Summary of Changes
As of July 25, 2026, Australia’s new Ministerial Direction 119 (MD 119) has shifted employer sponsored processing to an onshore priority model, with priority determined by occupation and the applicant’s location at the time of lodgement.
The new system determines priority principally by:
- Occupations identified in priority industries; and
- whether the primary applicant was in Australia or outside Australia at the time of application.
The new five-tier structure broadly prioritizes:
- Law enforcement and defense occupations – applicant onshore
- Law enforcement and defense occupations – applicant offshore
- Healthcare, teaching and construction occupations – applicant onshore
- All other occupations – applicant onshore
- All other applications – applicant offshore
Existing and New Applications Affected by the Change
The changes apply not only to new applications but also to applications already lodged and awaiting decision. As a result, applications that fall outside the immediate priority lanes may experience longer processing times as existing queues are re-ordered.
What employer-sponsored visas are affected?
- 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Temporary
- 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Provisional
- 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Permanent)
Do the changes affect visa eligibility?
No, the changes do not alter eligibility criteria, occupation lists, income thresholds or any other requirement for nomination approval or visa grant. The changes only effect the order of processing.
How does this affect existing Accredited Business Sponsors?
The existing benefits still apply to accredited sponsors however the Direction removes the priority assessment benefit. This means, accredited sponsors will be subject to standard processing times unless applications slot into the new five tier structure.
Effect on Regional Applications
The standalone priority previously given to applications connected with designated regional areas has also been removed. A subclass 494 or a regional 482 and 186, now sit under the new priority Direction.
Department of Home Affairs advertised processing for SID 482 applications, as of August 2026
The Department of Home Affairs are currently advertising re-ordering of assessment and providing the following processing indications.
| Submission Date | Tier Priority |
| July 2026 | Australian law enforcement or defense interests |
| July 2026 | Healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants) |
| October 2025 | Construction occupations (onshore applicants) |
| October 2025 | All other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time the application |
| October 2025 | All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application |
Department of Home Affairs advertised processing for ENS 186 applications, as of August 2026
| Submission Date | Tier Priority |
| June 2026 | Australian law enforcement or defense interests |
| June 2026 | Healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants); |
| September 2024 | Construction occupations (onshore applicants) |
| July 2024 | All other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time the application |
| July 2024 | All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application |
Practical Implications for Employers
- Offshore recruitment timelines may lengthen for occupations outside the priority lists, as onshore applications are now reached first.
- Accredited sponsors may consider recalibration of internal expectations and candidate communications around processing speed.
- Where timing is critical, an applicant’s location at the time of lodgement is now a genuine strategic consideration.
- Candidates already in Australia may progress noticeably faster than comparable offshore hires.
We will continue to monitor developments and expect the Department of Home Affairs to amend their processing indications. Should you require further information please reach out to your Newland Chase Advisor.
This alert is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact Newland Chase directly for case-specific guidance.
