Priority Processing Arrangements for Skilled Migration Visas

These priority processing arrangements apply to visa applications already lodged with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, as well as to future visa applications.

The new priority processing arrangements apply to the following Australian visas:

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)

General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas listed below.


From 14 July 2010, processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) are:


1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and the RSMS.

2. Applications from people who are nominated by a state or territory government agency with a nominated occupation that is specified on that state or territory’s state migration plan.

3. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

Priority processing arrangements apply to current applications, including those in the final stages.


GSM visas affected

The following GSM visas are affected by priority processing:

Skilled – Independent subclass 175

Skilled – Independent subclass 176

Skilled – Regional Sponsored subclass 475

Skilled – Regional Sponsored subclass 487

Skilled – Independent Regional subclass 495

Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) subclass 496

Graduate – Skilled subclass 497

Skilled – Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen subclass 861

Skilled – Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen subclass 862

Skilled – Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand Citizen subclass 863

Skilled – Independent Overseas Student subclass 880

Skilled – Australian-sponsored subclass 881

Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student subclass 882

Skilled – Independent subclass 885

Skilled – Sponsored subclass 886.

ENS, RSMS and State Migration Plans – Priority groups 1 and 2

Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS or RSMS receive the highest level of priority processing.


Applications from people who are nominated by a state or territory government agency with a nominated occupation that is specified on the state or territory’s state migration plan receive the second highest level of priority processing. State migration plans will be developed by state/territory governments in consultation with the department.

They will include occupations that are in demand in each individual state and territory. State migration plans are currently being developed and are expected to come into effect during the second half of 2010.


Applicants that have been nominated by a state or territory government agency in an occupation that is subsequently specified in their nominating state or territory’s state migration plan will receive processing under priority group 2.

Occupations on the SOL in effect at 1 July 2010 – priority group 3

All applicants with a nominated occupation on the SOL (Skilled Occupations List) are included in priority group 3. This includes both independent applicants and applicants sponsored by an Australian family member or nominated by a state or territory government (but not on a state migration plan).

Priority group 3 includes all applicants with a nominated occupation of accountant, except those already included in priority groups 1 or 2.

All other applications – priority group 4

Applicants with a nominated occupation that is not on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) in effect at 1 July 2010 and who are not employer sponsored or nominated by a state or territory government under a state migration plan, will be processed under priority group 4.

Applicants with a nominated occupation that is not on the SOL in effect at 1 July 2010 can only move into a higher priority group by lodging a new application with an employer sponsorship or a state or territory government nomination in an occupation specified under a state migration plan.


Alternatively, applicants can only nominate a different occupation that is on the SOL by lodging a new application. It is not possible to change a nominated occupation or to change to an employer sponsored or state nominated visa category, unless a new application is lodged. A new application would require the payment of a new Visa Application Charge.

Source:http://www.emigrantaustralia.com/en/priority_processing_arrangements_for_skilled_migration_visas-63.html