Ministerial Direction 122, signed on 18 September 2026 and commencing on 19 September 2026, establishes a new processing order for specified provisional and permanent skilled visa applications. It applies to new applications as well as relevant applications lodged before commencement that had not yet been finally determined.
The Direction does not change visa eligibility criteria or the composition of the skilled migration occupation lists. Instead, it determines the order in which covered visa applications are considered and disposed of by Department of Home Affairs decision-makers.
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Direction 122 at a glance
The new processing framework commenced the day after the Direction was signed.
Construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture/aquaculture/fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence.
Other primary applicants who were in Australia when the application was made fall within Priority 2.
The application must not be combined with another person’s application at any time.
The Direction applies to covered applications made before commencement if they had not been finally determined.
Processing priority does not remove or reduce the requirements that must be met for visa grant.
Which visa subclasses are covered?
Direction 122 applies to the following visa classes and subclasses:
| Subclass | Visa |
|---|---|
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme |
| 187 | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme |
| 189 | Skilled Independent |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated |
| 191 | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) |
| 489 | Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) |
| 887 | Skilled (Residence) |
| 888 | Business Skills (Permanent) |
Important: Direction 122 establishes the priority order for the covered visa applications. The instrument itself does not create a separate priority table for employer nomination applications.
The four processing priorities
Priority 1 — Highest
Primary applicants in defined Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture/Aquaculture/Fishing or Resources occupations, or occupations related to Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests.
Priority 2 — Other onshore applicants
All other covered applications where the primary applicant was in Australia when the visa application was made.
Priority 3 — Certain offshore applicants
The primary applicant was outside Australia when the application was made and the application is not combined with another person’s application at any time.
Priority 4 — Remaining applications
All other covered visa applications that do not fall within a higher priority category.
Location at lodgement matters: the Direction refers to whether the primary applicant was in or outside Australia at the time the application was made. The wording does not state that later travel into or out of Australia changes that original category.
Where another person’s visa application is validly combined with the primary applicant’s application in a way permitted by the Migration Regulations, the combined application receives the same processing priority as the primary applicant’s application.
Priority 1 occupations: how the definitions work
The Priority 1 categories are not simply broad industry labels. Direction 122 contains specific definitions. Some categories are based on ANZSCO groups, some depend on what the nominated position actually does, and some require a particular sponsorship or Australian defence or law-enforcement connection.
Do not rely on the employer’s industry alone. A person working for a construction, agricultural or resources business is not automatically Priority 1. The relevant occupation or nominated position must fit the definition in Direction 122.
The Direction does not rank the Priority 1 sectors against each other. A qualifying healthcare occupation, for example, is not given a higher Direction 122 priority merely because it is healthcare rather than construction or teaching.
Construction occupations
The Construction definition is broad. It includes entire ANZSCO groups and two specifically named electrical occupations.
| ANZSCO code/group | Occupation or group | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Construction Trades Workers | Sub-Major Group |
| 82 | Construction and Mining Labourers | Sub-Major Group |
| 1331 | Construction Managers | Unit Group |
| 1332 | Engineering Managers | Unit Group |
| 2321 | Architects and Landscape Architects | Unit Group |
| 2332 | Civil Engineering Professionals | Unit Group |
| 3121 | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians | Unit Group |
| 3122 | Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians | Unit Group |
| 3126 | Safety Inspectors | Unit Group |
| 3129 | Other Building and Engineering Technicians | Unit Group |
| 3222 | Sheetmetal Workers | Unit Group |
| 3223 | Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers | Unit Group |
| 7111 | Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators | Unit Group |
| 7121 | Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators | Unit Group |
| 7212 | Earthmoving Plant Operators | Unit Group |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) | Specific occupation |
| 341112 | Electrician (Special Class) | Specific occupation |
Related Shada occupation profiles: Civil Engineer (233211) is one occupation within Civil Engineering Professionals, and Electrician (General) (341111) is specifically named in the Direction. These profile links provide occupation-specific migration information; the Direction itself determines whether the Priority 1 definition is met.
