The Australian government has established a new visa processing priority system for a number of skilled, employer-sponsored and regional migration visas.
The new framework applies to visas including Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) and others.
Applicants working in jobs related to Australia’s law enforcement and national defence will be given the greatest priority under the new approach.
Applicants working in specific healthcare, teaching and construction occupations will be given the second highest degree of priority.
The government would also prioritise people already living in Australia over those applying from outside. The move is aimed at tackling significant skills shortages and helping industries deemed crucial to the country’s national interests, such as its AUKUS relationship with the United Kingdom and the United States.
At the same time, the updated policy removes the former priority given to regional posts and to applications filed by certified sponsors.
This new processing framework will apply to visa applications made on or after July 25, 2026 and to pending applications that are not yet finalised.
This means that some visa categories that were previously prioritised may now have longer processing times. This includes certain subclass 186 applications for regional locations outside the newly specified priority occupations.
These applications have recently been taking about 12 to 15 months to process, but waiting times could increase under the new approach.
The Australian government also updated the processing priorities for the Family Migration and National Innovation visa programs.
The priorities for Family Migration have largely remained the same; however, applicants currently residing in Australia will now be given greater preference.
The National Innovation visa will continue to favour those who are world leaders, those who are recommended by the government and those who have extraordinary achievements in Tier 1 industries.
Priority industries are vital technology, renewable and low-emission energy technologies, and the health care industry.
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