The Australian Government Just Clarified Your Family Visa Timeline: Where Your Relationship Sits
Ministerial Direction 117 took effect on 25 July 2026, replacing the previous Ministerial Direction 102. This new Direction, along with Ministerial Direction 103, formalises the processing priority for family visa streams in Australia.
The good news: If you’re a partner or dependent child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you remain in the high-priority tier. The government has formally committed to processing immediate family relationships ahead of all other family visa categories.
The clarity: The government has also published exactly where your visa sits if you’re a parent, aged parent, or other family member. No more guessing. You now know your tier and, for many visas, your queue release date.
Why This Matters: Family Reunion Anxiety Gets a Clear Answer
Waiting for a family visa is emotionally charged. You’re separated from your partner, your children, or your parents. You’ve submitted your application and then… uncertainty sets in. You don’t know if it’s moving, how long it will actually take, or when you’ll finally be reunited.
Ministerial Direction 117 and 103 remove that ambiguity.
The government has published a six-tier priority system. Your family relationship determines your tier. Knowing your tier means knowing your realistic timeline and your place in the queue.
For partners and children: You’re in Tier 2. The government prioritises you. Don’t postpone your reunion based on processing anxiety; your application is being actively processed.
For parents and aged parents: You’re in Tiers 4–6, depending on whether you’re a contributory parent or standard parent. The government has published queue release dates. You’re not forgotten; you’re queued and scheduled.
The Australian government also simultaneously applied priority updates for skilled visas. See the update here.
The Six-Tier Family Visa Processing Priority System
Ministerial Direction 117 and 103 establish a formal six-tier priority structure for all family visa applications. Your family relationship to the sponsor (the Australian citizen or PR) determines your tier.
Priority Tier Comparison Table
| Tier | Family Relationship | Processing Sequence | Subject to Queue Release Date | Processing Speed | Timeline Reality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ministerial Intervention (Compassionate/Compelling) | Processed FIRST | No | ⚡ Fastest | Immediate (varies by circumstances) |
| 2 | Partner or Dependent Child | Processed SECOND | No | ⚡ Fast | Weeks to Months |
| 3 | Orphan Relative | Processed THIRD | No | ⚡ Moderate | Months to 1–2 Years |
| 4 | Contributory Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FOURTH | YES | Standard | 2–5+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 5 | Standard Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FIFTH | YES | Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 5 | Standard Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FIFTH | YES | Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 6 | Carer, Remaining Relative, Aged Dependant | Processed LAST | YES | 🐌 Very Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| Tier | Family Relationship | Processing Sequence | Subject to Queue Release Date | Processing Speed | Timeline Reality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ministerial Intervention (Compassionate/Compelling) | Processed FIRST | No | ⚡ Fastest | Immediate (varies by circumstances) |
| 2 | Partner or Dependent Child | Processed SECOND | No | ⚡ Fast | Weeks to Months |
| 3 | Orphan Relative | Processed THIRD | No | ⚡ Moderate | Months to 1–2 Years |
| 4 | Contributory Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FOURTH | YES | Standard | 2–5+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 5 | Standard Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FIFTH | YES | Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 5 | Standard Parent/Aged Parent | Processed FIFTH | YES | Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
| 6 | Carer, Remaining Relative, Aged Dependant | Processed LAST | YES | 🐌 Very Slow | 5–10+ Years (includes queue wait) |
TIER 1 — HIGHEST PRIORITY: Ministerial Intervention Cases (Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances)
This applies to:
- A family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Your application involves compassionate and compelling circumstances that warrant priority processing
What “compassionate and compelling circumstances” means:
- Terminal illness or imminent death of the sponsor or applicant
- Significant family emergency requiring urgent reunion
- Other humanitarian grounds that the Minister considers compelling
What this means for you: If your case is approved for ministerial intervention, your application is processed first. This is the highest priority category. The Department will contact you if your application is considered for this tier.
Timeline reality: If your case qualifies and the Minister intervenes, you move to the front of the entire queue. Processing accelerates significantly.
Important: You cannot simply request ministerial intervention. The Department or Minister decides whether your case warrants this priority. Applications are assessed on their individual circumstances.
See: A Ministerial Intervention Win That No One Expected
TIER 2 — HIGH PRIORITY: Partner or Dependent Child
This applies to:
- A partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, seeking a Partner visa (subclasses 100, 300, 309, 801, 820), OR
- A dependent child of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, seeking a Child visa (subclasses 101, 102, 445, 802)
This includes:
- Spouses and de facto partners
- Same-sex and opposite-sex partners
- Children who are dependants of the visa sponsor
What this means for you: The government has formally designated immediate family relationships as high priority. Your application is processed ahead of all other family visa categories except those with ministerial intervention.
This is a public commitment that partners and children matter to Australia’s migration policy. You’re not a secondary consideration; you’re in the high-priority tier.
