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Migration Update : 11 November 2022

1. DEPT OF HOME AFFAIRS: Streamlined requirements for temporary visa applicants in Australia 

Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities, which are outlined in Ministerial Direction No. 100. 

The following skilled visas are subject to Ministerial Direction No. 100:​ 

  • Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent) 
  • Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) 
  • Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) 
  • Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) (Provisional) 
  • Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) 
  • Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated) 
  • Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) 
  • Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) 
  • Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage 
  • Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)) 
  • Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) 
  • Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) 
  • Subclass 858 (Global Talent) 
  • Subclass 887 (Skilled – Regional) 
  • Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent). 

Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:​ 

  1. Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation. 
  2. For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status。 
  3. Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area. 
  4. For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa. 
  5. All other visa applications.​ 

For all categories above, priority will be given to holders of eligible passports. 

Within each category above, for provisional and permanent skilled visa applications, priority is given to visa applications where the primary applicant is located outside Australia at the time the visa application is made.​ 

Healthcare or Teaching Occupations 

  • ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 – Health Professionals 
  • ANZSCO Minor Group 241 – School Teachers 
  • ANZSCO Minor Group 411 – Health and Welfare Support Workers 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 – Child Care Centre Managers 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 – Medical Scientists 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 – Counsellors 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 – Psychologists 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 – Social Workers 
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 – Medical Technicians 
  • ANZSCO occupations: 
    • 134311 – School Principal 
    • 421111 – Child Care Worker 
    • 423111 – Aged or Disabled Carer 
    • 423312 – Nursing Support Worker 
    • 423313 – Personal Care Assistant 

2. Immigration Medical Examinations for Temporary Visa Applicants in Australia 

The Department of Home Affairs has recently announced temporary changes to who is required to undertake health examinations. If you are a temporary visa applicant who is already in Australia, you will not be required to undertake health examinations in most cases, unless you have declared that you:  

  • have applied for a medical treatment, temporary protection or a provisional visa; 
  • expect to incur medical costs or require medical treatment; 
  • are intending to work as (or study to be) a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic: 
  • will enter a hospital, aged or disability care facility (if higher tuberculosis risk); 
  • are pregnant and intending to have the baby in Australia; 
  • will work or train at an Australian childcare centre; 
  • are aged over 75 years (if applying for a visitor visa); 
  • have had previous household contact with tuberculosis; or 
  • are requested to do so by the Department. 

If you have already made a health examination appointment with Bupa Medical Visa Services and have not yet attended it, your appointment will be cancelled and refunded. Bupa will contact you via SMS to advise you of this. Do not contact Bupa to cancel your appointment yourself. If you are not advised that your appointment has been cancelled, you should attend if possible.