Australia Direction 119: New Priority Rules for Skilled Visa and PR Applications
The Australian Government has introduced Direction 119, which sets a new priority order for processing certain Australian skilled visas, employer-sponsored visas and permanent residence (PR) applications.
The new Direction is designed to help Australia process applications for occupations that are important to the country’s economy, workforce and national interests.
If you are planning to apply for an Australian skilled visa, work visa, employer-sponsored visa or PR, it is important to understand how these new processing priorities may affect your application.
What Is Australia Direction 119?
Direction 119 provides instructions on the order in which certain skilled visa nominations and visa applications should be considered and processed.
The Australian Government is giving priority to occupations that support important areas such as:
· Healthcare
· Teaching and education
· Construction and housing
· Law enforcement
· Defence-related occupations
Which Skilled Occupations Will Receive Priority?
Under the new Direction, the highest priority is given to applications related to Australia’s law enforcement and Defence interests.
Other priority occupations include eligible workers in:
Healthcare
Healthcare occupations include a range of health professionals and support workers. This includes certain medical, health and care-related roles.
Teaching and Education
Priority occupations also include certain teachers and education professionals, including school teachers and other eligible education-related occupations.
Construction and Housing
Australia is also giving priority to eligible construction and housing-related occupations.
This includes various construction trades, construction managers, engineers, architects, technicians and other eligible building and construction professionals.
These priority areas reflect Australia’s need for skilled workers in important sectors.
Does Being Inside Australia Give You an Advantage?
In some cases, yes.
The new processing order gives priority to certain applicants who are already in Australia.
For example, eligible applicants who are in Australia and applying in priority sectors such as healthcare, teaching or construction may receive higher processing priority.
After the highest-priority categories, other applications from primary applicants who are already in Australia may also be considered before many applications from applicants outside Australia.
However, the priority given to an application depends on the visa category, occupation and individual circumstances.
Which Australian Visas Are Covered by Direction 119?
Direction 119 applies to several important Australian skilled and employer-sponsored visa categories.
These include:
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Subclass 482 – Skills in Demand Visa
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
- Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Direction also applies to certain other skilled, regional and permanent visa categories.
Does Direction 119 Change Australian PR or Visa Requirements?
No. Direction 119 does not change the eligibility requirements for Australian skilled visas or PR applications.
Applicants must still meet the requirements of their chosen visa category.
Depending on the visa, this may include requirements relating to:
- Your eligible occupation
- Skills and qualifications
- Work experience
- English language ability
- Employer nomination or sponsorship
- State nomination
- Other relevant visa requirements
Direction 119 mainly changes the order in which certain applications and nominations are considered and processed.
It does not guarantee visa approval or a specific processing timeframe.
What Does Direction 119 Mean for Australian Skilled Visa Applicants?
The new Direction may be especially important for skilled workers in healthcare, teaching and construction occupations, as well as certain Defence and law enforcement-related occupations.
Applicants who are already in Australia may also receive a different level of processing priority depending on their occupation and visa application.
However, receiving processing priority does not automatically mean that your visa will be granted. Every applicant must still meet all legal and visa requirements.
The Direction does not change the skilled migration occupation lists or remove the need to meet the normal visa criteria.
Need Help With Your Australian Skilled Visa or PR Application?
Australia’s skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa system can be complex. The right visa pathway depends on your occupation, work experience, qualifications and personal circumstances.
If you are planning to apply for an Australian work visa, skilled visa, employer-sponsored visa or permanent residency (PR), it is important to understand your available options and how current processing priorities may affect your application.
Contact our migration team today to discuss your Australian visa and PR options and get professional guidance for your migration journey.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Australian Future
Planning to move to Australia? Understanding Australia Direction 119 and the latest skilled visa and PR processing priorities can help you better understand your migration options and plan your next steps.
Whether you’re considering a skilled visa, employer-sponsored visa, work visa, or PR pathway, BCS Global can help you understand how the current processing priorities may apply to your circumstances.
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