Part 2 of our Direction 119 series
Direction 119's five-tier priority order only bites if two things line up: the visa subclass has to be one the Direction actually covers, and the occupation has to fit one of its precisely defined categories. This piece breaks down exactly which Direction 119 occupations and visas are covered, and how each priority category is defined.
Two schedules, two different jobs
Direction 119 applies through two schedules. Schedule A covers nomination applications - the employer-side lodgement under section 140GB of the Act or regulation 5.19 of the Regulations. Schedule B covers the broader set of visa applications, including points-tested and business pathways that never go through an employer nomination stage at all.
| Subclass | Also known as | Schedule A (nomination) | Schedule B (visa) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Yes | Yes |
| Subclass 187 | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme | Yes | Yes |
| Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) | Employer-sponsored temporary skilled work | Yes | Yes |
| Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) | Transitional applications only | Yes | Yes |
| Subclass 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | Yes | Yes |
| Subclass 189 | Skilled Independent | No | Yes |
| Subclass 190 | Skilled Nominated | No | Yes |
| Subclass 191 | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | No | Yes |
| Subclass 489 | Skilled Regional Provisional | No | Yes |
| Subclass 491 | Skilled Work Regional Provisional | No | Yes |
| Subclass 888 | Business Skills (Permanent) | No | Yes |
| Subclass 887 | Skilled Residence | No | Yes |
Twelve subclasses fall within this framework in total, but only five of them go through an employer nomination stage that Direction 119 also prioritises separately.
How the occupation categories are actually defined
Read this part slowly. Each priority category is defined by reference to specific ANZSCO sub-major groups, unit groups, and individual six-digit occupation codes - not by a general description of an industry or a job title.
Law enforcement
Limited to ANZSCO Unit Group 4413 - Police, and only where the applicant is nominated or sponsored by the Australian Federal Police, or a State or Territory police force (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania or the Northern Territory).
Defence
Covers occupations connected to AUKUS Pillar I (conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines) or Pillar II (advanced capability development), plus ANZSCO Unit Group 4411 (Defence Force Members - Other Ranks) and three specific officer codes - 111212 Defence Force Senior Officer, 139111 Commissioned Defence Force Officer, and 139211 Senior Non-Commissioned Defence Force Member. All of these require nomination or sponsorship by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence.
Construction
- Sub-Major Group 33 - Construction Trades Workers
- Sub-Major Group 82 - Construction and Mining Labourers
- Unit Group 1331 - Construction Managers
- Unit Group 2321 - Architects and Landscape Architects
- Unit Group 2332 - Civil Engineering Professionals
- Unit Group 3121 - Architectural, Building and Surveying 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) and 341112 Electrician (Special Class)
Healthcare
- 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, and 423313 Personal Care Assistant
Teaching
- Minor Group 241 - School Teachers
- Unit Group 1341 - Child Care Centre Managers
- 134311 School Principal, 242211 Vocational Education Teacher (AUS) / Polytechnic Teacher (NZ), 421111 Child Care Worker, and 242111 University Lecturer
Within each category, every listed occupation carries equal priority - there's no internal ranking between, say, an Electrician and a Civil Engineering Professional. Both are simply “construction” for Direction 119 purposes.
Don't confuse this with the National Innovation Visa
The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is not in either schedule and has nothing to do with Direction 119. It's dealt with under the separate Direction 120, which uses an entirely different, merit-based priority structure. If a client asks about NIV timing, this Direction is the wrong reference point.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa covered by Direction 119?
Yes, along with any transitional Temporary Skill Shortage 482 applications still on hand.
Do all twelve covered subclasses go through a nomination stage?
No. Only the five subclasses in Schedule A - 186, 187, 482 (both streams) and 494 - involve a nomination application. The other seven in Schedule B are points-tested or business-stream visas without an employer nomination step.
What if my occupation sounds like it should qualify for a priority category but I'm not sure?
Check it against the specific ANZSCO group or code listed above rather than the general description - the categories are drawn precisely, and an occupation that sounds close may fall just outside the listed groups.
Sources
- Ministerial Direction 119, Department of Home Affairs (official PDF)
- Skilled visa processing priorities, Department of Home Affairs
- Migration Regulations 1994, regulation 1.03 (ANZSCO)
This article reflects our understanding of Ministerial Direction 119 as at the date of publication. Ministerial Directions can be amended or replaced, and this article is general information, not legal advice for your specific circumstances. Contact us directly for advice on your matter.