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📙 Daily Activity Report: 10 Aug 2026
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Ministerial Direction 119 Priority Levels
Priority Occupations are Construction, Health and Teaching. Check priority occupation tag here. The processing priority (from higher to lower) is as follows: 1. ONSHORE Priority Occupations 2. ONSHORE Non-Priority Occupations (all occupations that are not priority) 3. OFFSHORE ALL Occupations.
Read more on Direction 119 here.
DoHA has updated the 189 visa website in which they have published the submission dates of recent applications allocated for processing. Does this mean applications are being processed in parallel now and offshore grants will begin? Haven't seen any offshore grants in recent times. Or will we need to wait for all applications in bullet points 1-3 before bullet point 4 commences?
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189
The text reads (unable to add screenshot): "Applications for the Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) visa (Points-tested stream) are prioritised in accordance with Ministerial Direction No. 119.
Applications currently being allocated for processing were generally lodged in:
As received – related to Australian law enforcement or defence interests June 2026 for construction, healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants) January 2026 – all other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application November 2025 – all other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application."
Hey @all
Thought of sharing this - I found a FOI request on the no.of visa grants for the occupation group '2335 - Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers' from July 2025 to April 2026. The grant number is almost 1000. My assumption is around 1150 till June 2026.
So, It looks like there will not be any 189 invites for us this year too. If they are following the same tier system as last year.
@gregromendel and @biotechy, I'm in VIC metro and waited for an invite for the whole 2025-2026 FY with 100pts. Should I just leave Aus & apply offshore ROI for other states that may consider?
I don't want to move offshore because of the onshore preference - but if that can at least get me an invite? then I might.
Has anyone heard any updates on when the Department of Home Affairs will resume granting subclass 491 offshore visas?
Lately, I can mostly see 189 and 190 visa grants, while there seem to be very few (if any) offshore 491 grants being reported. Many offshore applicants, including those in priority occupations, have been waiting for a long time with no clear updates.
Does anyone have any information or recent grant reports for 491 offshore applications? Is there any estimated timeline for when offshore 491 grants might start moving again?
It would be great if anyone with recent grant experiences or reliable information could share. The uncertainty is becoming very stressful for many of us waiting offshore.