Ministerial Direction 100: New Processing Priorities
On 28 October 2022, a new Ministerial Direction for prioritising skilled visa applications came into effect. The order of priority for considering applications is specified in this Direction to ensure the appropriate allocation of resources in considering and disposing of applications, and that certain cohorts of applications are given priority.
In summary, Direction 100 provides that skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:
- Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation (see link here or below for a list of applicable occupations)
- For employer sponsored visas, visa applications in all sectors where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status
- Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area
- For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa
- All other visa applications.
In Direction 100, priority is given to visa applications where the primary applicant is located outside Australia at the time the visa application is made (i.e., offshore permanent, and provisional applications).
Notably, direction 100 ceases the application of the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) noting that it was outdated and no longer reflected the critical workforce shortages seen across Australia. The direction also removes priority for the Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment Programs, and visa applications for these programs will still be processed efficiently in line with planning levels made under the annual Migration Program.
Healthcare or teaching occupation
Healthcare or teaching occupation means an occupation in any of the following (where each occupation is of equal priority):
- ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 – Health Professionals
- ANZSCO Minor Group 241 – School Teachers
- ANZSCO Minor Group 411 – Health and Welfare Support Workers
- ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 – Child Care Centre Managers
- ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 – Medical Scientists
- ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 – Counsellors
- ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 – Psychologists
- ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 – Social Workers
- ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 – Medical Technicians
- ANZSCO occupations:
- 134311 – School Principal
- 421111 – Child Care Worker
- 423111 – Aged or Disabled Carer
- 423312 – Nursing Support Worker
- 423313 – Personal Care Assistant.
Processing times
For more information see global processing times. Contact Migration Affairs for a consultation today!
