Quick answer: Directions 121 and 122 use substantially the same tier 1 priority occupation categories, covering construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, plus law enforcement and Defence interests. This piece summarises the principal occupation groups and categories used across both Directions - the applicable Direction should be checked for its operative wording.
Last reviewed: 19 September 2026
This article summarises the tier 1 priority-sector categories used by Directions 121 and 122 - substantially the same categories apply whichever you're checking, temporary or permanent/provisional, though the applicable Direction should be checked for its operative wording. The Directions do not establish a further internal ranking among roles within a given category - that does not mean all applications within it will be decided at the same speed or with the same outcome.
A Tier 1 priority category is not an occupation list for visa eligibility. It concerns processing order under the Directions. The nominated occupation must still satisfy the requirements of the relevant visa stream, nomination framework and migration legislation.
Important: A job title alone is not enough to determine whether an application falls within a priority category. The relevant Direction, the nominated occupation, the proposed duties, the visa stream and the facts of the individual matter must all be considered.
Construction
| Code / Group | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Sub-Major Group 33 | Construction Trades Workers |
| Sub-Major Group 82 | Construction and Mining Labourers |
| Unit Group 1331 | Construction Managers |
| Unit Group 1332 | Engineering Managers |
| Unit Group 2321 | Architects and Landscape Architects |
| Unit Group 2332 | Civil Engineering Professionals |
| Unit Group 3121 | Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians |
| Unit Group 3122 | Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians |
| Unit Group 3126 | Safety Inspectors |
| Unit Group 3129 | Other Building and Engineering Technicians |
| Unit Group 3222 | Sheetmetal Workers |
| Unit Group 3223 | Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers |
| Unit Group 7111 | Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators |
| Unit Group 7121 | Crane, Hoist and Lift Operators |
| Unit Group 7212 | Earthmoving Plant Operators |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) |
| 341112 | Electrician (Special Class) |
Healthcare
| Code / Group | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Sub-major Group 25 | Health Professionals |
| Minor Group 411 | Health and Welfare Support Workers |
| Unit Group 2346 | Medical Scientists |
| Unit Group 2721 | Counsellors |
| Unit Group 2723 | Psychologists |
| Unit Group 2725 | Social Workers |
| Unit Group 3112 | Medical Technicians |
| 423111 | Aged or Disabled Carer |
| 423312 | Nursing Support Worker |
| 423313 | Personal Care Assistant |
Teaching
| Code / Group | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Minor Group 241 | School Teachers |
| Unit Group 1341 | Child Care Centre Managers |
| 134311 | School Principal |
| 134411 | Faculty Head |
| 242111 | University Lecturer |
| 242211 | Vocational Education Teacher (AUS) / Polytechnic Teacher (NZ) |
| 421111 | Child Care Worker |
Agriculture, Aquaculture or Fishing
Defined by specified activity rather than ANZSCO code. Whether a role qualifies depends on its actual duties and the precise wording of the Direction - the categories below are:
- The cultivation, production or harvesting of crops
- The capture (fishing), breeding, raising, management or production of livestock, poultry, seafood or other primary agricultural products
- Agricultural production support activities, including animal health, irrigation, quality assurance, inspection or farm supervision
- The slaughter, dressing, boning, slicing, processing, preparation or inspection of livestock, poultry, seafood or other primary agricultural products for sale, distribution or consumption
Resources
| Code / Group | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Unit Group 2336 | Mining Engineers |
| Unit Group 2344 | Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists |
| Unit Group 7122 | Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers |
| 133513 | Production Manager (Mining) |
| 232212 | Surveyor |
| 232214 | Other Spatial Scientist |
| 234912 | Metallurgist |
| 323211 | Fitter (General) |
| 323212 | Fitter and Turner |
| 323213 | Fitter-Welder |
| 323214 | Metal Machinist (First Class) |
| 323299 | Metal Fitters and Machinists nec |
Law enforcement
ANZSCO Unit Group 4413 - Police, where the applicant is nominated or sponsored by the Australian Federal Police, or a State or Territory police force (NSW, NT, QLD, SA, Tasmania, Victoria or WA).
Defence
- Work in relation to, or supporting the delivery of, AUKUS Pillar I (conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines) or Pillar II (advanced capability development); or
- The applicant is nominated or sponsored by the ADF or Department of Defence; or
- The applicant holds a letter of support from the ADF or Department of Defence, and will either ordinarily work at a defence facility or their occupation supports the production or supply of defence-related materiel or technology - this is a detailed test, and the exact wording should be checked against the operative definition before relying on it for a specific case.
Tier 2 has no occupation list
Direction 121's tier 2 Specialist Skills category is not defined by the same fixed occupation list as tier 1. For the purposes of this priority category, the relevant occupation classification is framed by ANZSCO Major Group 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 - a broad professional, managerial or trade band - but this does not replace the separate visa, nomination and stream requirements. It remains necessary to meet all applicable requirements for the Specialist Skills stream, including the genuine-position requirement and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (check the current published figure - it was $146,576 for the 2026-27 program year as at 19 September 2026). Direction 122 does not contain an equivalent Specialist Skills priority category - its structure runs straight from tier 1 to the ordinary onshore/offshore tiers.
For the full tier breakdown behind this list, see our Direction 121 and Direction 122 guides.
Sources
- Ministerial Direction 121, Department of Home Affairs (official PDF)
- Ministerial Direction 122, Department of Home Affairs (official PDF)
- Specialist Skills stream, Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Department of Home Affairs
- Salary requirements to nominate a worker, Department of Home Affairs
About the author
Ruobing Yang, Legal Practitioner Director
Legal Practitioner Number (LPN): 5511418
Profile: alclawyers.com.au/person/ruobing-yang
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruobingyang209
This list reflects our understanding of Ministerial Directions 121 and 122 as at the date of publication. Ministerial Directions can be amended or replaced. Contact us directly for advice on your specific occupation or matter.