Migrate2Australia has reviewed the latest skilled visa processing changes and state nomination updates affecting applicants seeking an Australian Skilled Visa. Ministerial Direction 119 is now effective, Tasmania has announced its upcoming 2026–27 nomination settings, and Queensland remains closed while awaiting its federal allocation.
This update is prepared by the experienced Registered Migration Agent, Eva Abdelmessiah, who has 20 years’ experience, has been registered since 2006, and holds MARN 0636719. Migrate2Australia provides obligation-free assistance to applicants assessing a Skilled visa to Australia.
1. Ministerial Direction 119 Is Now in Effect
Ministerial Direction 119 commenced on 25 July 2026 and replaced Ministerial Direction 105. The Direction instructs the Department of Home Affairs how to prioritise certain skilled visa nominations and applications for processing.
Migrate2Australia confirms that Direction 119 applies to relevant applications already on hand as well as new applications. This means some existing applications may be re-ordered in the processing queue according to the new priority framework.
The Direction applies across several skilled visa pathways, including:
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, as explained by Migrate2Australia’s Working & Skilled Visas service.
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, which Migrate2Australia assists eligible applicants to assess through SkillSelect.
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa, where Migrate2Australia helps applicants understand state nomination requirements.
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa, which Migrate2Australia assesses alongside regional and permanent residence strategies.
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa, subclass 494 and other covered skilled pathways.
2. The New Skilled Visa Priority Order
Under Direction 119, processing priority is determined primarily by:
- The applicant’s occupation or employment sector; and
- Whether the applicant was in Australia or outside Australia at the time of application.
Migrate2Australia summarises the current order as follows:
- Highest priority: Onshore applicants in occupations supporting Australian defence or law enforcement interests.
- Second priority: Offshore applicants in occupations supporting Australian defence or law enforcement interests.
- Third priority: Onshore applicants in construction, healthcare or teaching occupations.
- Fourth priority: Other onshore skilled applicants who do not fall within the higher-priority groups.
- Lowest general priority: Other offshore skilled applicants.
For Migrate2Australia clients, the critical point is that onshore status now has a substantial effect on processing order. An applicant’s location is assessed by reference to where the applicant was located when the relevant visa application was lodged.
An offshore healthcare, construction or teaching applicant does not automatically receive the same priority as an onshore applicant in those sectors. Migrate2Australia recommends checking the exact occupation classification, application history and visa subclass before relying on a priority assumption.
3. What Direction 119 Does Not Change
Direction 119 changes processing priority. It does not automatically change the basic eligibility requirements for an Australian Skilled Visa.
Migrate2Australia confirms that Direction 119 does not, by itself:
- Add an occupation to an occupation list;
- Reduce the points requirement;
- Replace a mandatory skills assessment;
- Remove English language requirements;
- Create a state or territory nomination;
- Guarantee that a visa will be granted; or
- Increase the number of available state nomination places.
A higher processing priority is not a visa approval. Applicants must still satisfy the applicable requirements for their visa subclass, including health, character, English, skills, employment, nomination and evidentiary criteria. Eva Abdelmessiah recommends treating priority as one part of a complete migration strategy, not as a substitute for eligibility.
4. Regional and Accredited Sponsor Status No Longer Creates Standalone Priority
One important change under Direction 119 is the removal of standalone processing priority based solely on a regional nomination or accredited sponsor status.
Migrate2Australia explains that regional employment and accredited sponsorship may remain relevant to eligibility or nomination, but those features do not independently place an application into a higher Direction 119 priority tier.
This distinction is important for applicants considering a subclass 491, subclass 494 or employer-sponsored pathway. A regional pathway may still be strategically appropriate because of the applicant’s occupation, employer, location or future permanent residence plans. However, Eva Abdelmessiah advises applicants not to assume that regional status alone will result in faster federal processing.
5. Tasmania 2026–27 Skilled Nomination Program
Tasmania’s 2026–27 program is scheduled to open on 17 August 2026. The announced allocation is:
- 1,250 places for subclass 190; and
- 800 places for subclass 491.
This represents 2,050 nomination places in total. Migrate2Australia advises applicants to review the requirements carefully because an allocation does not mean that every occupation, applicant or pathway will be accepted.
Tasmania is expected to issue invitations weekly from 20 August 2026. The Registration of Interest, or ROI, will be free. The nomination application fee will be $425.70, including GST, where a candidate is invited to proceed.
Tasmania has also introduced a new application portal at apply.migration.tas.gov.au. Applicants should use the current portal and review the latest information published by Migration Tasmania before submitting an ROI or nomination application. Migrate2Australia notes that the official Migration Tasmania news page should also be checked, including the program publication dated 5 August 2026, because state nomination settings can change after publication.
