What Has Changed: Ministerial Direction 117

From 25 July 2026, Ministerial Direction 117 (MD117) changed the processing priorities for Australian Family visa applications.

Under the new direction, the highest priority is generally given to eligible Family visa applications lodged while the primary applicant was in Australia and which can be granted while the applicant remains in Australia.

Applications lodged offshore, or visas that require the applicant to be offshore at the time of grant, receive a lower processing priority.

The change affects a range of Family visas, including Partner, Child, Parent, Contributory Parent and Carer visas.

For families already waiting offshore, particularly parents who have been in the queue for years, the change creates an important question: could your wait now become even longer?

Parent Visa Wait Times Were Already Long

Even before MD117, Parent visas were facing significant processing delays.

Current estimates indicate waits of approximately:

Contributory Parent visas: around 15 years

Parent visas: around 33 years

These timeframes are estimates only and can change depending on annual migration planning levels, demand and the number of applications available for processing.

Parent visas also remain subject to Australia's existing capping and queueing arrangements.

MD117 does not cancel existing offshore applications or mean they will never be granted. However, with eligible onshore Family visa applications now receiving higher processing priority, offshore applicants may face additional uncertainty over how long their applications will take.

Who Could Be Most Affected?

The change is particularly relevant to families with Parent or Contributory Parent visa applications lodged offshore.

Some applicants have already been waiting for many years and may have made long-term financial, retirement and family plans based on earlier processing expectations.

Contributory Parent visas can also involve substantial visa application charges, including a second instalment payable before grant.

For these families, even a further delay of several years could have a major impact on where parents live, how families plan for retirement and whether they can realistically reunite in Australia.

What About Applications Already Lodged Offshore?

This is an important distinction.

Simply travelling to Australia on a temporary visa does not automatically convert an existing offshore Parent visa application into an onshore priority application under MD117.

Processing priority depends on factors including where the relevant Family visa application was lodged and whether that visa can legally be granted while the applicant is in Australia.

Applicants should therefore be cautious about changing their plans based solely on the new priority rules.

Can You Request Priority Processing?

MD117 allows the Department to consider processing outside the usual order in special circumstances of a compassionate nature where there are compelling reasons.

This is assessed case by case and priority processing is not guaranteed.

There is also no standard statutory timeframe guaranteeing that a Parent visa application will be decided within a particular number of years.

If your family circumstances have significantly changed since lodgement, it may be worth obtaining advice on whether any alternative pathway or priority request is genuinely available.

Practical Steps for Affected Families

1. Check your application details
   Confirm the subclass, lodgement date, queue date where applicable, and current status of the application.
2. Do not rely on an old processing estimate
   Parent visa processing times can change significantly as government priorities, planning levels and application volumes change.
3. Do not assume entering Australia changes your priority
   An existing offshore application does not automatically become an onshore priority case simply because the applicant later travels to Australia.
4. Review whether another pathway is available
   Depending on age, family circumstances, visa history and current location, there may be other temporary or permanent options worth considering.
5. Get advice before making major decisions
   With Parent visas already facing waits measured in decades, changing or withdrawing an existing application without understanding the consequences can create additional cost and risk.

Key Takeaways

• MD117 took effect on 25 July 2026 and changed Family visa processing priorities.
• Eligible onshore Family visa applications generally receive higher processing priority than offshore applications.
• Contributory Parent visas already face estimated waits of around 15 years, while Parent visas can face waits of around 33 years.
• MD117 does not mean offshore Parent visa applications have been cancelled or will never be granted.
• Entering Australia temporarily does not automatically change an existing offshore application's processing priority.
• Families who have already waited several years should review whether the new priority arrangements affect their longer-term migration strategy.

Already waiting for an offshore Parent visa?

If your family has been waiting for years and you are unsure what MD117 means for your application, now is a good time to review your position.

A migration lawyer can assess your existing application, explain how the new processing priorities may affect you, and identify whether any realistic alternative pathway is available before you make your next move.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

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