Effective September 19, 2026, Ministerial Direction 121 and Ministerial Direction 122 came into effect, replacing the recently introduced MD119 (Skilled Visa Processing Priorities).
The new Ministerial Directions provide separate frameworks for the processing of Temporary Skilled visas (Subclass 482) and of Permanent & Provisional Skilled visas.
Ministerial Direction 121 – Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa
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Priority 1 – Applications in Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, Resources, Law Enforcement and Defense – onshore and offshore
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Priority 2 – Applications in the Subclass 482 Specialist Skills Stream
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Priority 3 – Other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time they lodged their application
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Priority 4 – Applications where the applicant was outside of Australia when they lodged their application and does not include family members
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Priority 5 – All other visa applications.
Ministerial Direction 122 – Permanent and Provisional Skilled Visas
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Priority 1 – Applications in Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, Resources, Law Enforcement and Defense
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Priority 2 – Other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time they lodged their application
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Priority 3 – Applications where the applicant was outside of Australia when they lodged their application and does not include family members
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Priority 4 – All other visa applications.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
These new Ministerial Directions address the government’s aim to reduce net overseas migration while prioritizing the skills that Australia needs.
It is likely that there will be processing delays while the Department of Home Affairs implements the revised priorities and clears the backlog created by MD119.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news becomes available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.