Quick Answer
Ministerial Direction 119 is no longer in force. On 19 September 2026 it was revoked and replaced by two directions signed by Tony Burke on 18 September 2026. Direction 121 covers the Skills in Demand (482) visa. Direction 122 covers provisional and permanent skilled visas (186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887, 888). Top priority now goes to seven sectors (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources) plus law enforcement and defence, whether you are onshore or offshore. Next come applicants who were in Australia when they applied. For 482 visas only, the Specialist Skills stream has its own second tier. The directions apply to applications already lodged as well as new ones.
If you have searched for “Ministerial Direction 119”, most results still describe it as current. It isn’t. MD 119 started on 25 July 2026 and was replaced less than two months later. This guide covers the directions that now set the processing order for skilled visas, based on the Department of Home Affairs’ published Directions 121 and 122.
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Timeline: MD 105 → MD 119 → MD 121 and MD 122
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Until 24 July 2026 | Ministerial Direction 105 set skilled visa processing priorities, which included weighting for regional applications and accredited sponsors |
| 25 July 2026 | MD 119 (dated 24 July 2026) replaced MD 105, with priority based on occupation and on whether the applicant was onshore |
| 17 September 2026 | Tony Burke announced at the National Press Club that priority processing would be widened to more sectors |
| 18 September 2026 | Burke signed Direction 121 (temporary skilled) and Direction 122 (provisional and permanent skilled) |
| 19 September 2026 | Both directions commenced. MD 119 was revoked. |
Source: Home Affairs: Skilled visa processing priorities, which states that “Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 have replaced all processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 119.”
Direction 121: Skills in Demand (482) Processing Order
Direction 121 applies to the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa and the closed Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa. Applications are considered in this order:
- Priority sectors: primary applicants in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources occupations, or occupations related to Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests
- Specialist Skills stream applications
- All other primary applicants who were in Australia when they applied
- Primary applicants who were outside Australia when they applied and whose application is not combined with another person’s application at any time
- All other applications
Family members included in the main applicant’s application get the same priority as the main applicant.
Direction 122: Permanent and Provisional Skilled Processing Order
Direction 122 covers the 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888 visas. The order is the same as Direction 121 except that there is no Specialist Skills tier:
- Priority sectors: construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence
- Applicants who were in Australia when they applied
- Primary applicants who were outside Australia when they applied, with an application not combined with another person’s
- All other applications
Which Occupations Count as Priority Sectors?
Direction 121 defines each sector by ANZSCO groups and codes. Key examples:
- Construction: Construction Trades Workers (Sub-Major Group 33), Construction and Mining Labourers (82), Construction Managers, Engineering Managers, Architects and Landscape Architects, Civil Engineering Professionals, building and civil engineering technicians and draftspersons, Safety Inspectors, Sheetmetal Workers, Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers, crane and earthmoving plant operators, and Electrician (General) and Electrician (Special Class)
- Healthcare: Health Professionals (Sub-Major Group 25), Health and Welfare Support Workers, Medical Scientists, Counsellors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Medical Technicians, Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant
- Teaching: School Teachers, Child Care Centre Managers, School Principal, Faculty Head, University Lecturer, Vocational Education Teacher and Child Care Worker
- Resources: Mining Engineers, Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists, Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers, Production Manager (Mining), Surveyor, Metallurgist, and Fitter, Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder and Metal Machinist roles
- Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing: defined by what the nominated position does, for example growing or harvesting crops, raising livestock or seafood, farm supervision, animal health, and processing or inspecting primary produce
- Defence: occupations supporting AUKUS Pillar I or II, or roles nominated or sponsored by, or supported in writing by, the ADF or Department of Defence that meet extra conditions
- Law enforcement: Police (ANZSCO 4413) nominated or sponsored by the AFP or a state or territory police force
Check your exact ANZSCO code against the Direction. Note that resources and agriculture are defined partly by what the nominated position actually involves, not only by the occupation title.
What Changed Compared With MD 119
- More sectors at the top. MD 119 prioritised construction, healthcare and teaching (onshore) and law enforcement and defence. Directions 121 and 122 add agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources.
- Location no longer matters for the top tier. Under MD 119, construction, healthcare and teaching applicants only got priority if they were in Australia. Under the new directions, priority-sector applications go to the top whether the applicant is onshore or offshore.
- Specialist Skills gets its own tier for 482 visas.
- Two directions instead of one, separating temporary from permanent and provisional skilled visas.
- Offshore family applications are lower priority. A new tier ranks offshore primary applicants applying alone ahead of other offshore applications.
What This Does Not Change
- It does not change who is eligible. Direction 121 says it “does not change the composition of the skilled migration occupation lists”. You still need to meet every visa criterion, including salary, skills, English, health and character.
- It does not guarantee a timeframe. It only sets the order in which cases are processed.
- Exceptions still apply. Case officers can depart from the order in compelling circumstances, such as community safety, essential religious, cultural or community services, or international relations.
- Some cases are excluded. The directions do not apply to applications remitted by the ART, cases where the ART has substituted a decision, or applications where it is readily apparent that the criteria will not be met.
What This Means for You
- Employers in construction, health, aged care, childcare, mining and agriculture: 482 and 186 nominations in these sectors should move faster, including when you are recruiting from overseas. See our 482 visa service page and 482 processing time guide.
- Onshore applicants in other occupations: you are still ahead of offshore applicants in non-priority sectors.
- Offshore applicants in non-priority occupations: expect to sit in the lower tiers. A complete, decision-ready application matters even more.
- 189, 190 and 491 applicants: priority applies once you have lodged a visa application after an invitation. It does not affect invitation rounds. See our 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ministerial Direction 119 still in force?
No. MD 119 was revoked on 19 September 2026 and replaced by Ministerial Direction 121 (temporary skilled visas, subclass 482) and Ministerial Direction 122 (provisional and permanent skilled visas).
What are the top priority occupations under Direction 121 and 122?
Occupations in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus occupations related to Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests.
Does Direction 121 or 122 apply to my application if I lodged it before 19 September 2026?
Yes. The directions apply to applications made but not finally decided before they commenced, as well as to new applications.
Which visas are covered by Ministerial Direction 122?
Subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888.
Does being onshore still help?
Yes, for non-priority occupations. After the priority sectors (and, for 482, the Specialist Skills stream), applicants who were in Australia when they applied are processed before offshore applicants.
Does priority processing mean my visa will be approved?
No. The directions only set processing order. You must still meet every legal requirement for the visa.
Disclaimer: This article summarises Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, as published by the Department of Home Affairs, which commenced on 19 September 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. Processing priorities can be replaced at short notice. Check the current Home Affairs page or speak to a MARA-registered agent.
Call Umar directly: 0424 260 655
Email: info@magpieconsultants.com.au
Office: Office #3, 8/10 Childs Road, Epping VIC 3076
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Umar Ashraf
MARA Registered Migration Agent & Education Consultant | MARA #2619222 | Epping, Melbourne VIC
Umar Ashraf is a MARA-registered migration agent specialising in complex cases, visa cancellations, ART tribunal appeals, and employer sponsorship. He provides consultations in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