6. Tasmania Cancels the Overseas 491 Skilled Occupation Pathway
Tasmania has announced the cancellation of the offshore subclass 491 skilled occupation pathway in the context of the changed federal processing-priority framework under Direction 119. These state settings are subject to change and can be amended independently of federal processing directions.
Migrate2Australia notes that this is significant for offshore applicants who previously expected to pursue a Tasmanian 491 nomination without a Tasmanian employment offer. An occupation appearing on a relevant skilled occupation list does not necessarily mean that the applicant can use every state pathway. Migrate2Australia also recommends checking the official Migration Tasmania news page, including the notice dated 5 August 2026, because the published state program settings should be rechecked against the latest official update.
Overseas professionals in health and education may still have an option through Tasmania’s subclass 190 Overseas Applicant pathway, provided they have a Tasmanian job offer and satisfy the applicable state and federal requirements.
Applicants should review the current Tasmanian subclass 190 nomination pathways and the information for skilled workers living overseas. Eva Abdelmessiah can assist with assessing whether a Tasmanian employment offer supports a realistic nomination strategy.
7. Queensland 2026–27 Program Remains Closed
Queensland’s 2026–27 State Nominated Migration Program is currently closed. Migration Queensland is awaiting the Australian Government’s federal nomination allocation before confirming the opening date, places and detailed eligibility settings.
Migrate2Australia advises applicants not to treat previous Queensland criteria as confirmation of the 2026–27 program rules. Queensland may change its occupation focus, employment requirements, points thresholds, ROI process or invitation settings once the federal allocation is confirmed.
The Queensland nomination application fees applying from 1 July 2026 are:
- $573 for offshore applicants; and
- $630.30 for onshore applicants, including GST.
These fees relate to the Queensland nomination application and are separate from the Department of Home Affairs visa application charge. Migrate2Australia recommends checking the latest Queensland skilled migration program updates before paying any fee or preparing an application. Migrate2Australia notes that the figures and program status referred to in this article are current as of the date of publication and should be rechecked against the latest official Queensland notice before any action is taken.
8. What Applicants Should Do Now
Migrate2Australia recommends that applicants take the following steps before lodging an ROI, accepting a nomination invitation or changing visa strategy:
- Confirm your occupation code. Eva Abdelmessiah can assess whether your duties align with the nominated occupation, not merely the job title.
- Record your location at lodgement. Your onshore or offshore status may affect Direction 119 priority.
- Check your skills assessment and English test. Migrate2Australia recommends confirming validity dates before submitting an EOI or nomination application.
- Review state-specific requirements. Tasmania and Queensland apply different criteria, fees and selection methods.
- Prepare employment evidence. A genuine job offer may be essential for an overseas Tasmanian subclass 190 pathway.
- Do not rely on processing priority alone. Eva Abdelmessiah stresses that priority does not remove the requirement to satisfy all visa criteria.
- Consider alternative pathways. Depending on your circumstances, Migrate2Australia may assess subclass 189, 190, 491, 482, 494 or employer-sponsored options.
Although this update concerns Working & Skilled Visas, some clients also compare a skilled pathway with a Partner visa Australia option when planning a family relocation. Migrate2Australia can assess these pathways separately and explain which requirements apply to each category.
9. How Migrate2Australia Can Assist
Migrate2Australia provides personalised assistance with occupation assessment, points strategy, SkillSelect planning, state nomination, employer-sponsored visas and document preparation.
Eva Abdelmessiah has 20 years’ experience, has been registered since 2006, and holds MARN 0636719. Her role is to provide clear, professional guidance based on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements in force at the time of assessment.
Book Consultation: Book a consultation with Migrate2Australia to discuss your Australian Skilled Visa, Skilled visa to Australia or state nomination options. Initial discussions can help identify the relevant pathway and the evidence required before you proceed.
Eva Abdelmessiah, Registered Migration Agent MARN 0636719
Book a Consultation with Migrate2Australia
Privacy notice: Migrate2Australia collects personal information (including contact details, identity documents and visa-related information) solely to provide migration assistance and legal services. This information is used only for the purpose for which it was provided, stored securely, and is not disclosed to third parties except as required by law or with your consent. For full details, see Migrate2Australia's Privacy Policy. To the extent applicable, privacy handling will also reflect relevant international privacy obligations. This article was prepared with the assistance of AI, and the official sources referred to in the article are disclosed in the links above.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Migration laws change frequently, and some reforms discussed are proposed or evolving. Visa outcomes remain at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs.