Healthcare occupations
| ANZSCO code/group | Occupation or group | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Health Professionals | Sub-Major Group |
| 411 | Health and Welfare Support Workers | Minor Group |
| 2346 | Medical Scientists | Unit Group |
| 2721 | Counsellors | Unit Group |
| 2723 | Psychologists | Unit Group |
| 2725 | Social Workers | Unit Group |
| 3112 | Medical Technicians | Unit Group |
| 423111 | Aged or Disabled Carer | Specific occupation |
| 423312 | Nursing Support Worker | Specific occupation |
| 423313 | Personal Care Assistant | Specific occupation |
Example occupation profile: Clinical Psychologist (272311) is one occupation within ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 — Psychologists.
Teaching occupations
| ANZSCO code/group | Occupation or group | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 241 | School Teachers | Minor Group |
| 1341 | Child Care Centre Managers | Unit Group |
| 134311 | School Principal | Specific occupation |
| 134411 | Faculty Head | Specific occupation |
| 242111 | University Lecturer | Specific occupation |
| 242211 | Vocational Education Teacher (AUS) / Polytechnic Teacher (NZ) | Specific occupation |
| 421111 | Child Care Worker | Specific occupation |
Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing occupations
This category is defined mainly by the work performed by the nominated position rather than by a closed list of ANZSCO codes.
Positions directly involved in cultivation, production or harvesting of crops can fall within the definition.
The definition extends to fishing and to production activities involving livestock, poultry, seafood and other primary agricultural products.
Examples include animal health, irrigation, quality assurance, inspection and farm supervision.
The definition includes specified slaughtering, dressing, boning, slicing, processing, preparation or inspection of primary agricultural products.
Key point: the nominated position must be directly involved in primary produce production or supporting productivity. Employment by an agricultural business alone does not necessarily establish Priority 1.
Resources sector occupations
For the Resources definition, the nominated position must directly support exploration, extraction or production of minerals, oil and gas, or coal resources, including mine closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation. The Direction then identifies the following occupation groups and occupations.
| ANZSCO code/group | Occupation or group | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 2336 | Mining Engineers | Unit Group |
| 2344 | Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists | Unit Group |
| 7122 | Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers | Unit Group |
| 133513 | Production Manager (Mining) | Specific occupation |
| 232212 | Surveyor | Specific occupation |
| 232214 | Other Spatial Scientist | Specific occupation |
| 234912 | Metallurgist | Specific occupation |
| 323211 | Fitter (General) | Specific occupation |
| 323212 | Fitter and Turner | Specific occupation |
| 323213 | Fitter-Welder | Specific occupation |
| 323214 | Metal Machinist (First Class) | Specific occupation |
| 323299 | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec | Specific occupation |
Resources context matters: a listed occupation should not automatically be treated as Priority 1 without considering whether the nominated position directly supports the resources activities described in the Direction.
Occupations related to Australia’s law enforcement interests
This category is narrower than simply working in a law-enforcement-related role.
| Requirement | Direction 122 definition |
|---|---|
| Occupation | ANZSCO Unit Group 4413 — Police. |
| Nomination or sponsorship | The applicant must be nominated or sponsored by the Australian Federal Police, New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police Force, Queensland Police Service, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Victoria Police, or Western Australia Police Force. |
Occupations related to Australia’s defence interests
The defence category covers specified defence connections rather than every occupation performed by a business that supplies the defence sector.
| Pathway within the definition | What is required |
|---|---|
| AUKUS | The occupation is in relation to, or supports the delivery of, AUKUS Pillar I or AUKUS Pillar II. |
| ADF / Department of Defence nomination or sponsorship | The applicant is nominated or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence. |
| Letter of support | The applicant has a letter of support from the ADF or Department of Defence and will ordinarily undertake the occupation at a defence facility, or the occupation supports production or supply of defence-related material or technology. |
Explore occupation profiles: Shada maintains occupation-specific migration pages across the skilled occupation directory. Where an exact profile has been verified, selected occupation names above link directly to it. You can also browse the Skilled Occupation List directory.
Research your occupation with PointsView
For people considering points-tested skilled migration pathways, Shada PointsView provides historical SkillSelect information for individual occupations. This can help you review how an occupation has appeared in published EOI and invitation data over time.
Important: historical information does not predict invitations, guarantee a visa outcome or establish migration eligibility. Direction 122 processing priority is a separate issue.
How family members can affect an offshore application
This is one of the most important practical features of Direction 122. Priority 3 is not simply an “offshore” category. The primary applicant must have been outside Australia when the application was made and the application must not be combined with another person’s application at any time.
| Primary applicant at lodgement | Family application combined? | Ordinary category if Priority 1 does not apply |
|---|---|---|
| In Australia | No | Priority 2 |
| In Australia | Yes | Priority 2 for the primary applicant; validly combined family applications receive the same priority. |
| Outside Australia | No | Priority 3 |
| Outside Australia | Yes | Priority 4 for the primary applicant if Priority 1 does not apply, because the Priority 3 condition is not met; validly combined family applications receive the same priority as the primary applicant. |
Why this matters: an offshore primary applicant outside Priority 1 should not assume that being offshore automatically means Priority 3. The combined-application wording must also be considered.
Practical case studies
The following simplified examples illustrate how the wording of Direction 122 may operate. They are not Departmental determinations and the actual priority of an application depends on the facts of the individual matter.
Subclass 186 Registered Nurse — offshore with spouse
Likely Priority 1Situation: A Registered Nurse lodges a Subclass 186 visa application while outside Australia and includes a spouse in a combined application.
Analysis: Registered Nurses fall within ANZSCO Sub-Major Group 25 — Health Professionals. Because the application falls within Priority 1, the ordinary offshore/combined-family distinction does not reduce the primary applicant to a lower category. A validly combined spouse application receives the same priority as the primary applicant.
Subclass 190 Accountant — onshore
Likely Priority 2Situation: An Accountant lodges a Subclass 190 application while physically in Australia. Assume the occupation does not otherwise fall within a Priority 1 definition.
Analysis: The primary applicant was in Australia when the application was made, so the application ordinarily falls within Priority 2.
Subclass 190 ICT professional — offshore and applying alone
Likely Priority 3Situation: An ICT professional outside Priority 1 lodges a Subclass 190 application while outside Australia and does not combine the application with another person’s application.
Analysis: Both elements of the offshore Priority 3 wording are satisfied.
Subclass 190 ICT professional — offshore with spouse
Likely Priority 4Situation: The same applicant lodges offshore, but the application is combined with the spouse’s application.
Analysis: The primary applicant does not satisfy the additional Priority 3 requirement that the application not be combined with another person’s application at any time.
Subclass 491 Civil Engineer — offshore with family
Likely Priority 1Situation: A Civil Engineer lodges a Subclass 491 application offshore and includes family members.
Analysis: Civil Engineering Professionals are expressly included as ANZSCO Unit Group 2332 within the Construction definition. Priority 1 therefore applies before the ordinary offshore-family distinction.
Subclass 494 applicant in a non-priority occupation — onshore
Likely Priority 2Situation: A Subclass 494 primary applicant lodges while in Australia, but the nominated occupation is outside Priority 1.
Analysis: Regional employer sponsorship is not itself listed as a separate higher category in Direction 122. The applicant’s onshore location at lodgement therefore places the application in Priority 2.
Subclass 191 applicant — onshore
Likely Priority 2 unless Priority 1 appliesSituation: A Subclass 191 primary applicant lodges while in Australia and does not otherwise establish Priority 1.
Analysis: Subclass 191 is expressly covered by Direction 122, and the ordinary onshore category applies where Priority 1 does not.
Subclass 186 non-priority occupation — offshore with family
Likely Priority 4Situation: A primary applicant in an occupation outside Priority 1 lodges a Subclass 186 application outside Australia and combines the application with a spouse and child.
Analysis: Employer sponsorship itself is not a separate Priority 1 criterion under Direction 122, and the combined application means the primary applicant does not meet the Priority 3 condition.
