The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has updated its statutory processing protocols for the Family Migration Stream through the promulgation of Ministerial Direction No. 117, effective 25 July 2026. This directive replaces Ministerial Direction 102 to establish clear operational queuing priorities for Department case officers.
Core procedural adjustments under Direction 117
The primary operational distinction under Direction 117 is the prioritization of Onshore family applications ahead of Offshore applications within the Partner (Subclasses 820/801 vs 309/100) and Child visa categories.
Family stream assessment hierarchy
- Tier 1: Personal Ministerial Intervention cases.
- Tier 2: Partner Visas, Prospective Marriage Visas (Subclass 300), and Child Visas (Onshore preceding Offshore).
- Tier 3: Orphan Relative Visas (Subclasses 117 and 837).
- Tier 4: Contributory Parent Visas (Subclasses 143, 173, 864, and 884).
- Tier 5: Carer Visas (Subclasses 116 and 836).
- Tier 6: Non-Contributory Parent and Remaining Relative Visas.
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Source: Department of Home Affairs / Ministerial Direction 117 / De1 Analysis
