Home Affairs changed the order it processes family and skilled visas twice in 2026. From 25 July, family visa applications made from inside Australia go first. From 19 September, skilled visas follow a new order that puts key sectors first, then applicants who applied from inside Australia. The government says the aim is to prioritise onshore migrants and reduce net overseas migration.
What changed
Processing order is set by Ministerial Directions, which case officers must follow.
| Direction | Covers | In effect from | Replaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 117 | Family visas (partner, child, parent and other family) | 25 July 2026 | Direction 102 |
| No. 120 | National Innovation and other subclass 858 visas | 25 July 2026 | — |
| No. 121 | Temporary skilled: Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | 19 September 2026 | Direction 119 |
| No. 122 | Provisional and permanent skilled (186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887, 888) | 19 September 2026 | Direction 119 |
Who it affects: anyone with a family or skilled visa application waiting for a decision, and anyone about to apply.
Family visas (Direction 117)
Highest priority goes to family applications made while the main applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted in Australia. Applications made from outside Australia, or for visas that must be granted outside Australia, get lower priority.
Within those groups, the order is:
- applications that have had ministerial intervention
- partner and dependent child visas
- orphan relative visas
- contributory parent and contributory aged parent visas
- carer visas
- parent, aged parent, remaining relative and aged dependent relative visas
Capped family visas, such as parent visas, are still processed in queue date order under Direction 103. Home Affairs says an application can be moved up only in compassionate circumstances with compelling reasons, decided case by case.
In practice: an onshore partner visa (820/801) now sits ahead of an offshore partner visa (309/100). See our partner visa processing time guide.
Skilled visas (Directions 121 and 122)
Permanent and provisional skilled visas (including the 189, 190, 491, 186 and 494) are processed in this order:
- applications in the construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing or resources sectors, or linked to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests
- applications made while the applicant was in Australia
- applications made from outside Australia where the main applicant applied alone (no one else combined in the application)
- all other applications
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) follows the same order, with one extra step: Specialist Skills stream applications come second, straight after the priority sectors.
These Directions have no separate priority for regional visas.
What to do now
- Already applied? The new order applies to applications already waiting. There is nothing to request.
- About to apply? Lodge a complete application. Home Affairs points applicants to its "check twice, submit once" guidance, because missing documents slow every case down.
- Choosing between onshore and offshore? Where you apply from now affects how fast you're processed. Check the visa's own rules first, since some visas must be applied for from a specific location.
Official sources: New Ministerial Directions for the processing of Family and Skilled visas (29 July 2026), Family visa processing priorities and Skilled visa processing priorities, Department of Home Affairs. Checked against the official pages on 8 October 2026.
FAQ
Are onshore visa applications processed faster now?
For family visas, yes: Direction 117 gives the highest priority to applications made from inside Australia. For skilled visas, onshore applications come second, after applications in the priority sectors.
Which sectors get priority for skilled visas?
Construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus applications linked to Australia's law enforcement and defence interests. This applies under Directions 121 and 122 from 19 September 2026.
Can I ask for my application to be prioritised?
For family visas, Home Affairs says priority is given only in special compassionate circumstances with compelling reasons, decided case by case.
