Skilled Migration to Canberra, ACT
The ACT nominates skilled migrants through the Canberra Matrix, a merit-based ranking system unique to the territory. Unlike other states, the ACT does not use a simple Expression of Interest, applicants are scored across employment, residency, qualifications, English proficiency, and family ties, then ranked competitively within each occupation. This page covers all nomination pathways, Subclass 190 and 491 eligibility rules, full scoring categories, and the latest invitation round data.
LAST UPDATED JUNE 2026
PROGRAM YEAR 2025-26
SNMP : OPEN
3 NOMINATION PATHWAYS
1,600 NOMINATION PLACES ISSUED
1,518
TOTAL APPROVALS
As at
12 June 2026
3
NOMINATION PATHWAYS
Canberra Resident, Overseas Applicant & PhD Streamlined
800
SUBCLASS 190
2025-26
State Allocation
800
SUBCLASS 491
2025-26
State Allocation
HOW IT WORKS
ACT Nomination Basics
The ACT Government nominates skilled migrants for two visa subclasses: Subclass 190 (permanent) and Subclass 491 (provisional regional). Nomination from the ACT triggers the Department of Home Affairs invitation to apply for the visa. You cannot apply directly. You submit a Canberra Matrix (a scored expression of interest) and wait to be invited. The ACT ranks all Matrix submissions within each occupation and selects the highest-ranked applicants at each invitation round, subject to monthly allocation and occupation caps. The 2025-26 annual allocation is 1,600 places. Demand routinely exceeds supply.
📝 Important Note
Meeting the federal 65-point visa threshold does not get you an ACT invitation. In accountancy and ICT, Canberra residents needed 130 to 135 points in the May 2026 round. Know your occupation's actual cut-off, not just the eligibility floor.
NOMINATION PATHWAYS
Three Pathways. Different Rules For Each.
The ACT operates three distinct nomination pathways. Eligibility criteria, Matrix requirements, and ranking queues differ between them. Check which one fits your profile before submitting anything.
STANDARD
ACT Nominated Migration Program
The main pathway for skilled workers.
Open to Canberra residents and overseas applicants. Your occupation must be on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List. Ranked competitively by Matrix score within each occupation.
OPEN MONTHLY ROUNDS
OCCUPATION LIST REQUIRED
SUBCLASS 190
SUBCLASS 491
ACADEMIC
PhD Streamlined
For holders of a professional or research doctorate from an ACT university. No Matrix points required. Eligible applicants are invited at the next round after submitting the Matrix form. Fastest path to an ACT invitation if you qualify.
OPEN MONTHLY ROUNDS
OCCUPATION LIST REQUIRED
SUBCLASS 190
SUBCLASS 491
GOVERNMENT INITIATED
Government Initiated Invitation (GII)
For applicants the ACT determines to be of significant economic benefit who do not meet standard eligibility criteria. Not a self-initiated pathway. The ACT contacts you. You cannot request it.
ACT INITIATED ONLY
CANNOT BE REQUESTED
APPLICANT TYPE
Canberra Resident VS Overseas Applicant
These are not just different forms. They are separate ranking queues. Resident and overseas applicants compete independently within each occupation. Thresholds for residents are generally lower because the ACT weights existing local employment and economic contribution.
Overseas applicants face higher thresholds and a larger competing pool. Accountants are a clear example: residents needed 130 (491) and 135 (190) in May 2026.
Overseas applicants in the same occupation needed 100 and 115, still high, but a different bracket. Canberra residents include people living within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW, provided they are working in Canberra.
SCORING SYSTEM
The Canberra Matrix: What Gets You Points
The Matrix is a structured points tool. You select the points you can claim in each category. The ACT ranks submissions by total score within each occupation. There are separate Matrix forms for Canberra residents and overseas applicants, with different pools and different thresholds.
Your supporting documents must prove every claim is accurate at the exact date of submission. The Matrix cannot be updated once submitted.
1
Occupation
Points weighted by how critical the occupation is to the ACT economy. Must appear on the current ACT Occupation List.
2
ACT Employment
Points for current skilled employment in Canberra in your nominated occupation. For Canberra residents, minimum 13 weeks of ACT employment is a baseline eligibility requirement. Self-employment counts if the work is skilled.
Length of
ACT Residence
Longer Canberra residency earns more points. Applicants within 30-minute commuting distance in NSW including Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong, may qualify as Canberra residents.
3
4
English Language Proficiency
Scored by test band across listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Higher bands return more points. The exact bands required depend on occupation.
5
Study in
the ACT
Points for completing a qualification at an ACT institution. A doctorate from an ACT university unlocks the PhD Streamlined pathway bypassing competitive Matrix ranking entirely.
