Australia’s New Visa Processing Priorities (July 2026)

 

On 25 July 2026, the Australian Government introduced significant changes to Australia’s visa processing framework. These changes included:

• Ministerial Direction No. 117, replacing Ministerial Direction No. 102 for Family stream visas;
• Ministerial Direction No. 119, replacing Ministerial Direction No. 105 for Skilled visa applications; and
• Ministerial Direction No. 120, replacing Ministerial Direction No. 112 for National Innovation (subclass 858) visa applications.

Broadly, these changes reflect the Government’s stated focus on prioritising applications that align with Australia’s economic, workforce, and strategic objectives.

Importantly, these changes do not impact the eligibility requirements for any visa. Instead, they affect the order in which the Department of Home Affairs considers applications for processing. This means some applicants may receive decisions sooner than others, depending on their visa type and circumstances.

Key changes at a glance

The most significant changes introduced from 25 July 2026 include:

• a stronger focus on prioritising onshore applicants for both skilled and family visas;
• the addition of construction occupations to the existing priority occupations for skilled visa processing;
• the removal of accredited sponsor status and businesses in regional areas as a standalone processing priority for skilled visa applications; and
• the continuation of a separate priority framework for the National Innovation (subclass 858) visa.

Skilled visa processing priorities (Ministerial Direction 119)

Ministerial Direction 119 applies to a broad range of skilled visa subclasses, including:

The new processing priorities are as follows:

Priority	Applications
1	Applications relating to Australian law enforcement or defence interests
2	Construction, healthcare and teaching occupations where the applicant was in Australia when the application was lodged
3	All other applications where the applicant was in Australia when the application was lodged
4	Construction, healthcare and teaching occupations where the applicant was outside Australia when the application was lodged
5	All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia when the application was lodged

What has changed?

The most notable change is the shift towards an onshore-first processing model.

Under the previous Direction, processing priorities focused on matters such as accredited sponsorship, regional employer-sponsored visas, and healthcare and teaching occupations. Ministerial Direction 119 instead gives greater weight to where an applicant was located at the time they lodged their application.

In addition, construction occupations have also been elevated to the same priority level as healthcare and teaching occupations, reflecting the Government’s ongoing focus on addressing critical workforce shortages.

For employer sponsors, another significant change is that accredited sponsor status no longer attracts a dedicated processing priority.

Family visa processing priorities (Ministerial Direction 117)

Ministerial Direction 117 introduces a similar onshore-first approach for Family stream visa applications.

The Direction provides that higher priority will generally be given to Family visa applications lodged while the primary applicant was in Australia, and where the visa is capable of being granted while the applicant remains in Australia.

Applications lodged offshore, or applications requiring the applicant to be outside Australia at the time of grant, will generally receive a lower processing priority.

Within those broad categories, applications are processed in the following order:

Priority	Family visa applications
1	Applications subject to Ministerial intervention
2	Partner and dependent child applications
3	Orphan Relative applications
4	Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent applications
5	Carer applications
6	Parent, Aged Parent, Remaining Relative and Aged Dependent Relative applications

The Direction also preserves the Department’s ability to prioritise applications involving compelling compassionate circumstances where there are exceptional reasons to depart from the usual order of processing.

National Innovation (subclass 858) visa processing priorities (Ministerial Direction 120)

Ministerial Direction 120 commenced on 25 July 2026, replacing Ministerial Direction 112. Unlike other skilled visas, the National Innovation (subclass 858) visa is processed under its own Ministerial Direction, reflecting the Government’s focus on attracting exceptionally talented individuals who can contribute to Australia’s strategic priorities.

The Direction provides that applications will generally be processed in the following order:

Priority	Applicants
1	Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of internationally recognised “top of field” awards
2	Candidates from any sector nominated by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency
3	Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Tier One priority sectors
4	Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in Tier Two priority sectors

What has changed?

Unlike Ministerial Directions 117 and 119, Ministerial Direction 120 does not introduce an onshore-first processing model. Instead, it continues to prioritise applications according to the applicant’s exceptional achievements and strategic value to Australia.

The Direction maintains priority for:

• globally recognised leaders in their field;
• applicants endorsed by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State or Territory Government agency; and
• individuals with exceptional achievements in Australia’s identified priority sectors.

As the National Innovation Visa remains an invitation-only visa, prospective applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest before receiving an invitation to apply.

How will these changes impact me?

While every application will continue to be assessed on its individual merits, the new Directions are likely to have several practical consequences, including:

• Onshore applicants for skilled and family visas may receive faster processing than comparable offshore applicants;
• Construction, healthcare and teaching professionals are likely to benefit from the revised skilled visa priorities;
• Accredited sponsors and applicants employed in regional areas will no longer receive a standalone processing priority for employer-sponsored applications; and
• National Innovation Visa applicants will continue to be prioritised based on their achievements and Australia’s strategic priorities, rather than their location at the time of application.

Again, these changes affect processing order only. They do not change the eligibility criteria for any visa or guarantee a particular processing timeframe.

Need advice?

The introduction of Ministerial Directions 117, 119 and 120 represents a significant shift in Australia’s visa processing framework.

If you would like advice on how these changes may affect your skilled, family or National Innovation Visa application, please contact the experienced migration lawyers at Hannan Tew Lawyers.

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THIS DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. PLEASE CONSULT AN IMMIGRATION PROFESSIONAL FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION