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Source update

Permanent and regional skilled visas processed under Ministerial Direction No. 122

Subclass 189 · Skilled Independent visa

Correction — replaces an earlier item

In short: permanent and regional skilled visa applications are now processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction No. 122.

What changed Direction 122 replaced the earlier priorities under Direction 119. It covers the 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888 visas. Applications are processed in this order: 1. Construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources sectors, or Australia's law enforcement and defence interests 2. Applicants who were in Australia when they applied 3. Applicants outside Australia whose application is not combined with another person's 4. All other applications

Who it affects Applicants for these permanent and regional skilled visas, and their sponsors.

Key dates • In force from: 19 September 2026 • Shown on the visa pages from: 2 October 2026

Where to check Home Affairs says allocation dates and processing times may move during the change. The official visa page is linked below. This is general information, not migration advice.

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Publication details

Version 2

Published on YourVisaSite
3 Nov 2026, 8:06 am (Perth)
Effective from
19 September 2026

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Earlier versions (1)

  1. Earlier version — replaced

    Permanent and regional skilled visas processed under Ministerial Direction No. 122

    The Department advises that applications for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visas are now prioritised under Ministerial Direction No. 122. Priority goes to the construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources sectors and to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests, then to applicants who were in Australia at lodgement, ahead of applicants outside Australia. The Department notes that published allocation dates and processing timeframes may fluctuate during the transition.

    Read the source for this version
    Publication details

    Version 1

    Published on YourVisaSite
    27 Oct 2026, 1:44 pm (Perth)

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