Since September 19, 2026, Australia has changed the order in which work visa applications are processed. Now the applicant’s occupation, place of application, and whether dependants are included determine who gets reviewed first. The new rules affect both temporary and permanent visas.
How the processing order has changed
Previously, Direction 119 applied. It has been replaced by Directions 121 and 122, which took effect on September 19, 2026. The new rules apply to all applications, including those already awaiting a decision, and may affect which visa type to apply for in the future.
Priority does not guarantee approval and does not set specific processing timeframes. Applicants must still meet all visa requirements.
Priorities for the subclass 482 temporary work visa
Direction 121 applies to the subclass 482 visa, which grants the right to work temporarily in Australia. Applications are processed in the following order.
The first priority group covers five sectors: construction, health care, education, agriculture and aquaculture, and mining.
The second group is high-earning specialists under the Specialist Skills Stream.
The third is primary applicants located in Australia at the time of application.
The fourth is primary applicants who applied from overseas without dependants.
The fifth covers all other applications. The first two groups receive priority regardless of whether the applicant is onshore or offshore.
Priority order for the subclass 482 visa
Five processing groups in descending order of priority
| Priority group | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Priority sectors | First group | Regardless of location |
| 2. Highly skilled specialists | Second group | Regardless of location |
| 3. Primary applicant in Australia | Third group | Onshore |
| 4. Primary applicant alone from overseas | Fourth group | Offshore |
| 5. All others | Fifth group | Remaining applications |
Priorities for permanent and temporary skilled visas
Direction 122 covers several visa types: 186, 189, 190, and 491. The 491 visa is a temporary status that can lead to permanent residence.
The first priority group covers in-demand occupations.
The second is primary applicants who applied from within Australia.
The third is foreign nationals who applied alone from overseas.
The fourth covers all other applications.
How family status affects priority
Applying alone means the applicant does not include a partner in the application. It does not require being single or unpartnered.
If two cooks with identical skills, the same job, and the same industry apply from overseas for a subclass 482 visa, but one applies alone while the other adds a partner, the first falls into the fourth priority group, while the second falls into the fifth, the lowest.
However, there is an important nuance: family members included in a combined application receive the primary applicant’s priority. If the primary applicant falls into the first group due to their occupation, the whole family is assessed with that priority.
What priority means for applicants’ plans
The processing order applies to both new applications and those already lodged. These changes may affect decisions about which visa to apply for and when. Applicants are advised to understand their priority category when planning to lodge an application.
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