Hi,
Under the following link I found that nurses receive priority processing for Visa applications:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/medic...ers/nurses.htm

As we are applying for a 176 and fall into category 2, the standard processing times published by DIAC is 12 months.

Can anyone shed any light on how being a nurse and have priority processing will help. Does it mean I will move into category 1 which is 6 months processing time....

Thanks,
Simon

Category 1 is for employer sponsored visas. If you are lodging a 176 you are not employer sponsored and thus no, you will not be in this processing category.

You will be in Category 2 if you have been sponsored by a state with nurse on the SMP. As most SMPs are on hold at the moment it is not possible to say conclusively that you will fall into this category.

The new processing priorities have only just come out, it is really difficult to say how long things will take so if you have seen official estimates (actually don't think I have) these are probably the best things to work from right now.

BS, the link to the new customer service charter with processing times is in George Lombards sticky thread at the top of the immi forum.