The Minister has set a new priority processing direction which comes into effect on 23 September 2009.

This Direction applies to applications in the pipeline that have not been finalised, and to applications lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, on or after 23 September 2009.

Priority processing applies to both onshore and offshore applications.

Processing priorities (highest priority listed first)

1. ENS and RSMS applications
2. State/territory nominated applications with nominated occupation on Critical Skills List (CSL)
3. Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on CSL
4. Applications not nominated or sponsored, but with nominated occupation on CSL
5. State/territory nominated applications with nominated occupation NOT on CSL
6. (i) applications with nominated occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) (ii) Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on the MODL
7. all other applications processed in the order in which they are received

GSM visas subject to priority processing

Skill Matching Subclass 134
Skilled – Independent Subclass 136
Skilled – State/Territory-nominated Independent Subclass 137
Skilled – Australian-sponsored Subclass 138
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Subclass 139
Skilled – Independent Subclass 175
Skilled – Independent Subclass 176
Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 475
Skilled – Graduate Subclass 485
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

GSM visas NOT subject to priority processing

Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476
Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883
Skilled – Regional Subclass 887.

Processing priority for subclass 485 applications

1. applications from people who have completed an Australian Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
2. applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the CSL
3. applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institution in Australia
4. applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Honours degree (at least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
5. applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree or Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institution in Australia
6. all other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

Processing priority for Business Skills (Provisional) visa applications

1. applications from people who are sponsored by the Commonwealth or a State/Territory government
2. all other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

DIAC’s estimated processing times

Applications with nominated occupation on CLS: within 12 months of lodgement

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you have applied for an offshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an offshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2012.

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you applied for an onshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an onshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2011.

Your ‘nominated occupation’ is the occupation you nominated at the time you lodged your application and cannot be changed.