New Direction for Processing of Skilled Visas

A new Ministerial Direction for prioritising skilled visa applications came into effect on 28 October 2022. Ministerial Direction No.100 prioritises applications in relation to healthcare and teaching occupations, as well as offshore permanent and provisional applications. It also ceases the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and critical sectors.

The following skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Direction No. 100:​

· Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent)

· Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)

· Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)

· Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) (Provisional)

· Subclass 189 (Skilled - Independent)

· Subclass 190 (Skilled - Nominated)

· Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional))

· Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled))

· Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)

· Subclass 489 (Skilled - Regional (Provisional))

· Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))

· Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional))

· Subclass 858 (Global Talent)

· Subclass 887 (Skilled - Regional)

· Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent).

Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:​

· Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation (see below for what occupations are covered by this).

· For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.

· Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.

· For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.

· All other visa applications.​

For all categories above, priority will be given to holders of eligible passports. In addition, within each category above priority is given to visa applications where the primary applicant is located outside Australia at the time the visa application is made.​

The highest priority applications are those related to Healthcare or Teaching Occupations. This relates to the following occupations:

· ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 - Health Professionals

· ANZSCO Minor Group 241 - School Teachers

· ANZSCO Minor Group 411 - Health and Welfare Support Workers

· ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 - Child Care Centre Managers

· ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 - Medical Scientists

· ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 - Counsellors

· ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 - Psychologists

· ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 - Social Workers

· ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 - Medical Technicians

· ANZSCO occupations: 134311 - School Principal; 421111 - Child Care Worker; 423111 - Aged or Disabled Carer; 423312 - Nursing Support Worker; 423313 - Personal Care Assistant.​

If you require further advice about your application and prospects please don’t hesitate to contact us.