ACT Skilled Migration Nomination For 2025-26

The Australian Capital Territory – ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Program for 2025–26 sets out detailed requirements for subclass 190 and 491 visas, structured around the Canberra Matrix points system and different pathways for residents and overseas applicants. Dive in to learn more about the requirements and application process.

Latest updates

For the 2025–26 program year, the ACT is still waiting for the Australian Government to confirm its final nomination allocation. In the meantime:

• The ACT Critical Skills List has been updated and reduced from 152 to 105 ANZSCO 4-digit unit groups.
• ACT Migration continues to accept and process applications and aims to maintain a three-week processing timeframe.
• Any ACT nomination approvals issued after 1 July 2025 will only be lodged in SkillSelect once the final allocation has been confirmed.
• Current nominations are being assessed against the 2024–25 Home Affairs criteria for each visa pathway. These settings may change, and if Home Affairs updates its rules before allocation is confirmed, some EOIs may no longer meet ACT nomination requirements, and affected applicants will be notified.
• Applicants must inform ACT Migration promptly of any changes in circumstances, such as expired documents, updated claims, or altered points score that could affect the outcome of their visa application.

ACT Skilled Visa Pathways

The ACT Government can nominate skilled migrants for two main visa types under the Department of Home Affairs framework.

• Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa subclass 491, which is a temporary regional visa.
• Skilled Nominated Permanent visa subclass 190, which is a permanent residency visa.

ACT uses the Canberra Matrix to select and rank candidates and relies heavily on its Critical Skills List and ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List to target occupations that match local labour market needs.

Canberra Residents Subclass 190 Nomination

To pursue ACT 190 nomination as a Canberra resident, you must satisfy occupation, residency, employment, English, commitment, and partner requirements at the time you submit your Canberra Matrix.

Occupation requirements

You must meet one of these ACT Resident pathway options.

• Nominated occupation: Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
• Primary 457 or 482 visa holder: You hold a subclass 457 or 482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer and have worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for that employer for the last six months. Your occupation does not need to be on the ACT list if it appears on the relevant DHA Skilled Occupation List.
• Business owner: You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT, and you are claiming Small Business Owner points under the Matrix. In this case, your occupation can be any occupation on the relevant DHA Skilled Occupation List.

Certain business models are not accepted for the business owner pathway, including 

• Sub-tenancy arrangements
• Ride share
• Taxi
• Delivery
• Courier services

Residency requirements

• You must have lived in Canberra for at least six months on the date you submit the Canberra Matrix and continue living there up to the date of invitation.
• Your bank transaction history must clearly show ACT-based activity over this period.
• Living within about a 30-minute commute in NSW, such as Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, or Googong, is acceptable and treated as a Canberra residence.

Employment requirements

You must show at least 26 weeks of work in Canberra before submitting your Matrix. Employment types, employee, self-employed, and small business owner, can be combined as long as the overall hours and earnings criteria are met.

Employee

• Minimum 30 hours per week in at least 26 of the 30 weeks before Matrix submission.
• Income must appear in payslips and bank statements weekly, fortnightly, or monthly for the claimed period.
• The position must be genuine, meet Australian workplace law, and pay at least the relevant award or market salary. Unpaid roles such as internships, scholarships, and volunteer work are not eligible.
• An employer’s statutory declaration must confirm the role is genuine and compliant. For large organisations, this can be signed by a manager or direct supervisor.
• If working in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a clear business reason for being Canberra-based. Remote or purely home-based online work for an interstate employer is not acceptable.

Self-employed (not claiming Small Business Owner points)

• Taxable income of at least AUD 1,000 per week for each of the 26 weeks immediately before Matrix submission.
• A minimum of 12 months of ACT business activity on your ABN.
• A statutory declaration detailing ABN, ACT business location, start date, duties, and annual income.

Small Business Owner

• You must be eligible to claim Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category.
• A statutory declaration must outline your ACT small business details, including ABN, number of employees, and duration of their employment, business location, start date, duties, and annual income.

English requirements 

• You must meet the DHA requirement for either Proficient or Superior English unless your nominated occupation is Chef ANZSCO 351311 or is an ANZSCO skill level 3 to 5 occupation.
• Your English test and skills assessment must both be valid at the time you submit the Matrix, and on the date ACT nomination is decided.

Commitment to Canberra

You need to sign a declaration confirming you will live and work in Canberra while your visa is being processed and for at least two years from the date your visa is granted.

Spouse or partner requirements

• Your spouse or partner must have lived in Canberra for at least six months or be living overseas.
• To claim any Matrix points for your partner, you must provide evidence of the relationship, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership or union certificate, or VEVO showing secondary applicant status. The document must be dated before the Matrix submission.
• ACT does not accept de facto relationships without a formal relationship certificate.
• If claiming partner employment points, they must meet DHA competent English or hold an Australian passport.

Service fee

The application fee for ACT nomination is AUD 300.