What does not automatically create a higher priority?
Direction 122 does not list the following matters as separate processing-priority categories:
These matters may be highly relevant to visa eligibility, nomination, sponsorship or other processing arrangements. The point is narrower: they are not stated as separate priority levels in the four-level Direction 122 visa-processing hierarchy.
Does State nomination or a regional visa automatically outrank another skilled visa?
No separate Direction 122 priority is created simply because an application is for Subclass 190, 491 or 494. For example, a Subclass 491 application in a Priority 1 occupation may receive the highest processing priority, while a Subclass 491 application outside Priority 1 is considered under the same onshore/offshore hierarchy that applies to other covered visa applications.
Existing applications are also affected
Direction 122 applies to covered visa applications made before 19 September 2026 that had not been finally determined, as well as applications made on or after commencement.
This means that a pending application can be subject to the new processing hierarchy even though it was lodged before Direction 122 came into effect.
Technical provisions and exceptions
The Direction contains technical exclusions, including certain tribunal-remitted matters, certain cases where the grant criteria are readily not met, and certain separately lodged family-unit applications.
Where a section 85 cap applies, covered applications are still prioritised under Direction 122, but the processing priority does not remove the cap.
The Direction refers to compelling circumstances affecting community safety or continuity of essential religious, cultural or community services in Australia.
Tribunal and family-member cases can be technical. Applicants with an ART/AAT history, a remitted application or a separately lodged family-member application should check the actual terms of Direction 122 rather than assuming the ordinary four-level hierarchy applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Priority 1 guarantee a fast visa decision?
No. Direction 122 establishes relative processing priority. It does not guarantee a particular processing time or visa outcome.
Does Direction 122 change the requirements for a visa grant?
No. The Direction does not change the skilled migration occupation lists or the legal criteria that must be satisfied for visa grant.
Is a Subclass 190 application automatically ahead of a Subclass 189 application?
No. Direction 122 does not rank Subclass 190 above Subclass 189 merely because one is State nominated. The applicable priority depends on the four-level framework in the Direction.
Is every construction job Priority 1?
No. The occupation must fall within the Construction definition in Direction 122. The Direction identifies particular ANZSCO groups and two specifically named electrical occupations.
Is every mining or resources worker Priority 1?
No. The Resources definition requires the nominated position to directly support specified resources activities and also identifies particular ANZSCO groups and occupations.
Does being offshore automatically mean Priority 3?
No. A primary applicant outside Priority 1 must have been outside Australia when the application was made and the application must not be combined with another person’s application at any time.
Can including a spouse or child affect the priority of an offshore application?
Potentially, yes. For a primary applicant outside Priority 1, the Priority 3 wording requires that the application not be combined with another person’s application at any time. A validly combined family application receives the same priority as the primary applicant.
Does Direction 122 apply to applications lodged before 19 September 2026?
Yes, where the visa application is covered by the Direction and had not been finally determined before commencement.
Does a DAMA application automatically receive higher priority?
DAMA status is not listed as a separate processing-priority level in Direction 122. A DAMA-related applicant may nevertheless fall within Priority 1 if the relevant occupation or position satisfies one of the Priority 1 definitions.
Can a family member receive the same priority as the primary applicant?
Yes. Where the family member’s visa application is validly combined with the primary applicant’s application, the Direction gives the combined application the same priority as the primary applicant’s application.
Official sources
For current information, refer to the Department of Home Affairs page on Skilled visa processing priorities and the official Ministerial Direction 122.
General information only: this article does not constitute immigration advice for an individual matter. The applicable processing category can depend on the visa subclass, occupation, nominated position, applicant location at lodgement, family application structure and other facts. Processing arrangements may also change.
On this page
- Direction 122 at a glance
- Visas covered
- Processing priorities
- Priority 1 occupations
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Teaching
- Agriculture / aquaculture / fishing
- Resources
- Law enforcement
- Defence
- Family applications
- Practical case studies
- What does not create priority
- Existing applications
- Technical provisions
- Frequently asked questions
