One of the most frequent questions from our viewers is whether the title “Engineer” automatically places an application at the front of the processing queue. Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1791573), explains exactly how the federal prioritization framework works, which engineering disciplines are truly eligible for top priority, and why the nominated occupation—not the academic title—is the deciding factor. The following is a comprehensive and reliable reference for applicants and employers.
Short Answer
No; “Engineering” as a discipline is not in the top priority category. Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 (effective from 19 September 2026) grant priority to specific sectors: Construction, Health, Education, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Resources, and Australia’s security and defense interests. Consequently, Civil Engineering Professionals (2332) and, provided they meet the definition of the resources sector, Mining Engineers (2336) are included. Electrical and Mechanical engineering are not included in the construction definition, but may qualify if they meet the definition of another priority area. Priority only dictates the order of processing, not eligibility.
What the law says
The legal foundation for this prioritization is section 499 of the Migration Act 1958. Ministerial Direction 122 derives its authority from section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, which allows the Minister to issue written directions to decision-makers regarding how they should exercise their powers or perform their functions. Direction 122 was signed on 18 September 2026 by the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Tony Burke, and came into effect the following day, 19 September 2026, establishing the processing order for specified skilled visa applications.
There are two separate directions: Direction 121 focuses on temporary skilled visas (subclass 482) and Direction 122 covers specified permanent and temporary skilled visas, including 186, 189, 190, 191, 491, and 494. According to the Department of Home Affairs, applications for certain skilled visas are processed based on government policy priorities set out in Direction 121 for temporary skilled visas and Direction 122 for state-nominated and permanent visas, both effective from 19 September 2026. These two directions collectively replace all previous processing priorities under Direction 119.
The key legal point is that priority is a “queue,” not a “condition.” The direction itself explicitly states that it does not change the composition of Australia’s skilled occupation lists, and applicants must still meet the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994 before a visa is granted; processing priority is not synonymous with visa eligibility. Furthermore, this direction does not alter occupation lists or visa requirements. Similarly, these directions determine the order of processing visa applications, not the order in which invitations are issued.
Which engineering disciplines receive top priority?
Applications where the primary applicant is in an occupation within the Construction, Health, Education, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Resources, or security or defense sectors are placed in the first queue—provided the occupation aligns with the definition in the direction itself. The deciding factor is the occupation relevant to the application and its compliance with the direction’s definitions, not merely the educational title or the employer’s industry. Skills assessment requirements depend on the relevant visa. The occupation groups published for the Construction and Resources sectors are as follows:
| Priority Sector | Engineering and technical occupation groups and codes |
|---|---|
| Construction | Major Subgroup 33 (Construction Trades Workers), Major Subgroup 82 (Construction and Mining Labourers), Group 1331 (Construction Managers), Group 1332 (Engineering Managers), Group 2321 (Architects and Landscape Architects), Group 2332 (Civil Engineering Professionals), Group 3121, Group 3122 (Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians), Group 3126 (Safety Inspectors), Group 3129, Group 3222, Group 3223, Group 7111, Group 7121, Group 7212, and codes 341111 (Electrician General) and 341112 (Electrician Special Class) |
| Resources | Group 2336 (Mining Engineers) and Group 2344 (Geologists and etc.); The listed groups include Mining Engineers, Geologists and Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers plus several specified fitter and machinist occupations. |
Three precise points every engineering applicant should know:
- Civil and Geotechnical Engineering are in group 2332 (Civil Engineering Professionals) and Mining and Petroleum Engineering are in group 2336; both groups are included in the definitions of the Construction and Resources sectors. For the Resources sector, the nominated position must also align with the direction’s definition.
- Electrical Engineering (233311) and Mechanical Engineering (233512) are not included among the groups defined for the Construction sector and therefore do not receive top priority simply because they are engineers. In contrast, a licensed Electrician has a different status: codes 341111 and 341112 (Electrician) are explicitly listed in the Construction sector. So, “anything electrical” is not outside the priority; the distinction between an engineering occupation and a technical/trade occupation is decisive.
- In the Resources sector, the nature of the job position also matters. The nominated position must directly support the exploration, extraction, and production of minerals, oil, gas, or coal—which also encompasses mine closure, decommissioning, and environmental rehabilitation activities. Therefore, in this category, the ANZSCO code alone is not sufficient, and the actual job description is also assessed.
Regarding the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector, one must also be precise: this sector is defined based on the nominated position’s activity in primary production or support for productivity; priority only applies when the occupation aligns with the direction’s definition. Any claim regarding the existence of a title like “Fisheries Engineer” on the priority list must be verified directly against the text of the direction.
Also, note that this framework is not limited to new applications and also applies to applicable applications lodged before 19 September 2026 that have not yet been finalized; the directions also contain exceptions.