Canberra Residents Subclass 491 Nomination

Canberra residents can also seek ACT nomination for the Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa subclass 491 with slightly lower residence and employment thresholds.

Occupation requirements

• The ACT Resident pathway mirrors the 190 rules.
• Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
• You are a primary 457 or 482 visa holder sponsored by an ACT employer and have worked six months in Canberra in your nominated occupation for that employer with the DHA Skilled Occupation List applying.
• You are a majority owner of an eligible ACT-based business and are claiming Small Business Owner Matrix points with an occupation on the relevant DHA Skilled Occupation List.
• Prohibited business types such as sub tenancy, ride share, taxi, delivery or courier, and previously sold businesses used for earlier nominations are also excluded here.

Residency requirements

• You must have lived in Canberra for at least three months before submitting your Matrix and remain there until the invitation is issued.
• Bank statements must demonstrate ACT banking activity for that period.
• You may also live within a 30-minute commute into the ACT from NSW such as Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, or Googong.

Employment requirements

You must have worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks before the Matrix submission. Multiple employment types can be combined.

Employee:

• Minimum 15 hours per week in at least 13 of the 15 weeks prior to Matrix submission.
• Income must appear on payslips and bank statements for the claimed period.
• The job must be genuine, correctly paid at or above the award or market rate, and unpaid work is not accepted.
• A statutory declaration from the employer is required confirming that the role meets Australian labour standards.
• If employed in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a genuine operational reason for being Canberra-based. Online or home only work is not sufficient.

Self-employed (non-Small Business Owner):

• Total taxable income of at least AUD 520 per week in at least 13 of the 15 weeks prior to Matrix submission.
• At least 12 months of ACT business activity on your ABN.
• Statutory declaration confirming ABN, ACT business location, business start date, duties, and annual income.

Small Business Owner:

Same declaration requirements as under the 190 pathway, confirming business details, staff, duties, and income.

Other requirements

• English: You must meet DHA competent English or a higher level if required by your assessing authority.
• Commitment: You must sign a declaration to live and work in Canberra during visa processing and for at least two years from the visa grant.
• Spouse or partner: They must have lived in Canberra for at least three months or be overseas. Relationship and English evidence rules mirror the 190 pathway.
• Service fee: The nomination fee is AUD 300.

Overseas Residents Subclass 190 Nomination

Overseas applicants can also be nominated for ACT 190 but face higher thresholds around residence, work experience, English, and settlement.

Occupation

Your nominated occupation must appear on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.

Residency

You and any migrating dependents, excluding children already studying in the ACT, must be living overseas, must not have lived in Australia in the last 12 months, and must not hold an Australian visa or bridging visa except a visitor visa.

ACT employability

• You must show you have researched the ACT labour market and that you are realistically employable in Canberra with a profile relevant to the ACT economy.
• You must provide an employment statement summarising your research and listing recent job vacancies in Canberra that match your skills and experience.
• You should be aware that Australian Government roles may be unavailable due to citizenship or security clearance requirements.

Relevant overseas work experience

• At least three years of full-time post-graduation work experience with a subclass 485 visa in your nominated occupation in the last five years.
• This experience must be assessed as relevant by your skills assessing authority, where a points advice service is offered.
• Your skills and experience must be relevant to the ACT economy, and you must hold any required Australian registration or licence if applicable.

English overseas 190

• You must meet DHA Proficient or Superior English unless your occupation is Chef 351311 or is ANZSCO skill level 3 to 5.
• English test and skills assessment must be valid at Matrix submission and at the date of nomination.

Other requirements 

• You must attach a commitment statement in your own words explaining why you want to live in Canberra and sign a declaration to live and work in the ACT for at least two years from your permanent arrival in Australia.
• You must show sufficient settlement funds to cover your migration and initial living costs in Canberra.
• If claiming partner points, you need formal relationship evidence and your partner must meet competent English or hold an Australian passport for employment points.
• Service fee: AUD 300.

Overseas Residents Subclass 491 Nomination

For overseas applicants targeting ACT 491, the structure is similar but with slightly reduced work experience and English requirements.

Occupation and residency

• Your occupation must be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
• You and migrating dependants, excluding school children in Canberra, must be overseas, not have lived in Australia for the last 12 months, and hold no Australian visa or bridging visa other than a visitor visa.

Employability and work experience

• You must provide an employment statement showing labour market research and job vacancies you can realistically fill in Canberra.
• You need at least one year of full-time post-graduate work experience in your nominated occupation in the last five years assessed as relevant by your assessing authority.
• Your skills must tie into the ACT economy, and you must hold any necessary Australian registration or licence.

Other requirements

• English: At least DHA competent English or a higher level if your assessing authority requires it.
• Commitment: Same commitment statement and two-year residency declaration as for 190 from the date of permanent arrival.
• Funds and partner: Same settlement funds requirement and partner evidence and English rules as for the 190 overseas stream.
• Service fee: AUD 300.

