Ministerial Direction 119: Who is Now at the Front of the Visa Queue?
On 24 July 2026, the Minister for Immigration, Tony Burke, signed a significant new legal order: Ministerial Direction (MD) 119. This document officially changes the order of priority for processing skilled visa nominations and applications by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).
In simple terms, MD 119 tells Department officers which files to open first and which ones to process next. If you are applying for a skilled visa, your occupation and your current location (onshore or offshore) now matter more than ever for your processing speed.
The Core Strategy: Onshore and Essential Services
The Australian Government has made its priorities clear. The new direction is designed to support the economy by fast-tracking workers already in Australia, as well as those in critical sectors such as healthcare, teaching, construction, and national security.
MD119: The New Order of Priority
The Department will now process applications in the following order, from highest to lowest priority:
Priority 1: Primary applicants who are already in Australia and work in Law Enforcement or Defence (including AUKUS-related roles).
Priority 2: Primary applicants who are outside Australia and work in Law Enforcement or Defence.
Priority 3: Primary applicants who are already in Australia and work in Healthcare, Teaching, or Construction (specifically housing-related trades).
Priority 4: All other primary applicants who are already in Australia.
Priority 5: All other primary applicants who are outside Australia.
Which Occupations Are Included in the Priority Order?
Direction 119 provides specific lists of who qualifies for priority in these sectors:
Construction: This includes trades such as Bricklayers, Carpenters, and Electricians, as well as Construction Managers, Architects, and Civil Engineering Professionals.
Healthcare: This covers roles such as Registered Nurses, General Practitioners (GPs), Aged or Disabled Carers, Medical Scientists, and Counsellors.
Teaching: This includes School Principals, Vocational Education Teachers, and Child Care Workers.
Which Visas Does This Affect?
This new priority order applies to almost all major skilled visa categories, including:
Employer-Sponsored: Skills in Demand (SID) (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visas.
Points-Tested: Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visas.
Regional: Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
What Remains the Same?
It is important to remember that MD 119 is about speed, not eligibility.
It does not change the visa criteria. You still need to meet the same health, character, and skills requirements.
It does not change the skilled occupation lists.
It applies to both new applications and those already waiting in the system.
If you are currently onshore in Australia and work in one of the priority sectors, your pathway to a visa grant just became significantly faster. However, if you are an offshore applicant in a non-priority occupation, you should expect longer processing times as the Department focuses its resources on applications listed in Priorities 1 through 4.
Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.
Related:
Claim Work Experience Points for GSM: Onshore vs. Offshore Remote Work
Why an EOI Does Not Equal a Bridging Visa: A Crucial Warning for Visa Applicants
Chef Visa Pathways to Permanent Residency: Subclass 482 vs Subclass 494 Visa
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you need help determining which work visa pathway is best for your specific circumstances, reach out to speak with one of our immigration lawyers for professional advice and guidance. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers work together with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English and Mandarin. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
Our founder and principal lawyer, Jason Ling, is recognised in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ and the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Agape Henry Crux is named as Best Immigration Law Firm 2025 - Sydney by APAC Insider Awards.
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