Article
Australian Skilled Visa Processing Priorities from 19 September 2026, and Upcoming Visitor Visa Restriction
From 19 September 2026, Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 (MD121 and MD122) have once again changed the order in which the Department of Home Affairs processes skilled and business visa applications. The Minister has also announced a no further stay condition for future visitor visas. This update summarises what applies to you but do understand we don’t know yet what this will mean for actual processing times.
What this means in practice
The Directions set the order of processing. They do not set processing times, and the effect on actual timeframes is not yet known. Priority 1 applications should move faster, although Priority 1 is now a much larger group than before. Lower priority applications are likely to wait longer, but by how much will only become clear once the Department publishes new data. A complete, decision-ready application remains the best protection against delay.
Key points
- The new order applies to current applications in process as well as new ones.
- Priority 1 covers specified occupations in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, whether the applicant is onshore or offshore.
- For all other occupations, applications lodged in Australia are processed before those lodged offshore.
- The Subclass 888 visa is now included, so the place of lodgement matters.
- Visitor visas will soon carry a no further stay condition. Visitor visas granted before the change are not affected.
Who this affects
- Subclass 482 applicants and their sponsoring employers.
- Subclass 189, 190 and 491 applicants, pending or planned.
- Subclass 188 holders preparing to apply for the Subclass 888 visa.
- Anyone planning to visit Australia and then apply for another visa onshore, including overseas partners, children and parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Priority 1 occupations
Priority depends on the applicant's own occupation, not the employer's industry.
Sector | Occupations (ANZSCO) |
|---|---|
Construction | Construction Trades Workers (33); Construction and Mining Labourers (82); Construction Managers (1331); Engineering Managers (1332); Architects and Landscape Architects (2321); Civil Engineering Professionals (2332); Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians (3121); Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians (3122); Safety Inspectors (3126); Other Building and Engineering Technicians (3129); Sheetmetal Workers (3222); Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers (3223); Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators (7111); Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators (7121); Earthmoving Plant Operators (7212); Electrician (General) (341111); Electrician (Special Class) (341112) |
Healthcare | Health Professionals (25), including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health; Health and Welfare Support Workers (411); Medical Scientists (2346); Counsellors (2721); Psychologists (2723); Social Workers (2725); Medical Technicians (3112); Aged or Disabled Carer (423111); Nursing Support Worker (423312); Personal Care Assistant (423313) |
Teaching | School Teachers (241); Child Care Centre Managers (1341); School Principal (134311); Faculty Head (134411); University Lecturer (242111); Vocational Education Teacher (242211); Child Care Worker (421111) |
Resources | Mining Engineers (2336); Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists (2344); Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers (7122); Production Manager (Mining) (133513); Surveyor (232212); Other Spatial Scientist (232214); Metallurgist (234912); Fitter (General) (323211); Fitter and Turner (323212); Fitter-Welder (323213); Metal Machinist (First Class) (323214); Metal Fitters and Machinists nec (323299). The position must directly support exploration, extraction or production of minerals, oil, gas or coal. |
Agriculture, aquaculture and fishing | No fixed list. The position must be directly involved in primary production, such as crops, livestock, poultry, seafood, animal health, irrigation or farm supervision. |
Law enforcement and defence | Police (4413) sponsored by an Australian police force; AUKUS and specified Defence roles. |
Occupations outside these sectors, including most ICT, accounting, finance and management roles, do not receive Priority 1.
Subclass 482 visa (MD121)
- Priority 1 occupations.
- Specialist Skills stream.
- Applicants in Australia at lodgement.
- Offshore primary applicants whose application is not combined with another person's application.
- All other applications.
Offshore applicants in a Priority 1 occupation or the Specialist Skills stream are processed ahead of onshore Core Skills applicants. Other offshore applicants are processed after onshore applicants.
Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas (MD122)
- Priority 1 occupations.
- Applicants in Australia at lodgement.
- Offshore primary applicants whose application is not combined with another person's application.
- All other applications.
Offshore applicants in Priority 1 occupations now go to the top of the queue. For other occupations, location on the day of lodgement is what counts; moving to Australia afterwards does not change it.
Family members included in an application take the primary applicant's priority. We are confirming with the Department how the "not combined" wording applies to offshore family applications and will advise affected clients directly.
MD122 does not change SkillSelect invitations, points requirements or state nomination criteria.
Subclass 888 visa (MD122)
Business and investor applicants do not nominate an occupation, so most Subclass 888 applicants will not receive Priority 1. Applicants in Australia at lodgement are placed in the second level; offshore applicants in the third or fourth. Subclass 188 holders should, where practicable, be in Australia on the day they lodge.
Visitor visas: no further stay condition
- The condition will be introduced soon. The start date has not been announced.
- A visitor with this condition will not be able to apply for another visa while in Australia, other than a protection visa.
- This effectively ends onshore partner, child and parent visa applications from a visitor visa.
- A waiver is available only for compelling and compassionate circumstances that arise after the visa is granted. This is very difficult to meet.
- Existing visitor visas are not affected. If a visitor visa is relevant to your plans, apply now so that it may be granted before the change. The genuine visitor requirement still applies.
What this means for you
Your application's position in the queue may have changed, but the effect on processing times is not yet known. We will track grant patterns across our caseload and update you when reliable information is available. As the visitor visa change could start at short notice, clients who need a visitor visa should act now.