Australia Changes Processing Priority for Skilled Visa Applications
Australia has changed how skilled visa applications are processed, giving priority to certain sectors as of September 19, 2026.
According to the report:
- Applications linked to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, law enforcement, and defence interests will be processed first.
- This change affects both new applications and those previously lodged but still pending.
Priority is determined by:
- Sector: The industry related to the application.
- Location: Where the applicant was located when they submitted their application.
- Visa Type (Temporary Skilled Visas): For temporary visas, specific sectors like construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, and resources receive top priority, along with applications from Australian law enforcement and defence agencies.
- Joint Applications (Temporary Skilled Visas): Applications cannot be jointly lodged with another person's application to qualify for this priority group.
Other important points:
- The priority system also applies to the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482).
- A similar priority order is in place for permanent skilled visas, following the same principles.
The new rules take effect immediately and will be applied to:
- New applications
- Pending applications lodged before September 19, 2026