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⏰ Updates to SmartVisaGuide Visa Processing Time
The visa grant date prediction tool on this website will be updated by the end of this week, to adjust the calculation based on the new Ministerial Direction 119 priorities. Moreover, the subclass pages will also start showing 3 sets of processing times: 1. ONSHORE Priority Occupations 2. ONSHORE Non-Priority Occupations 3. OFFSHORE ALL Occupations. This aligns with the priority order specified in direction 119.
📣 We expect to launch the change on Monday morning 03 Aug 2026. 🚨 However the calculation method will be a bit unstable for atleast a month due to smaller sample sizes and a sudden re-allocation of data points to new categories. By the end of August, a new representative processing time will emerges, reflecting the new processing priorities.
Ministerial Direction 119 and New Visa Processing Priorities
Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas Nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas are processed according to Government policy priorities, which are outlined in Ministerial Direction 119 (3MB PDF) and came into effect on 25 July 2026.
From this date, Ministerial Direction 119 has replaced all processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 105. Ministerial Direction 119 applies to all on hand applications, including for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program, which was not previously included under Ministerial Direction 105. Prioritisation under Ministerial Direction 119 is afforded according to both occupation and the location of applicants at the time of application. - Occupations supporting Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are afforded the highest priority, followed by those in construction, healthcare, and teaching. - Applicants who are already in Australia have higher priority than those who are outside Australia.
Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications
Skilled nomination and visa applications are processed in the following order of priority: 1. The first and highest priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 2. The second priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application. 3. The third priority is given to nomination and visa applications relating to construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 4. The fourth priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 5. The fifth and final priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application.
Visa classes and subclasses included in this Direction
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)(subclass 191) visa Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa.
Resources
Media Release: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/skilled-visa Ministerial Direction 119: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf
