The ACT Government has released updated July 2026 nomination guidelines for Canberra residents and overseas applicants seeking nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa Subclass 190 or the Skilled Work Regional visa Subclass 491.
Both pathways require applicants to meet the relevant Department of Home Affairs visa criteria, maintain a valid SkillSelect Expression of Interest and compete for selection through the Canberra Matrix.
The ACT Migration Application Portal will open on 30 July 2026, allowing eligible applicants to submit and manage their Canberra Matrix applications. Meeting the eligibility requirements or submitting a Matrix does not guarantee an invitation. Selection depends on the applicant’s occupation, residency category, Matrix score, demand and available nomination places.
ACT Nomination Options
The ACT can nominate eligible applicants for two skilled visa subclasses:
| Visa | Visa Type |
|---|---|
| Skilled Nominated visa Subclass 190 | Permanent skilled visa |
| Skilled Work Regional visa Subclass 491 | Provisional regional skilled visa |
ACT Migration assesses the nomination application. The Department of Home Affairs separately assesses the visa application and makes the final visa decision.
Applicants must continue meeting the relevant visa requirements until ACT nomination is confirmed. This includes maintaining a valid skills assessment, English result and sufficient points.
ACT Nomination Process
The application process follows this sequence:
Lodge a valid Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
Check the ACT eligibility requirements for Subclass 190 or 491.
Create an account in the ACT Migration Application Portal.
Submit a Canberra Matrix and pay the required fee.
Wait for the Matrix to be ranked.
Lodge an ACT nomination application if invited.
Receive a Home Affairs visa invitation if ACT nomination is approved.
Submit the relevant visa application within 60 days.
Applicants must satisfy the ACT nomination criteria when the Canberra Matrix is submitted or updated.
Application Portal Open
The ACT Migration Application Portal will open on 30 July 2026. Eligible applicants can create an account, submit or update a Canberra Matrix, pay the applicable fee and lodge a nomination application after receiving an invitation.
Understanding Canberra Matrix
The Canberra Matrix is a points-based system used to rank applicants interested in ACT nomination.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, points may be available for:
- English proficiency
- Skilled employment
- Qualifications
- ACT residence or study
- Relevant work experience
- Nominated occupation
- ACT job offers
- Business activity
- Partner circumstances
- Close family connections
Every point claimed must be supported by evidence. An applicant who receives an invitation but cannot prove their eligibility or Matrix claims may have the nomination application refused.
Matrix Invitation Selection
Canberra residents and overseas applicants are ranked separately because different Matrix criteria apply to each group.
ACT Migration generally considers the highest-ranked Matrix submissions within each occupation. Invitation cut-offs depend on occupation demand, available nomination places and the number of invitations issued.
Subclass 491 submissions are selected before Subclass 190 submissions. The ACT may also prioritise occupations connected with:
- Care
- Education
- Construction
- Renewable energy
- Advanced technology
Where applicants have the same score, the submission date and time may affect selection.
Canberra Resident Requirements
Canberra residents must meet the residence, employment, English and pathway requirements for their selected visa subclass.
| Requirement | Subclass 491 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra residence | At least 3 months | At least 6 months |
| Canberra employment | At least 13 weeks | At least 26 weeks |
| Employee working hours | At least 15 hours per week in 13 of the previous 15 weeks | At least 30 hours per week in 26 of the previous 30 weeks |
| English | Competent English unless a higher level is required | Proficient or Superior English, subject to occupation exceptions |
| ACT commitment | Live and work in Canberra during processing and for at least 2 years after visa grant | Live and work in Canberra during processing and for at least 2 years after visa grant |
Applicants may also live in certain nearby New South Wales locations within approximately 30 minutes of Canberra, including Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Googong.
Bank statements or transaction records must support the claimed Canberra residence period.
Canberra Employment Evidence
Eligible Canberra employment must be genuine, paid and consistent with Australian workplace requirements.
Employees may need to provide:
- Payslips
- Bank records showing salary payments
- Employment contracts or records
- Evidence of working hours and dates
- An employer statutory declaration
Unpaid internships, volunteer positions, scholarships and stipends are not accepted as eligible employment.
Applicants working for an interstate employer must demonstrate a genuine reason for being based in Canberra. Work performed entirely online or from a home office does not meet this requirement.
Self-Employed Residents
Self-employed Canberra residents who are not claiming Small Business Owner points may qualify if they meet the applicable income and business activity requirements.
| Requirement | Subclass 491 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable income | At least $610 per week in 13 of the previous 15 weeks | At least $1,175 per week in each of the previous 26 weeks |
| ACT business activity | At least 12 months under the ABN | At least 12 months under the ABN |
Applicants must also provide a statutory declaration explaining their ABN, business location, duties, income and commencement date.
The published income thresholds may be reviewed and adjusted.
Canberra Resident Pathways
Canberra residents must qualify through an available ACT nomination pathway.
Occupation List Pathway
The applicant’s nominated occupation must appear on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Small Business Pathway
The applicant must be the majority owner of an eligible registered ACT business and claim the relevant Small Business Owner Matrix points.
Subletting, ride-share, taxi, delivery and courier businesses are excluded. A business previously sold or transferred for nomination purposes may also be ineligible.
Doctorate Pathway
A streamlined pathway may be available to eligible applicants who completed a doctorate at an ACT university and satisfy the relevant residence requirements.
Economic Benefit Pathway
The ACT Government may directly identify an applicant whose employment provides significant economic benefit to the Territory.
Applicants cannot request or independently apply through this pathway.
Overseas Applicant Requirements
Overseas applicants must generally be living outside Australia when submitting or updating their Canberra Matrix.
The applicant and migrating dependants must generally:
- Be living overseas
- Not have lived in Australia during the previous 12 months
- Not hold a current Australian visa, other than an accepted visitor visa
A limited exception may apply to children enrolled in an ACT school.
The nominated occupation must also appear on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Overseas Eligibility Comparison
| Requirement | Subclass 491 | Subclass 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant work experience | At least 1 year in the previous 5 years | At least 3 years in the previous 5 years |
| English | Competent English unless a higher level applies | Proficient or Superior English, subject to stated exceptions |
| ACT occupation list | Required | Required |
| Labour-market research | Required | Required |
| Canberra job readiness | Required | Required |
| Canberra commitment statement | Required | Required |
| Settlement funds | Required | Required |
The work experience must be full-time, completed after the relevant qualification and related to the nominated occupation.
Where the assessing authority provides employment assessment or points advice, the claimed employment must be accepted as relevant by that authority.
Overseas Employability Evidence
Overseas applicants must research employment opportunities in Canberra and demonstrate that their qualifications and experience are relevant to the ACT labour market.
The employability statement should address:
- The nominated occupation
- Relevant qualifications and experience
- Recent Canberra vacancies
- Registration or licensing requirements
- Whether the applicant could realistically perform the available roles
Applicants should not rely on a generic statement about Canberra’s economy. The information should connect their actual professional background with suitable ACT employment opportunities.
Some Australian Government positions may also require Australian citizenship or an appropriate security clearance.
Commitment to Canberra
Overseas applicants must provide a personal statement explaining why they intend to live and work in Canberra.
The statement should be written in the applicant’s own words and demonstrate genuine research into employment, accommodation, lifestyle and long-term settlement in the ACT.
Applicants must also declare their intention to live and work in Canberra for at least two years after arriving in Australia and show access to sufficient settlement funds.
The July 2026 guidelines do not specify a fixed settlement-fund amount.
Important ACT Deadlines
| Application Stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Canberra Matrix payment | Within 7 days of submission |
| Canberra Matrix validity | 6 months without an invitation or update |
| Maximum validity after update | Up to 12 months from the original submission |
| ACT nomination application | Within 14 days of invitation |
| Visa application | Within 60 days of ACT nomination |
An unpaid Canberra Matrix will lapse. An invitation will also expire if the nomination application is not submitted and paid within 14 days.
Updating Canberra Matrix
Applicants may update or withdraw a Canberra Matrix before an invitation is issued.
An update may be appropriate where the applicant gains additional work experience, receives a better English result or has another relevant change in circumstances.
However, the updated Matrix replaces the previous submission and is treated as a new submission for ranking purposes. The applicant must satisfy all relevant visa, nomination and Matrix requirements on the date of the update.
Multiple Matrix Submissions
Applicants may submit up to two Canberra Matrices for each nomination pathway, covering a maximum of four occupations.
Each occupation must be supported by:
- An appropriate skills assessment
- An accurate SkillSelect EOI
- Evidence supporting the nomination criteria
- Evidence supporting the claimed Matrix score
The ACT generally provides only one nomination place per person. A person successfully nominated for one ACT skilled visa subclass cannot ordinarily obtain another ACT nomination place.
After an Invitation
When a Canberra Matrix is selected, an ACT nomination application is automatically created in the applicant’s portal account.
The applicant must then complete the nomination form, upload supporting documents, check the SkillSelect EOI, pay the nomination fee and submit the application within 14 days.
ACT Migration may decide the application using only the evidence uploaded. Applicants should therefore ensure that all documents are complete, accurate and current when the application is submitted.
Processing Urgent Requests
ACT nomination applications are generally finalised within approximately three weeks.
Expedited assessment may be requested where, within 10 working days:
- The applicant’s visa will expire
- The English test will expire
- The skills assessment will expire
- The passport will expire
- The applicant will lose age points and fall below the visa’s minimum points requirement
Expedited assessment applies only after a nomination application has been lodged. It does not provide priority in the Canberra Matrix invitation process.
Think Higher Support
Think Higher Consultants can assist with:
- ACT Subclass 190 and 491 eligibility reviews
- Canberra resident and overseas pathway assessments
- SkillSelect EOI and points checks
- Canberra Matrix planning
- Occupation and skills assessment reviews
- Employment and residence evidence
- Employability and commitment statement guidance
- ACT nomination application preparation
- Document and risk reviews
Migration advice is provided by a Registered Migration Agent where required.
Final Considerations
Applicants considering ACT nomination should review their SkillSelect EOI, nominated occupation, skills assessment, English result, employment history and supporting documents before submitting a Canberra Matrix.
The July 2026 guidelines establish different requirements for Canberra residents and overseas applicants. Choosing the correct pathway and supporting every eligibility and Matrix claim with reliable evidence is essential.
ACT nomination and visa outcomes are determined by the ACT Government and the Department of Home Affairs. Meeting the requirements or submitting a Canberra Matrix does not guarantee an invitation, nomination or visa grant.
