MD 100

24th November 2022

The Australian Government has issued new directions for prioritising skilled visa applications.

Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:

1.  Visa applications in relation to healthcare or teaching occupation.
2.  For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
3.  Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
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 skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Discretion No. 100:

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 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled))
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))