In short: Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa applications are now processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction 121.
What changed Ministerial Direction 121 replaced the earlier priorities under Direction 119. 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. The Specialist Skills stream 3. Applicants who were in Australia when they applied 4. Applicants outside Australia whose application is not combined with another person's 5. All other applications
Who it affects Skills in Demand (482) visa applicants and their sponsoring employers.
Key dates • In force from: 19 September 2026 • Shown on the 482 visa page from: 1 October 2026
Where to check Home Affairs says published allocation dates and processing times may move, and some may rise for a while, as applications are reprioritised. The official visa page is linked below. This is general information, not migration advice.
Publication details
Version 2
- Published on YourVisaSite
- 3 Nov 2026, 8:06 am (Perth)
- Effective from
- 19 September 2026
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