Timeline reality: While processing times still vary by individual case complexity, Partner and Child visas are generally processed faster than other family visa categories. Check the Department’s Processing Times Guide for specific estimates.
Important: If you’re applying as a dependent child but your spouse/partner is applying separately (not as a combined application), you may not qualify for Tier 2. Combined applications receive the same tier as the primary applicant.
Your application is moving now. Don’t miss requests for documents. Book an audit consultation to ensure nothing delays your reunion.
TIER 3 — MODERATE PRIORITY: Orphan Relative
This applies to:
- A person under 18 years old whose parents are both deceased or have abandoned them
- You are applying for an Orphan Relative visa (Subclass 117 or 837) with an Australian citizen or permanent resident as your sponsor
What this means for you: Orphan visa applicants are prioritised ahead of parent, aged parent, and other family members. The government recognises the vulnerability of orphaned children requiring family sponsorship.
Timeline reality: Your application is processed faster than parent and aged parent visas, but slower than Partner and Child visas.
TIER 4 — MODERATE-LOW PRIORITY: Contributory Parent or Contributory Aged Parent
This applies to:
- A parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, seeking a Contributory Parent visa (Subclass 143 or 173), OR
- An aged parent seeking a Contributory Aged Parent visa (Subclass 864 or 884)
“Contributory” means you pay an additional financial contribution to the Australian Government as part of your visa requirement.
What this means for you: Your application is prioritised ahead of standard Parent and Aged Parent visas because you’re contributing financially to Australia. However, you’re behind Partners, Children, and Orphan relatives.
Timeline reality: Contributory Parent visas do move, but on a queued basis. The Department publishes queue release dates. Processing doesn’t begin until your “queue release date” is reached.
Important: Don’t confuse application lodgement with processing commencement. You can lodge your application anytime, but the Department won’t begin processing until your queue release date. Check the Department’s website for your specific queue release date.
TIER 5 — LOW PRIORITY: Standard Parent or Aged Parent
This applies to:
- A parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, seeking a Parent visa (Subclass 103), OR
- An aged parent seeking an Aged Parent visa (Subclass 804)
You are not a contributory applicant (you’re not paying the additional financial contribution).
What this means for you: Your application is in a queue with a published release date, similar to contributory parents, but with higher demand and longer wait times. The government processes you, but after all higher-priority tiers.
Timeline reality: Standard Parent and Aged Parent visa applications can take many years. Processing doesn’t begin until your queue release date. After release, processing itself takes significant time.
Important: Queue release dates are published on the Department’s website for specific visa years. Check the “Parent Visas – Queue Release Dates” page on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au to find your specific date.
Don’t let years of waiting leave you unprepared. Book a consultation to plan financially and emotionally for your timeline.
TIER 6 — LOWEST PRIORITY: Other Family Members (Carer, Remaining Relative, Aged Dependant Relative)
This applies to:
- A Carer of an Australian citizen or permanent resident (Subclass 116 or 836), OR
- A Remaining Relative (Subclass 115 or 835), OR
- An Aged Dependant Relative (Subclass 114 or 838)
What this means for you: Your application is in the lowest processing priority tier. You are processed after all other family relationships, on a queued basis with published release dates.
Timeline reality: These visa categories have the longest processing times. Be prepared for extended waits. Processing doesn’t begin until your queue release date is reached, and after release, processing can still take years.
Important: Check the Department’s website for your specific queue release date. These visas are subject to capping and queueing, meaning the number of visas available each year is limited, and your place in the queue determines when you’re processed.
Important: Understanding Queue Release Dates
If your visa is subject to queue release dates (Tiers 4–6), it’s essential to understand what this means:
Queue release dates are not processing completion dates. They are the dates when the Department begins processing your application.
Timeline example:
- Your Contributory Parent visa is lodged in 2024
- Your queue release date is published as January 2027
- The Department begins assessing your application in January 2027
- Processing and decision still take many months after that date
Where to find your queue release date: Visit the Department of Home Affairs website:
These pages publish queue release dates for each visa year. Check them regularly as dates can be updated.
Ministerial Direction 117 Replaces Previous Ministerial Direction 102
Ministerial Direction 117 replaces Ministerial Direction 102 (dated 9 February 2023). The family visa processing priorities remain largely the same; immediate family (partners and children) remain high priority, and other family members continue to be queued by relationship tier.
What changed:
- Direction 102 is now superseded by Direction 117
- The priority tier structure remains consistent
- Queue release dates and processing timelines continue to be managed by the Department
What stayed the same:
- Partners and children remain in Tier 2 (high priority)
- Parent and aged parent visas remain subject to queue release dates
- The overall tiered system remains in place
What This Means to You: Indah’s Expert Perspective
Indah Melindasari, MARN 0961448, Registered Migration Agent, ONEderland Consulting
“Ministerial Directions 117 and 103 do two powerful things: they confirm that immediate family matters to Australia, and they remove ambiguity about other family relationships.
