ACT’s 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program Details

TL;DR

• Program Overview: The ACT offers 165 nomination places for 190 (permanent) and 491 (provisional) visas in 2025-26.
• Visa Requirements: Both visas need ACT nomination, and you must commit to living and working in Canberra for 2 years.
• Canberra Matrix: Complete a points-based Canberra Matrix to increase your chances of getting nominated for a visa.
• Critical Skills List: If your occupation is on the ACT’s Critical Skills List, you may get extra points.
• Application Process: Meet the eligibility criteria, submit the Canberra Matrix, wait for an invitation, then apply for ACT nomination and your visa.

Are you considering making Canberra your new home? With its vibrant culture, strong economy, and diverse career opportunities, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) could be the perfect destination for your skills and ambitions. South of Sydney and north of Melbourne, Canberra is known for its unique lifestyle and growing demand for skilled workers. Through the ACT’s 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program, you could make this vibrant city your home.

Let’s break down what the program offers and how you can get started on your migration journey!

Please note: This article serves as a general guide to help you understand the topic, with information accurate as of the publication date. We recommend consulting a registered migration agent or The Department of Home Affairs for precise, up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Also Note:

1. Each visa under the Skilled Occupation List has specific requirements, such as certain qualifications, relevant skills, and sometimes even location preferences, depending on the role and demand in different regions.
2. Although there is a generic website hosted by the Australian government for SOL that lists out all the occupations that are in available/demand, in reality, there are visa subclasses and each subclass has its own specific occupation list.
3. The Skilled Occupation List is frequently updated to align with the state’s labour market needs, and navigating these changes can be complex. Consulting with a Registered Migration Agent like Knowbal ensures you choose the most appropriate visa for your occupation and personal circumstances.

What is ACT’s Skilled Migration Program?

The ACT Skilled Migration Program aims to address the growing demand for skilled workers in the territory. The Australian Government allocates a set number of nomination places each financial year, allowing skilled workers to apply for visas with the support of the ACT Government.

For the 2025-26 period, the ACT has been allocated 165 nomination places, broken down as follows:

1. 85 places for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (subclass 190): This visa lets you live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
2. 80 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): This provisional visa is for skilled workers wanting to live and work in regional Australia, including the ACT, for up to five years.

State nomination by the ACT is an important first step. However, it does not guarantee that your visa application will be successful. You must still meet the visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. It’s important to carefully review these requirements to ensure you’re on the right track.

Understanding the 491 Visa and 190 Visa Nomination Criteria

Both the subclass 190 visa and the subclass 491 visa allow you to work in Australia, but they come with different conditions.

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

1. Permanent residency: This visa lets you live and work in Australia indefinitely.
2. Nomination required: You must be nominated by the ACT Government before you can apply.
3. Two-year commitment: Once granted, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from your visa grant date.

Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491)

1. Provisional visa: This visa is valid for five years and allows you to live and work in regional areas of Australia, including the ACT.
2. Nomination required: You must be nominated by the ACT Government before you can apply.
3. Two-year commitment: Once granted, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from your visa grant date.
4. Permanent residency pathway: After living and working in Canberra for a set period, you may be eligible to transition to permanent residency.

These visas provide skilled workers with different levels of commitment and flexibility, depending on your situation. It’s important to ensure you meet the criteria before applying for nomination.

How to Apply for ACT 491 and 190 Nomination

To apply for state nomination under the ACT’s Skilled Migration Program, you’ll first need to complete the Canberra Matrix, a score-based system used to assess and rank candidates. Your score will determine your eligibility for both the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491).

Here’s how the Canberra Matrix works:

1. Skilled Employment: You can earn points for relevant work experience in your nominated occupation.
2. English Proficiency: Higher English test scores will help you earn more points.
3. Qualifications: Formal qualifications in your field of expertise can increase your points.
4. Length of ACT Residence/Study: If you’ve lived or studied in the ACT, you will be awarded additional points.
5. Close Family Ties: Points can also be awarded if you have close family members living in the region.

Once you’ve submitted the Canberra Matrix via the Skilled & Business Migration portal, your application will be ranked based on the points you’ve claimed. Applicants with higher scores will have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply for state nomination.

It’s important to note that while submitting the Canberra Matrix increases your chances of being invited to apply, there is no guarantee. The demand for ACT nominations often exceeds the number of available spots.

What is the ACT Critical Skills List?

The ACT Critical Skills List is a list of occupations currently in demand within the ACT. If your occupation is on this list, you’ll have a higher chance of receiving an invitation to apply for nomination.

Here’s why the Critical Skills List is important:

1. Eligibility for nomination: If your occupation is listed, you may claim additional points in your Canberra Matrix.
2. Occupation caps: Some occupations have a cap on the number of nomination places available. If the cap for your occupation is reached, you may not be invited to apply.

The list was most recently updated in April 2023 and will be revised annually before the start of the new financial year to ensure the ACT Migration Program remains aligned with the changing critical skills demands of the ACT economy. Check the list here to see if your occupation is still in demand.

ACT Nomination Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The ACT Skilled Migration Program offers a clear process for skilled migrants who wish to live and work in Canberra. The steps below will guide you through the process, from eligibility checks to the submission of your application.

Step 1: Meeting the ACT Nomination Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for ACT nomination, make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for your chosen visa. The key eligibility criteria for Canberra residents and overseas applicants are as follows:

For Canberra Residents

491 Nomination (Provisional Visa):

1. You must have lived in Canberra for at least three months.
2. You must have worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks.
3. You need to have a valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
4. Your nominated occupation must be on the ACT Critical Skills List or on the Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Occupation List.

