The Australian Government has made changes in the way applications for skilled migration are processed through Ministerial Direction 119 in Australia. These changes have become effective from 25th July 2026. It affects the order in which eligible applications are evaluated by the Department of Home Affairs.
However, the changes do not affect the eligibility criteria for applicants. New visa processing priorities have been created according to the occupation and whether they were in Australia when they submitted their application. The changes form part of the latest Australia visa priority changes aimed at supporting workforce needs in critical sectors.
What Is Changing Under Ministerial Direction 119?
The new Direction replaces Ministerial Direction 105 and introduces a revised framework for skilled visa processing priorities. One of the most notable changes is the inclusion of the Skills in Demand Visa subclass 482, which was not previously covered under the earlier Direction.
Furthermore, the new policy gives preference to occupations which are crucial to the law enforcement and defence interests of Australia. The construction sector has also made its way into the preference occupation list for the first time ever.
These new visa processing rules for Australia 2026 will apply to visa applications made on or after 25 July 2026. They will also apply to visa applications made prior to this date that have not yet been processed.
New Processing Priority Order
The new skilled visa processing priorities are divided into five groups.
Priority 1: Onshore Law Enforcement and Defence Occupations
Applicants who were in Australia when they submitted their applications and have an occupation that helps the law enforcement and defence interests of Australia receive the highest priority.
Priority 2: Offshore Law Enforcement and Defence Occupations
The second level applies to applicants outside Australia who are nominated for eligible law enforcement or defence occupations.
Priority 3: Onshore Healthcare, Teaching and Construction Occupations
The next new skilled visa priority category covers applicants in Australia working in eligible healthcare, teaching and construction occupations.
Priority 4: Other Onshore Applications
All remaining eligible onshore skilled visa applicants are processed after the priority occupation groups.
Priority 5: Other Offshore Applications
The final category covers offshore skilled visa applicants whose occupations do not fall within the higher-priority groups.
Visa Subclass Covered by the Direction
Covered visa applications include:
→ Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visa
→ Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)
→ Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189
→ Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190
→ Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 191
→ Skills In Demand Visa Subclass 482
→ Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (Subclass 489)
→ Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 491
→ Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 494
→ Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887
→ Business Innovation And Investment Permanent Visa Subclass 888
The Direction also applies to nomination applications for subclass 186, subclass 187, subclass 482 and visa subclass 494 programs.
Applications Excluded from MD119
Not every application falls within the scope of the Direction. Excluded applications include:
• Applications sent back by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for reconsideration
• Applications where refusal is already evident
• Certain separately lodged family unit applications
• Employer change nominations
• Specific ART-related matters
How MD119 Differs from Ministerial Direction 105?
The Australia Ministerial Direction 119 latest news introduces several key changes:
• Highest priority is given to law enforcement and defence jobs.
• Construction trades will now be eligible for priority processing.
• Regional location is no longer important for priority processing.
• Having accredited sponsor status no longer guarantees priority processing.
• Employer-sponsored visa processing is now influenced by the applicant’s location.
• Applications made from within Australia receive higher priority than applications made from outside Australia.
Conclusion
Ministerial Direction 119 represents a significant shift in the prioritisation of skilled visas, with a stronger focus on addressing Australia’s workforce shortages and supporting key economic sectors. Knowing the new criteria for processing priorities will allow individuals to plan their applications better and prevent delays. Get in touch with one of the reliable immigration agents in Perth, like Ritam Global, for customised assistance regarding your visa needs and migration objectives.
FAQ’s
1. What is Ministerial Direction 119?
Answer 1:
Ministerial Direction 119 is a directive issued by the Government to define the processing priority for nominations and applications for skilled visas.
2. When did Ministerial Direction 119 come into effect?
Answer 2:
Ministerial Direction 119 came into effect on 25 July 2026.
3. Which visas are affected by Ministerial Direction 119?
Answer 3:
It is relevant to a number of skilled visas as well as employer-sponsored visas, which include subclasses 186, 189, 190, 191, 482, 491, 494, 887, and 888.
4. Does Ministerial Direction 119 affect Subclass 189?
Answer 4:
Yes, the skilled independent visa subclass 189 is covered by the Direction.
5. Does Ministerial Direction 119 affect Subclass 190?
Answer 5:
Yes. The skilled nominated visa subclass 190 is included under MD119.
6. Who gets priority under Ministerial Direction 119?
Answer 6:
Applications in law enforcement and defence-related professions get the highest priority, followed by applications in the fields of health care, teaching, and construction.
7. Are onshore applicants prioritised over offshore applicants?
Answer 7:
Yes. In most cases, onshore applicants receive higher processing priority than offshore applicants.
8. Does Ministerial Direction 119 replace Ministerial Direction 105?
Answer 8:
Ministerial Direction 119 came into effect in place of Ministerial Direction 105 on 25th July 2026.
9. What occupations receive priority under MD119?
Answer 9:
Occupations that are given priority include law enforcement, defence, healthcare, teaching and construction occupations.
10. Will MD119 increase skilled visa processing times?
Answer 10:
Skilled visa processing in Australia 2026 may vary depending on an applicant’s occupation and whether they applied onshore or offshore.
11. Can Ritam Global assist with Ministerial Direction 119 and skilled visa planning?
Answer 11:
Of course. Whether you require advice regarding application procedures or learning about new policies, getting in touch with a migration agent in Perth like Ritam Global can help you plan your migration pathway more effectively.
