Priority Processing

Updated Priority Processing effective from 23 September 2009

The Minister has set priority processing arrangements which apply to the following visas from 23 September 2009:

- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
- General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas except for:
• Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476
• Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883
• Skilled – Regional Subclass 887

Under the Ministerial Direction, the following processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) apply:

1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and RSMS.
2. Applications from people who are nominated by State/Territory Government and whose
nominated occupation is listed on the Critical Skills List (CSL).
3. Applications from people who are sponsored by family and whose nominated occupation
is on the CSL.
4. Applications from people who are neither nominated nor sponsored but whose
nominated occupation is listed on the CSL.
5. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory Government whose
nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL.
6. (i) Applications from people whose occupations are listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) and
(ii) Applications from people who are sponsored by family and whose nominated
occupation is not listed on the CSL.
7. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

If you have applied for an onshore or offshore GSM visa and your nominated occupation is on the CSL, it is estimated that your application will be finalised within twelve months from your lodgement date.