Investment and
Business Activity
Business ownership, investment in the ACT, and years of ACT business operation contribute points under relevant categories.
6
7
Close Family Ties
in ACT
Points for completing a qualification at an ACT institution. A doctorate from an ACT university unlocks the PhD Streamlined pathway bypassing competitive Matrix ranking entirely.
📄 Matrix Submission
Once submitted, the Matrix cannot be updated or withdrawn. If your score changes, lodge a new Matrix your submission timestamp resets. Submissions expire after six months if no invitation is issued.
MATRIX TOOL - ONSHORE APPLICANTS
Canberra Matrix Calculator : Onshore Applicants
6
Estimate your Matrix score using the official ACT Government scoring criteria. This tool covers the Canberra resident pathway for Subclass 190 and 491. Select your situation in each category your score updates in real time and is benchmarked against June 2026 cut-offs.
MATRIX TOOL - OFFSHORE APPLICANTS
Canberra Matrix Calculator : Offshore Applicants
Estimate your Matrix score using the official ACT Government scoring criteria. This tool covers the Canberra resident pathway for offshore applicants. Select your situation in each category your score updates in real time and is benchmarked against June 2026 cut-offs.
SELECTION
How The ACT Picks Who Gets Invited
Within each occupation, the ACT works down from the highest-ranked Matrix until the monthly allocation or occupation cap is hit. The exact cut-off shifts every round based on demand and remaining places.
1
Matrix Score
Primary ranking factor. Higher scores are selected first within each occupation group. Small score differences matter, particularly in high-demand occupations where thresholds cluster tightly.
2
Monthly Allocation and
Occupation Caps
The ACT receives a fixed number of places each month, pro-rated against the 1,600 annual allocation. Occupation caps apply. Once a cap is reached, no further invitations issue in that occupation for that round.
4
Critical Sector Priority
Occupations in critical sectors may be assessed ahead of non-critical occupations within a round, regardless of score.
3
Submission Date & Time
Where two Matrix submissions are equally ranked, the earlier submission date takes priority. Submit promptly, after verifying your documents are ready.
📄 Important Note
The ACT will not respond to requests about individual ranking or the likelihood of receiving an invitation. Matrix submissions will not be prioritised based on personal circumstances.
PRIORITY
Critical sectors: What Gets Prioritised
The ACT may prioritise Matrix submissions in critical sector occupations within a round. This means a critical sector applicant with a lower score can receive an invitation ahead of a non-critical sector applicant with a higher score.
The June 2026 additional round is a small 190-only round specifically for critical sector occupations. Critical sectors as at 2026:
Healthcare
Education
Construction
Social Assistance
Tourism and Hospitality
Advanced Technology
JUNE 2026 DATA
Invitation Round Scores, 11 June 2026
Minimum Matrix scores from the most recent invitation round. These are the lowest scores invited in each occupation on that date, not a guarantee for future rounds. Scores shift with monthly demand and remaining allocation.
The June 2026 round was Subclass 190 only, with critical sector occupations prioritised. No Subclass 491 invitations were issued in this round.
Frequently Asked Question
Does 65 points guarantee an ACT invitation?
No. The 65-point federal eligibility threshold is the floor for visa eligibility, not for ACT nomination. The ACT selects applicants by Matrix ranking within each occupation. In competitive fields, Canberra residents have needed 125–135 points in recent rounds.
Can I update my Matrix after I submit it?
No. Perth is a designated regional area for migration purposes, along with the rest of WA. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded from the regional definition, so living or working in Perth doesn't disqualify you from the subclass 491 visa or count against any regional residency requirement.
How long does my Matrix stay active?
Six months from the submission date. If no invitation is issued in that period, the Matrix expires automatically.
What is the PhD Streamlined pathway?
Available to holders of a professional or research doctorate completed at an ACT university. No Matrix points are required. Eligible applicants are invited at the next invitation round after submitting the Matrix form. It is the only ACT pathway that bypasses competitive score-based ranking.
Why are ICT and accounting scores so much higher than trades?
Thresholds are driven by applicant volume relative to available places in each occupation. ICT and accounting attract far more applicants than the ACT has places for, pushing scores up. Trade occupations have lower competition, so scores sit lower.
Can I receive ACT nomination more than once?
No. The ACT offers one nomination place per person. If you have previously been nominated, you cannot apply again.
What happens if the ACT has already nominated me for a different visa?
Invitations will not be issued if you have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nomination. This applies across both subclass 190 and 491.
STAY AHEAD OF THE 2026-27 OPENING
ACT's program moves fast once it reopens. Be first to know when the next intake launches.
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