Processing priorities for skilled migration visa applications
Skilled migration visa proposals are managed according to government policy primacies, which are drawn in the ministerial directions.
The following skilled migration visas are subject to governmental directions and include:
• Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent).
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme).
• Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme).
• Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment).
• Subclass 189 (Independent – Skilled) Points-tested Stream.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated).
• Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional).
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional).
• Subclass 494 (Employer-Sponsored Regional).
• Subclass 858 (Global Talent)
In order of significance, processing of the above-skilled migration visa applications is resolute by:
Any of the following:
• Regional Sponsored or Employer-Sponsored where the nominated profession is specified in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
• Employer or Regional Sponsored where the nominated profession is an Agriculture Sector.
• The candidate is nominated by an employer under a Global Talent Employer-Sponsored Agreement.
• All applications are recognised through the Global Talent Program.
• Subclass 188 visa applications in the Noteworthy Investor stream.
• All other Subclass 188 visa applications.
• Occupations within a Critical Sector.
• Regional or Employer-Sponsored by an employer who is a party to a labour agreement under a Designated Area Migration Agreement.
• Subclass 494 Employer-Sponsored Regional, where the candidate is nominated by an approved sponsor with nominated or Accredited Status by a labour agreement not mentioned in primacy.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional).
• Employer-Sponsored, where the candidate is nominated by an approved sponsor with nominated, or Accredited Status by a party to a labour agreement not mentioned in priority.
• Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme), where the candidate is nominated by an approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
• Subclass 489 Skilled – Regional.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated).
• Subclass 189 (Independent – Skilled) in the Points-tested stream
• All other visa applications are subject to this Direction.
Processing priorities for skilled temporary visa applications
Skilled temporary visa petitions are processed according to government policy primacies, which are outlined in the Ministerial Directions.
In order of importance, processing of the above skilful temporary visa applications is determined by:
1. Any of the following:
• Nominated occupations specified in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
• Nominations lodged about a Global Talent Employer-Sponsored Agreement
• Nominations lodged about an Agricultural Sector Occupation.
• Nominations lodged for a profession in a Critical Sector are not mentioned.
• Occupations in regional Australia, where candidates are selected under a Designated Area Migration Agreement.
• Applicants who are selected by approved sponsors with Accredited Status.
• Applicants who chase to satisfy the criteria for grant in the Labour Agreement stream of the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa program are not mentioned.
2. Applicants who are chosen by approved sponsors with Accredited Status not mentioned in priority above
3. Nominations lodged by a representative to a Labour Agreement not mentioned in priority.
4. All other nominations filed under the Subclass 457(Temporary Work (Skilled)), including Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa applications.
Processing priorities for other skilled visa applications
All other skilled visa applications are measured in the order of date of lodgement.
Visa application lodgement requirements
To support in handling, it is important to lodge a complete application and provide all the supporting documents as soon as possible. We may not ask you for further documents before deciding on your visa application.
If you have applied for your visa in IME Advisors, the checklists provided will help you in making sure you include all required documents in your application.
If you did not apply for your visa through IME Advisors, please refer to the relevant webpage for your visa subclass. You must make sure you have included all documents listed in the Gather your documents section under Step by Step instructions.
