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ARTICLE · 24 AUGUST 2026

New Processing Priorities For Skilled Visa Applications – Employer Sponsor Update

Roam Migration Law
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The Australian Department of Home Affairs has implemented Ministerial Direction 119, fundamentally restructuring how skilled visa applications are prioritised based on occupation type and applicant location. This five-tier priority system now places offshore applicants in the lowest category unless they work in law enforcement or defence, creating processing delays measured in months for temporary visas and years for permanent residency.

AustraliaImmigration
Jackson Taylor
Jackson Taylor
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The Department of Home Affairs has made an important change to how they prioritise skilled visa applications. The change is significant; it affects applications you already have on hand, and for some employers it will materially alter when a nominated worker can start.

Our firm previously posted an update about the Direction shortly after its implementation. However, further information has come to light regarding the purpose and approach the Department is expected to take in processing applications.

What has changed

Ministerial Direction 119 (MD-119) was signed on 24 July 2026 and commenced on 25 July 2026. It was made under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958 and revokes Ministerial Direction 105.

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