Following the introduction of Ministerial Directions MD 122 and MD 121, which set new processing priorities for skilled migration, the Department of Home Affairs has issued its second update on processing progress across skilled and employer-sponsored visas.
There have been some notable changes since the previous update. For points-based skilled migration, grants have begun coming through for offshore Subclass 189 applicants in non-priority occupations, while processing has accelerated significantly for onshore Subclass 189 and 190 applicants in priority occupations. Subclass 491 has also moved forward, but allocation limits mean its overall progress remains considerably slower than Subclasses 189 and 190.
For employer-sponsored visas, Subclass 482 processing has slowed overall, with fewer grants recently. Both onshore and offshore Subclass 186 applications have progressed to some extent, while Subclass 494 has seen a marked adjustment back towards previous levels.
Current skilled migration processing priorities
MD 122 primarily applies to Subclasses 186, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887 and 888.
The first priority is for primary applicants whose occupations fall within the seven priority sectors or fields related to law enforcement or defence. Onshore and offshore applications are no longer distinguished within this priority.
The second priority is for all other occupations where the primary applicant lodged the application in Australia.
The third priority is for applications lodged outside Australia that have not included any secondary applicants at any stage.
The fourth priority is for all other applications that do not fall within the three categories above.
MD 121 primarily applies to the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa.
The first priority is for primary applicants whose occupations fall within the seven priority sectors or fields related to law enforcement or defence; the second priority is the Specialist Skills Stream; the third priority is for other applications lodged by primary applicants in Australia; the fourth priority is for applications lodged offshore that have not included any secondary applicants at any stage; and the fifth priority is for all other applications.
New priority occupations
The new ministerial directions have expanded the scope of some priority occupations.
The construction sector now includes occupation group 3122 Civil Engineering Draftsperson and Technician, while the teaching sector now includes 134411 Faculty Head.
Additions in the resources sector include 2336 Mining Engineers, 232212 Surveyor, 323211 Fitter (General) and 323213 Fitter-Welder.
Priority occupations in agriculture, aquaculture and fishing primarily cover agricultural production and occupations that support productivity.
With more occupations entering the first priority, processing dates for some applications in occupations that were already prioritised moved backwards in the previous update. As the new processing arrangements settle into place, however, some categories have progressed significantly in this update.
Subclass 189 skilled independent migration: priority occupations reach October 2026
Processing for Subclass 189 priority occupations has now reached October 2026, an advance of around 11 months since the previous update.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to June 2026, with essentially no further progress.
Offshore applications with no secondary applicants are being processed up to December 2025, an advance of around one month. Other offshore applications remain at around November 2025.
Notably, grants for offshore Subclass 189 applicants in non-priority occupations began appearing around three weeks ago. Some applicants in priority occupations who received invitations in the new Subclass 189 round on 15 October have also already been granted their visas.
This suggests that the new processing priorities are gradually being reflected in the actual speed of visa grants.
Subclass 190 state nomination: substantial progress for onshore priority occupations
Processing for Subclass 190 priority occupations has now reached October 2026, an advance of around 17 months since the previous update.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to April 2026, an advance of around three months.
Both offshore applications with no secondary applicants and other offshore applications remain at February 2025, with no significant progress for now.
For the time being, we have not observed any clear examples of offshore Subclass 190 grants in either priority or non-priority occupations.
The gap in actual processing speed between onshore and offshore Subclass 190 applicants therefore remains substantial at this stage.
Subclass 491 regional state nomination: slower progress as allocation limits become more apparent
Onshore Subclass 491 applications in priority occupations are being processed up to June 2025, an advance of around three months.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to March 2025, an advance of around one month.
Offshore applications with no secondary applicants remain at February 2025, with no significant progress.
Overall, the impact of the reduction in the Subclass 491 allocation for this financial year is becoming more apparent. Even priority occupations are progressing considerably more slowly than Subclasses 189 and 190, with processing generally still concentrated on applications from the first half of 2025, up to around June.
Subclass 191 regional permanent residency: recent progress to March 2026
Onshore Subclass 191 applications across all occupations are at around February 2026, with essentially no further change.
Offshore applications with no secondary applicants are being processed up to March 2026, while other offshore applications are at January 2026.
Notably, there have recently been grants for Subclass 191 applications lodged in March 2026. Several of our Subclass 191 applications lodged in March 2026 have also recently been granted.
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: processing slows overall
Onshore Subclass 482 applications in priority occupations have reached June 2026, an advance of around eight months.
The Specialist Skills Stream is being processed up to July 2026, essentially unchanged from the previous update.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to January 2026, with no significant progress.
Both offshore applications with no secondary applicants and other offshore applications are being processed up to October 2025, with no further progress for now.
Recent experience does show a reduction in the overall number of Subclass 482 applications processed. By comparison, there have been more grants of Subclass 186 employer-sponsored visas recently.
Subclass 186 employer-sponsored permanent residency: significant progress for onshore priority occupations
Onshore Subclass 186 applications in priority occupations have reached November 2025, an advance of around 15 months since the previous update.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to March 2025, an advance of around one month.
Offshore applications with no secondary applicants have reached November 2024, an advance of around four months.
Other offshore applications remain at around July 2024, with no significant change.
The current data shows that onshore Subclass 186 applications in priority occupations are progressing considerably faster than other categories.
Subclass 494 regional employer sponsorship: a marked adjustment back towards previous levels
Onshore Subclass 494 applications in priority occupations have reached December 2025, an overall advance of around three months.
Onshore applications in other occupations are being processed up to September 2025, an advance of around seven months.
Offshore applications with no secondary applicants are being processed up to September 2025, an advance of around 14 months. Other offshore applications are at October 2025, an advance of around 15 months.
Although every Subclass 494 priority category appears to have progressed significantly in this update, the figures need to be considered alongside the previous data.
As the new ministerial directions expanded the range of priority occupations, processing dates across Subclass 494 priority categories moved backwards significantly in the previous update. The new figures are closer to earlier normal levels, so this is better understood as an adjustment back towards previous processing levels, rather than a sudden, substantial acceleration across Subclass 494.
Construction trades applicants can consider employer sponsorship
A substantial share of the current priority occupations in construction are trades, technical and other blue-collar roles.
If you already have a construction trade job in Australia and either have relatively limited English or face some difficulty obtaining a skills assessment, the employer-sponsored pathway is worth assessing in particular.
Students already studying a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Australia whose original field, such as business or IT, makes it difficult to secure long-term status through skilled migration can also consider taking a construction trades course alongside their existing studies, depending on their circumstances.
Construction trades attracting attention include carpentry, tiling and painting. For specific occupations and course choices, see our earlier detailed introduction to studying construction trades and migration pathways.
Applicants currently in Australia on a student visa, Subclass 485 visa or working holiday visa who are considering a construction trades migration pathway can assess their options based on their qualifications, work experience, English proficiency and current visa circumstances.
Processing speeds diverge under the new ministerial directions
The Department of Home Affairs’ latest update shows that, following the introduction of MD 121 and MD 122, processing speeds are diverging further across visa subclasses and priority categories.
The clearest trends are faster progress for onshore Subclass 189 and 190 applicants in priority occupations, and the start of grants for offshore Subclass 189 applicants in non-priority occupations. Subclass 491 is progressing considerably more slowly than Subclasses 189 and 190 because of allocation limits. Subclass 482 processing has slowed overall recently, while onshore Subclass 186 applications in priority occupations have made notable progress.
When estimating how long your application may take, you therefore need to consider your occupation’s priority, where you lodged the application and whether secondary applicants are included, rather than relying solely on the average processing time for a particular visa subclass.
