
|---|---|
| 1 | Applications relating to the construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources sectors, or to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests |
| 2 | The applicant was in Australia when the application was lodged |
| 3 | The primary applicant was outside Australia when the application was lodged, and no other person's application has been combined with it |
| 4 | All other applications |
For the 482 Skills in Demand visa, Direction 121 follows the same order but places the Specialist Skills stream second, ahead of onshore applications.
What is different from Direction 119
Under Direction 119, healthcare, teaching and construction occupations were prioritised only for applicants already in Australia, and offshore applications sat at the bottom. Direction 122 lists the priority sectors first without an onshore condition, and widens the list to include agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources. Regional location and accredited sponsor status still give no processing advantage.
What it does not change
- Priority affects when your application is looked at, not whether you meet the criteria. A priority application with weak evidence can still be refused.
- It does not decide who is invited in SkillSelect rounds or whom a state nominates. Invitations still depend on your points and on demand in your occupation.
- Published processing times are averages. Individual cases can be faster or slower.
The trades points change is announced, not law
The same announcement said housing and construction trade qualifications will earn the same points as a university degree in the points test for the 189, 190 and 491. As at early November 2026 no legislative instrument or start date has been published, so the current points table still applies. Do not claim points that do not exist yet in your Expression of Interest (EOI). If you are a trade applicant, starting your skills assessment now can save months when the change arrives.
What to do now
- 1Check which sector your nominated occupation is likely to fall into, and make sure your skills assessment and employment evidence clearly support that occupation.
- 2If you are already in Australia on a valid visa and eligible to apply onshore, lodging onshore places you in a higher tier than lodging from overseas.
- 3Lodge a decision-ready application: police certificates, health examinations and complete employment evidence. A request for more information costs more time than any queue.
- 4Keep your EOI accurate while you wait. Your points must be correct at the time you are invited, and they are checked again when your visa is decided.
Check your points for 189, 190 and 491
Our free calculator shows your totals for each visa and emails you the result.
General information only, not advice for your situation. Rules and processing priorities change; we confirm what applies to your case at your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ministerial Direction 122?
Does priority processing mean my visa will be granted?
I applied from India. Will my application be processed last?
Is IT a priority sector?
Do 491 regional applications still get priority?
When will trade qualifications get more points?
Official sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled visa processing priorities
- Department of Home Affairs — Australian Government migration policy changes
- SBS News — Tony Burke unveils major migration changes (17 September 2026)
General information only, current at the date shown. It is not immigration advice for your circumstances. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.
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Who will assist you
Sumit Kumar
Chartered Accountant & Australian Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1803385
I migrated from India to Melbourne as a skilled migrant in 2005 and became an Australian citizen in 2010, so I know first-hand what it takes to rebuild a career and a life in a new country — the paperwork and the waiting, and also the job search, the loneliness and the pressure of starting over far from home. Since 2013 I have advised individuals, families and businesses on migration and cross-border moves, combining migration casework with a Chartered Accountant's view of tax, funds and business structure.
