IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government has updated the priority categories for processing permanent, skilled and temporary work visas. Applications will be processed in the Employer Sponsored Temporary Work and Permanent or Provisional Skilled Migration categories as follows.

Employer Sponsored Temporary Work – Subclass 482

  • Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List (PMSOL) occupations; Global Talent Employer Sponsored Agreement; Global Talent Program; and Agricultural Sector occupations.
  • Other critical sectors.
  • Roles being undertaken in regional areas of Australia.
  • Employees who are employed by an Accredited Sponsor.
  • Employees who are employed under a Designated Area Migration Agreement or Labor Agreement.
  • All other applications.

Permanent or Provisional Skilled Migration

  • 186 (Employer Sponsored Skilled Migration visa, PSMOL/Agricultural Sector occupations and Global Talent Employer Sponsored) visas.
  • 188 (Significant Invest Stream) visas.
  • 187 (Regional Skilled Migration Scheme, PSMOL/Agricultural Sector occupations and Global Talent Employer Sponsored) visas.
  • 186/187/494 (Critical sector) visas.
  • 186/187 (Labor Agreement or Designated Area Migration Agreement) visas.
  • 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional) visas.
  • 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) visas.
  • 186/187 (all remaining applications) visas.
  • 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visas.
  • 190 (Skilled – Nominated) visas.
  • 190 (Skilled – Independent) visas.
  • All other applications.

Additional Information: The updated categories give the highest priority to Hong Kong or British national passport holders. More information regarding skilled visa priority processing can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The priority processing lists are complex but the changes made to them do not substantially change last year’s lists. Processing times are not expected to change substantially. BAL continues to monitor changes in priority processing categories and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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