For partners and dependent children: Your tier hasn’t changed. You remain high priority. The government processes you ahead of all other family relationships. Don’t postpone your reunion based on processing anxiety; your application is actively moving. Yes, processing takes time, and complexity matters, but you’re not waiting indefinitely in an unknown queue.
For parents and aged parents: This Direction is your reality check. Your visa is queued with a published release date. You’re not forgotten, but you are waiting. Your role now is to find that queue release date, understand when processing begins, and plan accordingly. Some applicants spend years in queue before processing begins—that’s the honest reality. Use that information to make decisions about your migration timeline.
What I tell all family visa applicants: you now have clarity. Clarity is power. Use it. If you’re a partner or child, know your tier is high; plan your reunion. If you’re a parent or aged parent, know your queue release date, plan your life around processing realities, not fantasies.
The worst decisions come from not understanding where you stand. This Direction gives you exactly that: where you stand.”
Discuss your specific situation and find out the best strategy to take with Indah Melindasari. Schedule your appointment today.
Important Family Visa Visas Covered by MD 117 and 103
The following family visas are subject to Ministerial Directions 117 and 103:
| Visa Category | Visa Subclass | Processing Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Partner (Permanent) | 801, 100 | Tier 2 |
| Partner (Temporary) | 820, 309 | Tier 2 |
| Prospective Marriage | 300 | Tier 2 |
| Child | 802, 101 | Tier 2 |
| Adoption | 102 | Tier 2 |
| Dependent Child (Provisional) | 445 | Tier 2 |
| Orphan Relative | 837 (Perm) / 117 (Temp) | Tier 3 |
| Contributory Parent | 143 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Parent (Temporary) | 173 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Aged Parent | 864 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | 884 | Tier 4 |
| Parent | 103 | Tier 5 |
| Aged Parent | 804 | Tier 5 |
| Carer | 116 (Temp) / 836 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
| Remaining Relative | 115 (Temp) / 835 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
| Aged Dependant Relative | 114 (Temp) / 838 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
| Visa Category | Visa Subclass | Processing Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Partner (Permanent) | 801, 100 | Tier 2 |
| Partner (Temporary) | 820, 309 | Tier 2 |
| Prospective Marriage | 300 | Tier 2 |
| Child | 802, 101 | Tier 2 |
| Adoption | 102 | Tier 2 |
| Dependent Child (Provisional) | 445 | Tier 2 |
| Orphan Relative | 837 (Perm) / 117 (Temp) | Tier 3 |
| Contributory Parent | 143 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Parent (Temporary) | 173 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Aged Parent | 864 | Tier 4 |
| Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | 884 | Tier 4 |
| Parent | 103 | Tier 5 |
| Aged Parent | 804 | Tier 5 |
| Carer | 116 (Temp) / 836 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
| Remaining Relative | 115 (Temp) / 835 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
| Aged Dependant Relative | 114 (Temp) / 838 (Perm) | Tier 6 |
What You Should Do Now
If You’re a Partner or Dependent Child (Tier 2)
- Confirm your visa subclass. Verify your application is for a Partner or Child visa (subclasses listed in the table above).
- Check your application status. Use ImmiAccount to monitor progress. You’re in the high-priority tier.
- Prepare additional documents promptly. If the Department requests further information, respond quickly. Being in a high-priority tier means faster processing when your documentation is complete.
- Don’t postpone your plans. Your relationship is designated as high priority. The government processes you ahead of other family members. Plan your reunion accordingly.
- Check processing times. Visit the Department’s Processing Times Guide for Partner and Child visas. These give realistic estimates for applicants in your tier.
Confirm your pathway clarity with our expert Migration teams. Book a 60-minute consultation to verify your processing timeline.
If You’re an Orphan Relative (Tier 3)
- Confirm your application is for an Orphan Relative visa. Subclasses 117 (Temporary) or 837 (Permanent).
- Provide supporting documentation of circumstances. Proof that both parents are deceased or have abandoned the applicant is essential.
- Monitor your application. You’re ahead of parent and aged parent applicants, but behind Partners and Children. Expect moderate processing timeline.
- Provide timely responses. If the Department requests information, respond quickly to avoid delays.
If You’re a Contributory Parent or Aged Parent (Tier 4)
- Find your queue release date. Visit the Department’s “Parent Visas – Queue Release Dates” page. Find your visa year and queue release date.
- Don’t mistake lodgement for processing start. You can lodge your application anytime, but processing doesn’t begin until your queue release date.
- Plan financially. Contributory Parent visas require significant financial contribution. Ensure your financial capacity matches your visa tier timeline.