Important distinction: Federal priority vs. Victoria’s priority industries
Many inquiries often confuse two different frameworks. Directions 121 and 122 relate to the order of application processing by the Department of Home Affairs; however, if your goal is Victorian state nomination for visas 190 and 491, the priority list is completely separate and more restricted:
- For 2026–27, Victoria’s priority industries are Health, Social Assistance, Education (teachers and early childhood), and Construction (professionals and technical trades). Mining, petroleum, and fisheries are not on this list.
- Each ROI is reviewed through two pathways: Most Competitive (highest VPT points among all eligible occupations) and Priority Industry pathway (highest VPT points within each priority industry).
- Fees: $60 to lodge an ROI and $180 for a nomination application if invited and applied; if the applicant is in Australia at the time of payment, it is $66 and $198 respectively, including GST. ROIs from previous years do not roll over and a new ROI must be lodged.
- For 2026–27, Victoria has been allocated 900 nomination places for the 190 visa, and 491 places are not yet finalized, with Victoria stating that ROIs for 491 nominations are currently not being accepted. (Live in Melbourne page update: 26 October 2026)
What this means for you
If you are an engineer, the practical message is clear: instead of asking “is engineering a priority?”, you should ask “what is my nominated ANZSCO code and which sector definition does it fall under?” As Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent, explains, decision-making in these cases has three layers: First, choosing the correct occupation and, if necessary for the relevant visa, obtaining a positive skills assessment; second, ensuring the occupation is on the applicable occupation list and all criteria of the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 are met; and third, understanding that priority only improves your place in the queue. Processing priority only affects the order of assessment, does not lower the threshold for approval, and does not guarantee a specific processing time; every applicant must still satisfy all requirements.
The good news for Civil, Geotechnical, Mining, and Petroleum engineers, as well as Engineering Managers and licensed Electricians, is that if they align with the definitions and other conditions of the relevant direction, the application can be placed in the highest tier of the queue. For Electrical, Mechanical, and other engineering disciplines, not being in the top priority does not mean the path is closed; the position’s alignment with all relevant definitions and visa conditions must be checked. With a precise and documented roadmap, the strongest version of an application can be built.
Resources
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled visa processing priorities: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs — Ministerial Direction 122: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Department of Home Affairs — Ministerial Direction 121: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Live in Melbourne — Victorian Points Test: liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au
- Live in Melbourne — Update: Victoria’s skilled visa nomination program 2026–27: liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au
- Live in Melbourne — 2026–27 Skilled visa nomination program: liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au
Which queue is your engineering application in?
If you are an engineer and are unsure which sector definition your ANZSCO code falls under, a consultation session can clarify exactly: the correct nominated occupation, the corresponding skills assessment, the applicable occupation list, and whether the federal pathway or state nomination makes more sense for your circumstances. Negin Safaee, Registered Migration Agent (MARA 1791573), will review your application document by document so you can make a decision based on a clear, realistic roadmap—not speculation. Book your exclusive case review today.
Frequently asked questions
Are Electrical and Mechanical Engineering top priority under Directions 121 and 122?
Not solely because of the engineering title. The defined groups for Construction include Engineering Managers (1332) and Civil Engineering Professionals (2332), but Electrical (233311) and Mechanical (233512) engineering are not in that definition. However, if the position aligns with the definition of another priority area, such as defense interests, it might have top priority. Lack of top priority does not mean one is ineligible.
Is an Electrician excluded from priority like an Electrical Engineer?
No. Codes 341111 (Electrician General) and 341112 (Electrician Special Class) are included in the Construction sector’s occupation groups. Therefore, the distinction between an engineering occupation and a technical/trade occupation is decisive, and one cannot say ‘every electrical job is outside of priority’.
Is it enough for my occupation code to be in the Resources sector groups?
In the Resources sector, the nominated position must align with the direction’s definition: directly supporting the exploration, extraction, and production of minerals, oil, gas, or coal; activities such as mine closure, decommissioning, and rehabilitation are also included in the definition. Therefore, the nature of the position also matters.
What determines top priority: educational qualification or nominated occupation?
The occupation relevant to the application and its compliance with the direction’s definitions, not merely the educational qualification. In some areas, including resources, the nature of the nominated position also matters. Skills assessment requirements depend on the relevant visa.
Does being in the top priority mean my visa will be approved?
No. The directions only determine the order of processing applications; they do not change occupation lists or visa requirements, and they do not guarantee a specific processing time. The occupation must be on the applicable occupation list and all criteria of the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 must be met.
Is Mining Engineering a priority for Victorian nomination?
Victoria’s priority industries for 2026–27 are Health, Social Assistance, Education, and Construction; mining, oil, and fisheries are not on that list. Federal priority (Directions 121 and 122) and state priority are two separate frameworks and should not be confused.
Does this prioritization affect previously lodged applications?
Yes. This framework is not limited to new applications and also applies to applicable applications lodged before 19 September 2026 that have not yet been finalized; the directions have exceptions in their scope of application.
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.