For employers planning to sponsor overseas workers, who currently reside outside Australia, visa processing priorities can affect recruitment timeframes, workforce planning and the sequencing of critical projects. As at 19 September 2026, Direction 122 establishes the order in which selected skilled and employer-sponsored visa applications should be processed.
The central message for employers is that some nominated occupations are intended to be considered ahead of others, but priority processing is not a guaranteed visa outcome or a fixed processing time promise. A strong, decision ready application remains essential.
The information provided is valid as of 19 September 2026 and may not be valid at time of reading due to constant changes in migration legislation and policy. For accurate migration advice please book a phone consultation with Michelle Firth, Senior Registered Migration Agent, who has over 25 years’ experience.
Which Employer Sponsored Visas Are Covered?
Direction 122 applies to:
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Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
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Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
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Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
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Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
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Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
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Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
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Other selected skilled and regional visa subclasses
It applies both to applications that had not been finally decided when the Direction commenced and to applications lodged after it started.
Importantly, Direction 122 does not alter visa eligibility, occupation lists or substantive visa criteria. Employers and visa applicants must still meet all relevant requirements.
The Four Processing Groups
Applications are grouped into four levels of priority.
Family members included in a combined application receive the same priority as the primary applicant. In practical terms, an eligible family member can be included without lowering a Priority 1 applicant’s processing group.
Priority 1: Occupations and Positions
Priority 1 is the highest processing group. It covers nominated occupations across several sectors that are particularly significant to Australia’s workforce, infrastructure, primary production and strategic needs.
Construction and Infrastructure
Priority 1 applies where the application is in relation to an occupation within the construction occupation categories specified in Direction 122. Those categories include:
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Construction Trades Workers
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Construction and Mining Labourers
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Construction Managers
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Engineering Managers
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Architects and Landscape Architects
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Civil Engineering Professionals
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Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians
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Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
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Safety Inspectors
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Other Building and Engineering Technicians
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Sheetmetal Workers
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Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
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Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators
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Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators
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Earthmoving Plant Operators
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Electrician (General)
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Electrician (Special Class)
Healthcare, Care and Community Support
Priority 1 also includes a broad range of healthcare and support roles:
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Health Professionals
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Health and Welfare Support Workers
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Medical Scientists
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Counsellors
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Psychologists
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Social Workers
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Medical Technicians
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Aged or Disabled Carer
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Nursing Support Worker
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Personal Care Assistant
Teaching and Education
The following teaching and education roles are also listed as Priority 1:
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School Teachers
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Child Care Centre Managers
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School Principals
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Faculty Heads
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University Lecturers
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Vocational Education Teachers / Polytechnic Teachers
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Child Care Workers
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing
For agriculture, aquaculture and fishing, Direction 122 does not rely on a fixed ANZSCO occupation list. Instead, it focuses on whether the nominated position is genuinely and directly involved in primary-produce production or supports productivity.
This can include roles connected with:
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Cultivating, producing or harvesting crops
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Catching fish or breeding, raising, managing or producing livestock, poultry, seafood or other primary agricultural products
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Agricultural-production support, including animal health, irrigation, quality assurance, inspection and farm supervision
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slaughter, dressing, boning, slicing, processing, preparation or inspection of livestock, poultry, seafood or other primary agricultural products for sale, distribution or consumption.
The substance of the position matters. An occupation title alone may not establish Priority 1 status if the actual duties are not directly connected to the activities described in the Direction.
Resources
A role in the resources sector may qualify for Priority 1 where the nominated position directly supports the exploration, extraction or production of minerals, oil, gas or coal. This includes mine closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation work.
Listed occupations and groups include:
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Mining Engineers
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Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists
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Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers
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Production Manager (Mining)
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Surveyors
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Other Spatial Scientists
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Metallurgists
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Fitter (General)
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Fitter and Turner
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Fitter-Welder
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Metal Machinist (First Class)
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Metal Fitters and Machinists not elsewhere classified
Police and Defence
Specific police and defence-related positions can also receive Priority 1 treatment.
For police roles, the applicant must be nominated or sponsored by an identified Australian police agency and be within ANZSCO Unit Group 4413 Police.
For defence-related work, the position may qualify where it relates to or supports AUKUS Pillar I or Pillar II, is nominated or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or Department of Defence, or is supported by an appropriate letter and connected to defence facilities, defence materiel or defence-related technology.
The Key Message for Employers
Direction 122 establishes an order for considering and disposing of selected skilled and employer-sponsored visa applications. Employers may fall within the highest-priority group where an application relates to a construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources occupation as defined in the Direction, or an occupation related to Australia’s law-enforcement or defence interests. Priority processing does not change the visa criteria or guarantee a visa grant or a fixed processing timeframe
