Priority Processing

We often get asked by our clients: how long will it take to process my visa application? The short answer is that it depends on where the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) priorities lie. The Department publishes most of the processing times in approximates. See here.

There are some Directions however, given under section 499 of the Migration Act, that ensure particular classes of visas, particular critical positions, and particular passport holders are given priority processing.

One such Direction (Direction no.92) commenced 7 July 2021 and directed Department decision makers to give priority to certain Skilled Migration Visas.

The order of priority processing for such visas is (first listed = top priority):

(a) Nominations lodged in relation to an occupation specified in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, and separately nominations lodged in relation to a Global Talent Employer Sponsored Agreement, and separately nominations lodged in relation to a Subclass 188 visa in the Significant Investor stream and separately nominations lodged in relation to an Agriculture Sector Occupation;

(b) Nominations lodged in relation to an occupation within a Critical Sector, other than those mentioned in (a) above;

(c) Nominations lodged in relation to an Employer Sponsored visa or a Regional Sponsored visa by an employer who is a party to a labour agreement under a Designated Area Migration Agreement;

(d) Nominations lodged in relation to a Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa. Within this priority, nominations lodged by approved sponsors with Accredited Status and nominations lodged by a party to a labour agreement not mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) are to have precedence;

(e) All other nominations lodged in relation to an Employer Sponsored visa. Within this priority, nominations by approved sponsors with Accredited Status, or nominations lodged by a party to a labour agreement not mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) are to have precedence;

(f) Nominations lodged in relation to a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa. Within this priority, nominations lodged by approved sponsors with Accredited Status are to have precedence.

(g) All other nominations.

In relation to the above, priority will be given to those applicants that are already in Australia. Furthermore, Hong Kong passport holders will be given further priority if they fall into one of the categories from (a) to (f) above.

To learn more about your Skilled Migration Visa options, or to speak with one of our migration consultants, contact us today or call our Gold Coast office on +61 (0)7 5592 0755.