189 Visa Processing Time: What MD122 Changes in 2026

The 189 visa processing time will be affected by new skilled visa processing priorities from 19 September 2026.

Ministerial Direction 122 will replace the skilled processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 119.

Subclass 189 is included in the new processing framework.

MD122 changes the order in which eligible applications are processed. It does not change the core eligibility rules for the visa.

What Changes Will MD122 Make to the 189 Visa Processing Time?

There is no single 189 visa processing time for every applicant.

Processing can vary because of application completeness, case complexity, application volumes and government processing priorities.

From 19 September 2026, MD122 will place covered skilled visa applications into four priority levels.

The priority level affects where an application sits in the processing order.

It does not guarantee a fixed decision date.

What Are the Four MD122 Priority Levels for Subclass 189?

The four priority levels under MD122 are:

Priority 1 applications are processed before Priority 2 applications.

Priority 2 applications are processed before Priority 3 applications.

Priority 3 applications are processed before Priority 4 applications.

The Department can also consider application completeness and requests for further information.

This means applicants can have different processing experiences even within the same visa subclass.

Who Can Receive Priority 1 for a 189 Visa?

Priority 1 applies to defined sectors and Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.

The listed sectors include:

• Construction
• Healthcare
• Teaching
• Agriculture
• Aquaculture
• Fishing
• Resources
• Australia's law enforcement interests
• Australia's defence interests

Working in a broad industry does not automatically place an application in Priority 1.

The occupation or interest must fall within the categories defined by the Direction.

Applicants should check the specific occupation and circumstances rather than relying only on their industry.

Does Being Onshore Give a 189 Visa Application Priority?

Being in Australia when you lodge can place your application in Priority 2.

This applies when the application does not qualify for Priority 1.

For example, an eligible applicant with a non-Priority 1 occupation may fall into Priority 2 when lodging onshore.

An applicant outside Australia in the same circumstances may fall into Priority 3.

The location of the applicant at lodgement therefore matters under MD122.

This does not mean every onshore application will receive Priority 2.

The application must still meet the relevant visa requirements.

Does MD122 Apply to Existing 189 Visa Applications?

MD122 can apply to eligible applications lodged before 19 September 2026.

This includes applications that have not been finally determined when the new Direction commences.

It also applies to eligible applications lodged from 19 September 2026.

Existing applicants should therefore check the new priority framework.

They should not assume that the previous processing arrangements will continue unchanged.

Does MD122 Change 189 Visa Eligibility or Points?

MD122 is a processing priority Direction.

It does not replace the eligibility requirements for the subclass 189 visa.

Applicants still need to satisfy the relevant visa criteria.

This includes the nominated occupation, suitable skills assessment, invitation and points test requirements.

The points test remains a separate part of the SkillSelect process.

MD122 does not create a new subclass 189 points test.

A processing priority change does not automatically increase or reduce the points required for the visa.

How Does MD122 Differ From the 189 Invitation Process?

MD122 and SkillSelect invitations operate at different stages.

You first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.

An invitation allows you to proceed with the subclass 189 visa application.

MD122 then affects the processing priority after the visa application is lodged.

MD122 does not create an invitation.

A higher processing priority also does not mean an applicant will receive an invitation sooner.

What Should 189 Visa Applicants Check Now?

Applicants should first confirm when and where they lodged their application.

They should then check whether their occupation or circumstances fit a Priority 1 category.

Existing applicants should also monitor their ImmiAccount for Department requests.

Applicants preparing to lodge should ensure their documents support their EOI and visa claims.

Processing timeframes may fluctuate during the transition to MD122.

The Department can also update published processing information as applications are reprioritised.

For this reason, applicants should use the latest Department of Home Affairs information when assessing their expected processing position.