Subclass 482 Processing Priorities (Ministerial Direction 121)
Over recent weeks, there have been a number of changes to the Department’s approach to the order of priority for assessing Subclass 482 visa applications.
Since 25 July 2026, the Department has prioritised applications based on whether the applicant was inside or outside Australia at the time of application. That is no longer the case. The Department’s current approach places greater emphasis on the industry sector to which the application relates.
On 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 121 commenced and replaced the existing directions governing the order in which Subclass 482 applications are assessed. The new Direction applies to all pending Subclass 482 applications, not just those submitted after 19 September 2026.
Ministerial Direction 121 sets out that Subclass 482 applications will be assessed in the following order:
Occupations related to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, resources, law enforcement and defence.
Applications in the ‘Specialist Skills’ stream (high-salary roles, with some exceptions).
All other applications where the applicant applied while in Australia.
All other applications where the applicant applied while outside Australia and did not have any dependent applicants with them.
All applications that do not fit within the first four categories.
This update will be most welcomed by employers sponsoring employees from offshore on Subclass 482 visas, who work in one of the listed industry sectors or are applying in the Specialist Skills stream.
If you are unsure how this update affects your business and want greater clarity, please get in touch.
