52. Ministerial Direction 117

Show Notes

Keywords:
Subclass 804, Subclass 801, Subclass 820, Subclass 884, Subclass 864, Aged Parent Visa, Partner Visa, Contributory Aged Parent Visa

Episode Summary:

On 25 July 2026, Ministerial Direction 117 came into effect and replaced Ministerial Direction 102. It gives highest priority to Family visa applications made while the primary applicant was in Australia, for a visa that can be granted while the applicant is in Australia.

It then sets out different priority levels for different types of family visas. There’s a lot of information — and a lot of confusion — around this change. In this episode, we’re cutting through the complexity and hopefully we can provide some clarity on what has changed, who is likely to be affected, how the priority system works.

Final Thoughts

Don’t rush to get on shore and lodge a family visa application while in Australia. All family visa applications are now subject to condition 8503 – which means you cannot lodge another application when onshore. 8503 waivers are rare and are not granted easily. Even though MD117 puts partner and dependent visas on the higher priority list, higher priority does not guarantee faster processing times.

Main Topics:
• (00:00) – Changes in Ministerial Direction 117
• (05:12) – Applicant’s location in processing priority
• (06:38) – Partner Visa already lodged
• (07:24) – Parent Visa processing time
• (09:12) – Does higher priority mean faster processing time?
• (10:35) – Things to be aware of about MD117

Additional Resources:
• Family Visa Processing Times
• Ministerial Direction 117

How DMS Migration Helps Skilled Professionals Navigate the Australia PR Process

Australia’s permanent migration system is detailed, document-intensive, and subject to ongoing policy change and proposed changes to the Family Visa system are a reminder that the rules can shift quickly. For most skilled professionals and families, navigating it alone carries real risk, not because the process is impossible, but because the cost of errors or missed deadlines can be significant.

DMS Migration works with skilled professionals at every stage of the Australian permanent residency journey:

Personalised Migration Assessment
Skills Assessment Guidance
Points Calculation and Gap Analysis
EOI Strategy and Submission
Employer Sponsorship Advice
State Nomination Support
Documentation Review

Need immigration advice, want to discuss your Family Visa application, or have questions about your PR journey? Whether you’re just starting out, stuck at a particular stage, or simply want a clearer picture of your options, we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

Navigating the Australian skilled migration system can be complex and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Amitava and the Debika Migration Services team bring years of hands-on experience helping skilled professionals like you find the right pathway to permanent residency.

📞 Call us directly at +61 415 882 542 🔗 Connect with Amitava: Amitava Deb on LinkedIn 📱 Follow Debika Migration Services: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

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