190 Nomination (Permanent Visa):

1. You must have lived in Canberra for at least six months before submitting your Canberra Matrix.
2. You must have worked in Canberra for 26 weeks.
3. You need to meet the Department of Home Affairs’ criteria, including English proficiency and relevant qualifications.
4. Your nominated occupation must be on the ACT Critical Skills List or Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Occupation List.

For Overseas Applicants

491 Nomination (Provisional Visa):

1. Your nominated occupation must be on the ACT Critical Skills List.
2. You need to have at least one year of full-time relevant overseas work experience in your nominated occupation in the last five years.
3. You must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ eligibility criteria (e.g., valid skills assessment, English proficiency).

190 Nomination (Permanent Visa):

1. Your nominated occupation must be on the ACT Critical Skills List.
2. You must have a minimum of three years of full-time overseas work experience in your nominated occupation within the last five years.
3. You must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ eligibility criteria (skills assessment, English proficiency, etc.).

Step 2: Completing the Canberra Matrix

The next step is to register your interest by completing the Canberra Matrix. This is a score-based system where you can claim points based on various factors, such as:

1. Skilled employment
2. English proficiency
3. Qualifications
4. Length of ACT residence/study
5. Family ties to the region

The Canberra Matrix will assess your eligibility based on these categories. Your Matrix score will determine if you are invited to apply for ACT nomination. Once submitted, you will receive an email summarising your Matrix score.

Step 3: Wait for Your Matrix Submission to Be Processed and Ranked

After submitting your Canberra Matrix, your application will be ranked based on the points you’ve claimed. The ACT Government will prioritise applications for occupations in critical sectors such as healthcare, IT, and construction.

1. Canberra Residents: Those with a nominated occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List may be given priority.
2. Overseas Applicants: The selection of Matrix submissions depends on demand and occupation caps, with priority given to those in critical sectors.

Please note that there is no guarantee of being invited to apply. The ACT has a limited number of nomination places, and demand often exceeds supply.

Step 4: Apply for ACT Nomination

If your Matrix is selected and you receive an invitation, the next step is to submit your ACT nomination application. You must provide the necessary documents to support your claims. Be sure to double-check the information in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) to ensure it is accurate before you submit your application.

1. Accepting the Invitation: Review the details of your SkillSelect EOI and ensure everything is correct. Once you accept the invitation, you must submit the application within 14 days.
2. Required Documents: This includes skills assessments, English language proficiency, qualifications, and employment verification.

Step 5: We Assess Your Application

Once your application is submitted, the ACT Government will assess your documents. Your supporting documents must prove that you meet the ACT nomination eligibility criteria and that your Matrix claims are true. Your SkillSelect EOI will also be reviewed to ensure it aligns with your application.

1. Application Processing: The ACT will process applications in the order they are submitted.
2. Approval: If your application is approved, your ACT nomination will be confirmed on SkillSelect, which will trigger an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for your visa.

Step 6: Apply for the ACT Nominated Visa

If you have received the ACT nomination, you get 60 days to apply for the visa through the Department of Home Affairs. If you decide not to apply for the visa, the nomination will expire, and the spot will be lost.

Once your visa application is accepted and processed, you can start your new life in Canberra.

ACT Nomination Refused: Here’s What to Do

In exceptional circumstances, applicants may request to reapply for ACT nomination. You must demonstrate why you could not apply for your visa previously and show that your situation has changed.

Reapplication Criteria: If you meet the criteria for renomination, you can submit a new Canberra Matrix and email the ACT Migration team explaining your situation.

Please note: You cannot reapply for ACT nomination until six months after a refusal based on occupation demand.

The ACT nomination process is a well-structured and transparent way for skilled migrants to make Canberra their new home. While the process requires careful attention to detail, following the steps outlined will improve your chances of successfully obtaining your ACT nomination and migrating to Canberra.

Final Thoughts

ACT’s 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program offers various opportunities for skilled workers to contribute to the region’s growing economy while enjoying the many lifestyle benefits of living in the ACT. Whether you’re a graduate, a skilled worker, or an offshore applicant, this program provides a clear pathway for you to settle in Canberra.

Before applying for ACT nomination, make sure to thoroughly check the eligibility requirements and complete your Canberra Matrix accordingly. With the right preparation, you could soon be on your way to making Canberra your new home.

Start your application today! Book a consultation with Knowbal and get expert guidance throughout your ACT nomination process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ACT invitation round for May 2025?

The invitation round for May 2025 will depend on the ACT Government’s allocation of nomination places and the demand for skilled workers. Candidates with high Canberra Matrix scores are more likely to be invited.

2. What is the Migration Act 482 visa?

The Migration Act 482 visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, allows employers to sponsor skilled individuals for temporary employment in Australia.

3. Who is eligible for skilled migration to Australia?

Skilled migration to Australia is available to individuals with skills, qualifications, and work experience in occupations listed on the relevant occupation lists. You must also meet the points test and other visa-specific requirements.

4. Is Canberra a regional area for immigration?

Yes, Canberra is a regional area for immigration purposes, especially for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491), which requires living and working in a regional area.

5. What is the ACT Critical Skills List 2025?

The ACT Critical Skills List identifies occupations in demand in Canberra and is used to assess eligibility for ACT nomination. If your occupation is listed, you may be eligible for additional points in the Canberra Matrix.

Have more questions? Contact Knowbal!