Australian Skilled Visa Processing Priority Update – 15 December 2023
Introduction and implementation of Ministerial Direction no. 105 took place on 15 December 2023, in regards to the Australian skilled visa processing priority for businesses in regional areas.
It supports the outcome of the Migration Strategy announced earlier on 11 December 2023.
It is an additional priority processing while previously the Department of Home Affairs has prioritised the skilled visa applications on several sectors, including healthcare and education.
Australian Skilled Visa Processing Priority for Regional Areas
The recently issued Ministerial Direction acknowledges the necessity of speeding up the skilled visa application process for regional Australian businesses that are hiring skilled labour. It gives employer-sponsored visa applications for workers in regional Australia top priority, and it is applicable for the following visa subclasses:
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482),
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186); and
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
These will Remain and Remove on Priority List
- Remaining on Australian skilled visa priority processing:
- Applications for occupations in the healthcare and education sectors will continue to be given priority under the new Ministerial Direction. The processing times for these occupations will be slightly impacted by this update. You can find the prioritised occupation list here.
- Sponsors with accredited status will still be given their priority when it comes to their applications. This will back up the government’s announcement of an updated accredited sponsorship programme that will include venture capital-funded startups.
- Removed from Australian skilled visa priority processing:
- Priority processing to offshore permanent visa applications over onshore applications. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing pathways to permanent residence while also streamlining processes.
- Priority processing in each category for holders of eligible passports (Hong Kong nationals and British Nationals Overseas) has also been removed to provide additional efficiencies.
Interested in living and working in a Regional Area? Find the Reason to Live and Work in Australian Regional Area.
What Does It Mean to You?
Being prioritised must lift the burden in your chest! It is time to take a long breath as the Government is prioritising your application now.
It is best to check your application regularly. Surely, you must work together with the Government with priority processing by lodging complete applications and providing all supporting documents.
If you need assistance in maintaining or lodging your application, just click below to begin the process!
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