One of the most precise questions raised by our readers this week targets the exact point causing confusion for many Subclass 189 visa applicants: will the new Ministerial Direction change the list and composition of occupations invited in future SkillSelect rounds? Answering this requires distinguishing between two entirely separate mechanisms within Australia’s skilled migration system. Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1791573), explains the legal framework, official invitation round data, and the practical impact of this Direction on your application step-by-step.
Short Answer
Ministerial Direction 122 does not, in itself, change the composition of occupations invited for the Subclass 189 visa; this document solely dictates the order in which lodged applications are processed. It is a matter of “processing priority” and does not alter visa eligibility criteria. However, the mix of invited occupations effectively changes from one round to the next, as the number of pending applications and identified skill needs can fluctuate; in the 4 June 2026 round, the minimum score ranged from 65 to 100, depending on the occupation.
What the law says
The legal basis for this Direction is section 499 of the Migration Act 1958. Direction 122 was issued by the Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958; this section empowers the Minister to issue written directions to decision-makers regarding the performance of their functions. The official title of the document reflects its nature: “Order for considering and disposing of visa applications for certain provisional and permanent Skilled Visas”—which concerns the order of processing and finalizing visa applications.
In terms of timing, this Direction was signed on 18 September 2026 and came into effect the following day, 19 September 2026, replacing all previous processing priorities under Direction 119 alongside its companion document, Direction 121. Its scope is specific: Direction 122 applies to applications for certain provisional and permanent skilled visas across ten specified subclasses and covers subclasses 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 491, and 494.
The key legal point is here: this is an administrative instruction regarding the “queue for processing,” not a regulation regarding the “right to be invited.” A Subclass 189 invitation is issued through a different channel—the SkillSelect system and points-based ranking—and has no connection to the processing queue order. The number of invitations and occupations in each round varies according to the needs of the Australian economy and the number of applications currently held by the Department. Therefore, the variability of the “composition of occupations” is an inherent feature of the invitation system and does not originate from Direction 122.
Two separate mechanisms: Invitation vs. Processing Priority
| Criterion | Invitation | Processing Priority (Direction 122) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Ranking of EOIs based on points and the “date of effect” for equal scores | Determining the precise sequence in which case officers handle lodged applications, rather than by date of lodgement alone |
| Timing | Before visa lodgement (EOI stage) | After visa lodgement |
| Impact on occupation mix | Direct; the number of invitations and occupations can vary each round | Indirect; affects decision speed and thus the composition of visas “granted” within a program year |
| Impact on eligibility | — | None; visa eligibility criteria remain unchanged |
What Direction 122 has actually changed
- Expansion of priority sectors: Under Direction 119, processing priority was primarily focused on healthcare, teaching, and construction; Direction 122 has expanded this scope to include agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and resources.
- Four-tier priority structure: Priority 1: Applications related to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and resources, or Australia’s public interest/defense; Priority 2: Applications where the applicant was onshore at the time of lodgement; Priority 3: Applications where the main applicant was offshore at the time of lodgement and the case was not combined with anyone else’s; Priority 4: All other applications covered by the Direction.
- Inclusion of older applications: This Direction applies not only to new applications but also to unfinalized applications lodged before 19 September 2026; meaning existing applications in the queue can be reprioritized within the new framework.
- Compelling circumstances exception: A new framework has been introduced to deviate from the standard processing order under “compelling circumstances” related to community safety or the continuity of essential religious, cultural, or social services in Australia, which did not exist under Direction 119.
Real factors changing the composition of invited occupations
- Migration program levels: The 2026–27 permanent migration program is set at 185,000 places; the skilled stream has 132,240 places, the family stream has 52,460, and Special Eligibility has 300 places. The allocation for Skilled Independent (189) has increased from 16,900 to 21,090 places.
- Annual occupation ceilings: An occupation ceiling means there may be an upper limit on the number of EOIs invited from a specific occupation group. Occupation ceilings do not apply to the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 state-nominated pathways.
- Priority for onshore applicants in planning: Across both skilled and family streams, the government prioritizes applicants currently in Australia, with 129,590 places allocated to migrants residing in Australia.
- Data from the latest official round: The 4 June 2026 round saw 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 visa, a tie-break date of 24 April 2026, and a minimum score range of 65 to 100; in that same round, 140 occupations were invited, and the most common minimum score was 80.
- Next round status: The official invitation rounds page shows the 4 June 2026 round as the current published round. Therefore, any judgment regarding the composition of occupations in that round must be made after official release.
What this means for you
According to Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent, there are two parts to this answer, and both are vital for your application strategy. First: if your concern is that Direction 122 might suddenly remove your occupation from the invitation list, this concern is unfounded; the document does not touch occupational lists or eligibility criteria and only sets the order for processing lodged files. Second: the mix of invited occupations does shift in practice from round to round, but this is driven by the number of pending applications and identified skill shortages—variables that can be monitored and planned for.
The practical application of this distinction is clear: in the pre-invitation stage, your focus should be on maximizing points, your EOI effect date, and selecting the correct occupation code; and once lodged, where your occupation sits within the priority tiers of Direction 122, and whether you were onshore or offshore at the time of lodgement, will have a real impact on decision speed. And if you receive an invitation, you have 60 days from the date of invitation to lodge your Subclass 189 visa application—a deadline that no Direction will extend. This two-layered approach is the difference between passive waiting and a calculated migration plan.
References
- Ministerial Direction 122 — Department of Home Affairs: View
- Ministerial Direction 119 — Department of Home Affairs: View
- Skilled visa processing priorities — Department of Home Affairs: View
- Permanent Migration Program planning levels — Department of Home Affairs: View
- After you submit your Expression of Interest — Department of Home Affairs: View
- SkillSelect Invitation Rounds (Official Page) — Department of Home Affairs: View
Your case, a clear roadmap
If you are waiting in the EOI queue and do not know where your points, occupation code, and timing place you for the next round—or if your application has been lodged and you want to know which priority tier of Direction 122 you fall into—a professional, personalized assessment is exactly what you need. Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1791573), assesses your situation based on official invitation round data, occupation ceilings, and the processing priority framework, placing your realistic options on the table without any exaggerated promises. Contact us to book your professional consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Direction 122 change the Subclass 189 occupation list?
No. Direction 122 is a processing priority document and does not change visa eligibility criteria; skilled migration occupation lists and legal visa requirements remain untouched, and this Direction only determines the order in which lodged applications are processed.
Then why does the composition of invited occupations differ in every round?
Because the number of invitations and occupations in each round varies depending on the number of pending applications and the skills the government has identified as in-demand. There may be an upper limit on the number of invitations for a specific occupation group.
What were the official results of the last Subclass 189 round?
The latest round with published official results is 4 June 2026: 10,000 invitations for the Subclass 189 visa, a tie-break date of 24 April 2026, and minimum scores ranging from 65 to 100 depending on the occupation; 140 occupations were invited in that round, and the most common minimum score was 80.
Which round do the last official published results refer to?
The official invitation rounds page shows the 4 June 2026 round as the current published round. For the latest results, you should refer to that same page.
What impact does Direction 122 have on my lodged 189 application?
Its impact is on decision speed. Priority 1 is given to occupations related to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and resources, or the public interest and defense; followed by main applicants who were in Australia at the time of lodgement. This Direction also applies to unfinalized applications lodged before 19 September 2026.
This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on October 28, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Mrs. Negin Safaee Registered Migration Agent 1791573
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.