What is Ministerial Direction 109 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

🔴 Important

Ministerial Direction 109 was released on 19 September 2024. However, on 20 September 2024, ministerial direction 109 seems to be removed from DHA website, and previous direction 105 is in effect as per DHA website. This FAQ will be updated as more information is released by DHA.

​Processing priorities for skilled visa applications​ as per Ministerial Direction 109

Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, which are outlined in Ministerial Direction No. 109. This direction replaces the previous Ministerial Direction 105.

The following skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Direction No. 109:

Schedule A

• 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 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).

Schedule B

• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)

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

For provisional and permanent skilled visa (Schedule A) applications are processed in the following order of priority, with priority given to the processing of onshore applications over offshore applications in each category:

• For employer sponsored visas, visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area*.
• Visa applications in relation to a construction occupation, healthcare occupation or teaching occupation.
• For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
• For provisional and permanent 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 the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) (Schedule B) visa applications will be processed in the following order of priority in each category:

• Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
• Visa applications in relation to a healthcare occupation or a teaching occupation.
• Visa applications with an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
• All other visa applications.

*The following employer sponsored visas are included in the top priority where an occupation is to be carried out in a designated regional area:

• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
• Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa
• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.

** Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa is closed to new applications from July 2024, see News page (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Construction occupation (where each occupation is of equal priority):

• ANZSCO Sub-major Group 33 - Construction Trades Workers
• ANZSCO Unit Group 1331 - Construction Managers
• ANZSCO Unit Group 2321 - Architects and Landscape Architects
• ANZSCO Unit Group 3121 - Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians
• ANZSCO Unit Group 3126 - Safety Inspectors
• ANZSCO Unit Group 8211 - Building and Plumbing Labourers
• ANZSCO Unit Group 8212 - Concreters
• ANZSCO Construction occupations:
  • 233213 - Quantity Surveyor
  • 233214 - Structural Engineer
  • 312911 - Maintenance Planner
  • 312914 - Other draftsperson
  • 312999 - Building and Engineering Technicians not elsewhere classified (nec)
  • 322312 - Pressure Welder
  • 322313 - Welder (First Class) (Aus) / Welder (NZ)
  • 341111 - Electrician (General)
  • 341112 - Electrician (Special Class)
  • 394112 - Cabinetmaker

Healthcare Occupations (where each occupation is of equal priority):

• ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 - Health Professionals
• ANZSCO Minor Group 411 - Health and Welfare Support Workers
• 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:
  • 423111 - Aged or Disabled Carer
  • 423312 - Nursing Support Worker
  • 423313 - Personal Care Assistant.

Teaching Occupations (where each occupation is of equal priority):

• ANZSCO Minor Group 241 - School Teachers
• ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 - Child Care Centre Managers
• ANZSCO occupations:
  • 134311 - School Principal
  • 421111 - Child Care Worker

Processing priorities for other skilled visa applications

All other skilled visa applications are assessed in order of date of lodgement.