New Ministerial Directions for processing Family and Skilled visas

Correction — replaces an earlier itemAdded 3 Nov 2026

In short: three new Ministerial Directions changed the order in which Family and Skilled visa applications are processed.

What changed The directions put applications from people already in Australia (onshore) ahead in the Skilled and Family programs. Home Affairs says they support the Government's policy of reducing Net Overseas Migration. For skilled visas these were later replaced by Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 from 19 September 2026 (see the separate updates).

Who it affects People with a Skilled or Family visa application waiting to be processed.

Key dates • In force from: 25 July 2026 • Announced by Home Affairs: 29 July 2026

Where to check The official announcement is linked below. The current processing order for each visa is on the Home Affairs visa processing priorities page. 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: 25 July 2026

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Earlier versions (1)

Earlier version — replaced
New Ministerial Directions for processing Family and Skilled visas
On 25 July 2026, three new Ministerial Directions came into effect for the processing of Skilled and Family visa applications. The Department states the directions support the Government's policy of prioritising applications from onshore migrants across the Skilled and Family programs and reducing Net Overseas Migration. Current processing order for each visa is published on the Department's visa processing priorities page.
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Publication details
Version 1
Published on YourVisaSite
27 Oct 2026, 1:47 pm (Perth)
Effective from
25 July 2026
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New Ministerial Directions for processing Family and Skilled visas

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