Who Goes First? Australia's New Skilled Visa Order Made Simple

News · 2026-09-21 · 4 min read

Do you want to work in Australia from Indonesia? Then this update is for you. On 19 September 2026, Australia changed the order it uses to decide skilled visa applications. This new order can change how long you wait.

The Department of Home Affairs made two new Ministerial Directions. Their names are MD 121 and MD 122. They take the place of MD 119, the old priority system. Together, they cover almost every big skilled visa pathway.

A quick idea of how it works

Home Affairs ranks each application by government priority. A high place can mean a fast decision. A low place can mean a long wait.

Temporary work visas and MD 121

MD 121 sets the order for Temporary Skilled Visas. It is for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. It also covers the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, which was the older visa and is now retired. Applications are ranked like this:

Priority sector jobs come first. These are Healthcare, Construction, Agriculture, Teaching, Fishing, Aquaculture and Resources. Jobs linked to law enforcement or defence are also in this group.
Next are people in the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.
After that come people who were inside Australia on the day they lodged.
Then come people who applied alone, with no partner or family in the same application, and who lodged outside Australia.
All other applicants are last.

In short, if your job is not in a priority industry, and your family applied together with you from overseas, you will probably wait the longest.

Permanent and provisional visas under MD 122

MD 122 is for Provisional and Permanent Skilled Visas, a much longer list. It includes the Skilled Independent (189) visa and the Skilled Nominated (190) visa. It also covers the Employer Nomination Scheme (186), regional provisional visas (491, 494, 489) and permanent visas such as the 191 and the 887.

The order here is shorter:

Applications in priority sectors or the national interest, using the same industry list.
People who were inside Australia when they lodged.
People who applied alone from another country.
Every other application.

What changes for you in real life

Is your job in a priority sector? Good news. Your application should move faster now than under MD 119.
Are you lodging from inside Australia? You are now ahead of most applicants who lodge offshore.
Is it a combined application from overseas? This group is now at the bottom. Plan for a longer wait.

Older rules that still apply

Two older directions still work alongside MD 121/122:

MD 114 is for the Business Innovation and Investment (188) visa and the Business Talent (132) visa. Both are now closed.
MD 120 started on 25 July 2026. It is for Class BX (858) visas. This includes the National Innovation visa, plus the Distinguished Talent and Global Talent programs, which are closed.

Processing times are only a guide

Home Affairs' processing time tool gives a guide only, not a promise. The numbers show how long recent finished applications took. It does not check your own case, so use it as a rough idea only.

Send a complete application from day one

Your priority now depends a lot on how you lodge and where you are when you lodge. This makes a correct and complete application very important. A mistake or a missing document can take you out of the fast track. Not sure where you will sit in the new order? Get professional advice before you submit.

A tip for Indonesian applicants: translate Indonesian documents into English if the visa rules ask for it, and request your SKCK from the Indonesian National Police early if a police certificate is needed.

Looking for jobs in Australia for Indonesians? Check if your job is in a priority sector, prepare your papers carefully and keep your timeline realistic.

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