Direction 123 replaces Direction 110 on character from 31 October 2026

The Department’s legislation database records Direction No. 123, given under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958, as signed on 18 September 2026 and commencing on 31 October 2026, with the status not in effect and revoking Direction no. 110.

Direction 110 is the direction on visa refusal and cancellation under section 501 and revocation of a mandatory cancellation under section 501CA. It has been the operative direction since 21 June 2024, when it revoked Direction 99.

What this means for a matter on foot

Direction 110 continues to apply until 31 October 2026. A delegate deciding before that date decides under Direction 110. The Tribunal applies the direction in force when it makes its decision, so a review that is decided on or after 31 October 2026 falls under Direction 123 even where the delegate applied Direction 110.

What we are not saying yet

The text of Direction 123 is not yet published at the Departmental path that carries the other current directions, and the database entry did not render the body of the instrument. We have therefore recorded the number, the dates and the revocation, and nothing about the content. The primary considerations and the guidance on the character test will be reported here once the Direction itself can be read.