What is Ministerial Direction 105 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

Visa Processing priorities for skilled visa applications

​Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, which are outlined in the Official Ministerial Direction No. 105. This new direction for visa processing replaces Ministerial Direction 100.

​​​​​Processing priorities for skilled visa applications

​The following skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Direction No. 105:​

• 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 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:​

1. For employer sponsored visas, visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area*.
2. Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation.
3. For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
4. For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.
5. 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.

• For further information on where is considered a designated regional area, see Regional migration (homeaffairs.gov.au)​​

Healthcare or Teaching 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.​

Processing priorities for other skilled visa applications

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