31/08/2026
🚨 MIA calls for priority to be restored for highly skilled offshore workers and overseas partners of Australians
The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has renewed its call for the Australian Government to reconsider the processing priorities for highly skilled offshore workers and partners of Australians who are currently overseas.
In its latest media release dated 28 August 2026, MIA raised concerns about the impact of the recently introduced Ministerial Directions 117 and 119.
🔹 Impact on Australian businesses
Many Australian businesses — particularly those in regional areas — have invested significant time and money in recruiting skilled workers from overseas to address local skills shortages.
However, with some offshore skilled visa applicants now placed at the bottom of the processing queue, businesses are facing significant uncertainty around when these workers will actually be able to enter Australia and commence employment.
This could mean:
❌ Delays in filling critical skills shortages
❌ Greater uncertainty for employers
❌ Potential loss of visa and recruitment costs
❌ Negative impacts on business productivity
🔹 Impact on Australian families
Under the current processing priorities, some offshore partner visa applicants may face extremely long waiting periods.
MIA argues that Australian families should be able to reunite with their partners and that prolonged separation can have a significant impact on families.
🔹 What is MIA calling for?
MIA is urging the Government to:
👉 Amend Ministerial Directions 117 and 119
👉 Restore appropriate priority for highly skilled offshore workers and offshore partners of Australians.
👉 Consider alternative ways to manage net overseas migration without unnecessarily delaying these visa applicants
📌 What does this mean for visa applicants?
At this stage, this is an industry call for policy change — not an announcement that the Government has agreed to change MD117 or MD119.
However, MIA's statement highlights growing industry concerns about the impact of the current processing priorities on both Australian businesses and families.
We will continue to monitor any further announcements from the Australian Government.
