ARTICLE · 05 OCTOBER 2026

Directions 121 & 122: Skilled Visa Processing Priorities Reset

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The Australian Department of Home Affairs has introduced new skilled visa processing priorities under Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, fundamentally restructuring how applications are prioritized. Unlike the previous system that prioritized by location, the new framework prioritizes by sector first, placing specified industries at the highest priority regardless of whether applicants are onshore or offshore.

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The Department of Home Affairs has replaced the skilled visa processing priorities it introduced in July. The change affects applications you already have on hand and, for many employers, reverses the effect of the previous Direction.

This update replaces our previous employer sponsor update on MD-119.

What has changed

Ministerial Direction 121 (MD-121) and Ministerial Direction 122 (MD-122) were signed on 18 September 2026 and commenced on 19 September 2026. Both were made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958. MD-121 revokes MD-119, which was in force for 56 days.

Both Directions apply to new applications and to applications already lodged but not yet decided.

MD-119 prioritised by location first. The new Directions prioritise by sector first: specified sectors receive the highest priority whether the applicant is onshore or offshore, and location is used only to order everyone else.

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