New Ministerial Direction Prioritises Skilled Visa Applications to Boost Regional Australia

As of December 15, 2023, a new Ministerial Direction, designated as Ministerial Direction No. 105, has been implemented to prioritise skilled visa applications in alignment with the Migration Strategy objectives.

Ministerial Direction No. 105 specifically addresses the imperative to bolster regional Australia by streamlining the processing of visas for businesses situated in regional areas that are sponsoring skilled worker. The new Ministerial Direction elevates applications for employer sponsored visas in relation to occupations to be carried out in regional Australia to the highest priority.

Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:

For employer sponsored visas, visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.

Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation.

For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.

For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.

All other visa applications.

The following skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Direction No. 105:

• Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent)

• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)

• Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)

• Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) (Provisional)

• Subclass 189 (Skilled - Independent)

• Subclass 190 (Skilled - Nominated)

• Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional))

• Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)

• Subclass 489 (Skilled - Regional (Provisional))

• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))

• Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional))

• Subclass 858 (Global Talent)

• Subclass 887 (Skilled - Regional)

• Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent).

For further information, please contact one of our highly experienced Registered Migration Agents.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case-specific information or advice, please get in touch with SCA Connect.