Network elements provide application-level QoS for application-layer messages processed therein. An application based message is examined upon IP reassembly thereof. Information is accessed about a sender of the message. A credential is assigned to the sender based on the sender information and/or a status validated for a device that sends said message. The message is dynamically prioritized in relation to other network traffic to provide application QoS based on the sender credential and/or the device status. The message priority is changeable on the fly according to the dynamically variable information. Sender information relates to a role or authority level associated therewith and is dynamically variable with respect to time, situation and/or circumstance. Thus, OSI Layer 5, 6, or 7 application message role/status based attributes determine how packets are marked with Layer 2, 3 or 4 QoS values, integrating application-level concepts of order and priority into network-layer QoS mechanisms.