Canberra Matrix and Points

The Canberra Matrix is a score-based expression of interest system where you claim points for factors such as skilled employment, English proficiency, qualifications, length of residence or study in the ACT, business and investment activity, close family ties, and other contribution factors.

There are separate Matrices for Canberra residents and overseas applicants, and online Matrix calculators are available for each group. The Matrix is weighted to favour applicants who demonstrate a clear economic contribution to the ACT or show a strong and genuine commitment to living in Canberra.

Step-by-Step ACT Nomination Process

Step 1: Check ACT eligibility

• Read the ACT nomination guidelines and confirm you are eligible for the chosen visa and pathway.
• Canberra residents verify eligibility for 190 or 491.
• Overseas applicants verify eligibility for 190 or 491.

Step 2: Complete the Canberra Matrix

• Once eligible, you register your interest by submitting the Canberra Matrix.
• Use the relevant Matrix calculator to estimate your score.
• Submit the Matrix selecting the points you claim in each category.
• By submitting, you confirm you meet visa and ACT nomination criteria and can prove all points claimed.
• You will receive an email summary of your claimed scores.
• The Matrix cannot be updated or withdrawn. If your points change or you made an error, you must submit a new Matrix.
• Supporting documents must demonstrate that your claimed points were accurate on the date of Matrix submission. While waiting for an invitation, you must continue to meet DHA visa requirements.

Step 3: Ranking and invitations

• Matrix submissions for residents and overseas applicants are ranked separately.
• Occupations on the ACT Critical Skills List may be prioritised, particularly in health, education, social assistance, construction, and IT.
• In each occupation group, 491 Matrices are selected first, followed by 190 visas where applicable.
• High-scoring Matrices are invited first, and if too many have the same score, the date and time of submission may be used as a tie breaker.
• A 190 Matrix will not be ranked if there is an active 491 invitation for the same applicant.
• Canberra resident 457 or 482 holders can be invited if they score at least 60 points.
• Small Business Owner Matrices are ranked and invited according to overall demand and occupation caps.
• You will not be invited if you have already received an ACT nomination before or currently have an active nomination application.
• ACT does not provide individual ranking feedback or prioritise cases due to personal circumstances, and Matrices automatically lapse after six months if not invited.

Step 4: Apply for ACT nomination if invited

• If your Matrix is selected, you receive an email invitation with a link to the online nomination form.
• The invitation is valid for 14 days. If you do not submit your application and pay the fee, it will lapse.
• You will not receive another invitation while an application is active.
• Before accepting double double-check your SkillSelect EOI for accuracy. After ACT confirms nomination in SkillSelect, you cannot edit your EOI.
• Seek advice if you suspect errors, and contact ACT Migration immediately if discovered after applying but before nomination.
• By accepting and applying, you confirm your SkillSelect EOI answers are correct, you meet ACT nomination and DHA visa criteria at the date of Matrix submission and now, and you can evidence all Matrix claims.
• You must apply and pay the service fee within the 14-day window.

Step 5: Assessment and outcomes

• ACT processes applications in order of submission and does not prioritize processing based on personal circumstances.
• During assessment, ACT will review your SkillSelect EOI and your supporting documents.
• A decision may be made solely on the documents submitted, and ACT is not obliged to request more evidence.
• If approved, ACT confirms nomination in SkillSelect, which triggers an invitation from DHA to lodge your visa application.
• If refused, ACT will explain why. You may request reconsideration only if there was a case officer error, and any review is limited to the original documents submitted. You may submit a new Matrix later if your situation changes.

Step 6: Apply for the visa

• Once nominated, you have 60 days to lodge your ACT-nominated visa with DHA or the nomination lapses.
• Reapplying for ACT nomination
• In exceptional circumstances, ACT may allow renomination.
• You must submit a new Matrix in the same visa subclass and email ACT Migration with the Matrix reference number, explaining the exceptional circumstances, and providing evidence.
• ACT will only lift the duplicate bar if satisfied that you could not apply due to genuine exceptional events, you did everything reasonable to avoid needing renomination, the impact on other applicants is minimal, and granting renomination would benefit the ACT.
• The decision also depends on demand in your occupation and the remaining allocation. If rejected on demand grounds, you may try again six months later.
• If DHA refuses your ACT-nominated visa, the ACT Government will not appeal to the AAT on your behalf.

Contact VEM today for personalized guidance about Australian Capital Territory migration and visa applications! Our registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648) will assist you with tailored advice to navigate your immigration journey successfully.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent.

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Mr. Phong Cao

CEO and Founder of VEM

Mr. Phong Cao is a licensed migration agent by MARA (MARN: 1577877). He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), one of the most reputable organizations in the field of immigration in Australia. In addition, Mr. Phong Cao holds a QEAC certification in study abroad consulting (QEAC: K580) and Australian real estate investment (RA85931). With over 12 years of experience in Australian immigration, he provides comprehensive solutions for studying and settling in Australia.