New processing priority framework for Australian skilled visas

New priority order

The new priority order of applications is:

1. Onshore law enforcement and defence

2. Offshore law enforcement and defence

3. Onshore healthcare, teaching and construction

4. All other onshore applications

5. All other offshore applications

Key changes from Ministerial Direction 105

The key changes are that both accredited sponsor priority and regional area priority have been removed. Applicant location now matters, with onshore applications considered ahead of offshore applications.

Applications for occupations in law enforcement and defence have now become the highest priority. Construction has been added as a priority sector alongside healthcare and teaching.

The Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa was not covered by Ministerial Direction 105, but this visa is now subject to the new priority order in Ministerial Direction 119.

‍

What does this mean for clients?

Lodgement strategy, including timing, location and occupation alignment, is increasingly important. As Ministerial Direction 119 is now in effect, it also impacts applications that have not been finalised and these may be reprioritised.

We can expect to see more variable processing times for these impacted visas. Accredited sponsors and regional businesses should allow more time for processing as their applications are no longer given priority due to their accredited status or regional location.

This new Ministerial Direction represents a shift towards prioritising onshore applicants in critical workforce sectors and we expect to see material impacts on processing order for these skilled applications.

For advice on how this new direction may affect your workforce planning or current applications, please contact our team at immigrationaustralia@k2xborder.com