- Prepare your documents now. Have everything ready before your queue release date arrives, so you’re not delayed when processing begins.
- Plan for a multi-year wait. Be realistic about timelines. Some applicants wait years between lodgement and queue release, then additional years for processing.
Prepare for financial planning to avoid any unnecessary losses. Book a consultation to understand contribution requirements and realistic timeline.
If You’re a Standard Parent or Aged Parent (Tier 5)
- Find your queue release date. Visit the Department’s “Parent Visas – Queue Release Dates” page.
- Understand your timeline is long. Standard Parent and Aged Parent visas have the longest processing times among family visas. Be prepared for extended waits.
- Prepare your documents. Have everything ready well before your queue release date, so processing isn’t delayed when it begins.
- Monitor for updates. Queue release dates can change. Check the Department’s website periodically for updates to your visa year.
- Consider whether timing aligns. If you need rapid processing, this visa may not be suitable. Explore whether Contributory Parent status is an option (it’s faster).
- Plan for life during the wait. Many applicants spend years in queue before processing begins. Make decisions about your life with this reality in mind, don’t put life on hold indefinitely.
Plan realistically for a multi-year wait. Book a consultation to discuss your queue release date and timeline.
If You’re a Carer, Remaining Relative, or Aged Dependant Relative (Tier 6)
- Understand your lowest-priority status. Your visa category is processed last. Processing times are very long.
- Find your queue release date. Visit the Department’s “Other Family Visas – Queue Release Dates” page.
- Be realistic about timelines. These visas can take many years from lodgement to final decision. Plan accordingly.
- Have complete documentation ready. Any missing documents will further delay processing after your queue release date arrives.
- Consider if this is the right pathway. If timing is critical for your family circumstances, this visa may not be suitable. Explore alternative pathways or sponsorship options.
Explore alternative pathways with our experienced Migration Agents. Book a consultation to discuss whether this pathway suits your timeline or if alternatives exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do MD 117 and 103 take effect?
MD 117 took effect on 25 July 2026, replacing MD 102. MD 103 continues to apply. Both are now in effect.
What direction do they replace?
MD 117 replaces Ministerial Direction 102 (dated 9 February 2023). MD 103 remains unchanged.
Do these directions change my visa eligibility?
No. They do not change who is eligible for family visas or which relationship categories are available. They only change the order in which applications are processed.
I'm a Partner. Should I postpone my visa application?
No. Partners remain in Tier 2 (high priority). The government processes you ahead of all other family relationships except ministerial intervention cases. Don't postpone your reunion based on processing anxiety.
I'm a parent. How long will my visa take?
That depends on your queue release date and processing complexity. Standard Parent and Aged Parent visas are subject to queue release dates, and processing after release takes significant time. Check the Department's queue release date page for your visa year, then check processing time estimates for your visa subclass.
What's the difference between a queue release date and a processing decision date?
Queue release date = when the Department begins processing your application. Processing decision date = when the Department makes a final decision (approval or refusal). These are different. Your queue release date may be 2027, but the decision could come in 2028 or later.
Can I request priority processing outside these tiers?
For family visas involving compassionate and compelling circumstances, the Department may grant priority processing (Tier 1). However, this is not automatic—the Department assesses each case individually.
My Partner visa is pending. Is it still moving?
Use ImmiAccount to check your application status. Partner visas are in Tier 2 (high priority), so processing should be moving, but timelines still vary by case complexity. Check the Processing Times Guide for Partner visas to understand realistic timelines for your visa subclass.
What if MD 117 or 103 changes again?
The Department publishes updates on changes to visa processing. Monitor the official website and sign up for updates to stay informed.
I'm applying as a dependent child but my parent is applying separately. What tier am I in?
If you're applying separately from your primary applicant parent (not as a combined application), you may not qualify for Tier 2 priority. Contact the Department to confirm your processing tier, or seek advice from a migration agent.
Unsure about your family relationship tier or queue release date? Clarify your situation with us. Book a 60-minute consultation (starts from $150 AUD) covering your visa subclass, tier, queue status, and realistic timeline.
What This Means: Your Family Reunion Timeline Just Got Clearer
Ministerial Directions 117 and 103 are a public commitment from the Australian Government to process your family visa in a fair, transparent order based on your family relationship.
If you’re a partner or dependent child: You’re in Tier 2. The government prioritises you. Your application is actively moving. Don’t postpone your reunion based on processing anxiety; have clarity and plan accordingly.
If you’re a parent or aged parent: Your application is queued with a published release date. You’re not forgotten; you’re scheduled. Find your queue release date, understand when processing begins, and make life decisions with realistic timelines in mind.
If you’re in another family relationship: You have a tier, a queue, and, for most visas, a published queue release date. You now know exactly where you stand.
The uncertainty ends here. You now know your place in the family visa processing queue.
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