Immigrate to Australia through ACT Nomination

Did you know Canberra offers great opportunities for skilled professionals?

The ACT Nominated Migration Program is one of the best pathways for professionals seeking to live and work in the capital city. Known for its clean environment, strong job market, and high quality of life, Canberra offers endless opportunities for skilled talent.

Through this program, eligible candidates can apply for Australia PR for two types of skilled migration visas: the Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 and the Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491. Both options allow candidates to settle and grow their careers in Canberra.

Check Eligibility for Australia PR!

What is the ACT Nomination in Australia?

The ACT Nomination is a skilled program by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government that allows skilled workers and professionals to live and work in Canberra through the Subclass 190 (Permanent) or Subclass 491 (Provisional) visa.

However, applicants are assessed through the Canberra Matrix, a points-based system that rewards skills, experience, and commitment to Canberra. Successful nominees gain a pathway to Australian residency while contributing to the ACT’s growing economy, innovation, and community development.

Visa Options for Skilled Migrants in ACT

• Subclass 190 Visa State-Sponsored (Permanent): This visa is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra. This type of visa provides a permanent residency pathway via state nomination, offering additional points to help meet the Department of Home Affairs’ skilled visa points test.

• Subclass 491 Visa Skilled Work Regional (Provisional): This is a provisional visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Canberra. This type of skilled worker visa provides permanent residency via the Subclass 191 Visa after three years of living and working in the region.

ACT Nomination Pathway

There are different types of ACT nomination pathways to immigrate to Canberra:

Canberra Residents

To follow this, the Canberra resident pathway requires candidates to live in Canberra. Read the eligibility criteria to apply for the ACT nomination:

• ACT 491 Nomination: To apply for the 491 subclass pathway, candidates must be living and working in Canberra for at least three months.
• ACT 190 Nomination: To apply for the 190 subclass, applicants must be living and working in Canberra for at least six months.

Overseas Applicants

To follow the overseas pathway, aspirants and their family dependents cannot be living in Australia (except the child who enrolled in the ACT school). Read the eligibility criteria to apply for the overseas:

• ACT 491 Nomination: For this 491 nomination pathway, candidates must have at least 1 year of relevant experience in the specific nominated occupation.
• ACT 190 Nomination: For this 190 nomination pathway, applicants must have 3 years of experience in their nominated occupation.

NOTE: You cannot apply for this visa if you are living in Australia.

Service Fees

The service fees for the processing of the application for the ACT Skilled Migration Program are $300, and these fees are non-refundable. These service fees are an administrative change and do not guarantee approval of an application for ACT nomination.

Doctorate Streamlined Nomination

For the doctorate streamlined nomination process, one must follow the following eligibility criteria:

• Canberra Resident: To be eligible, candidates must reside in Canberra and complete a research or professional doctorate at an ACT university.
• Interstate/overseas applicants: Applicants must have a research or professional doctorate from an ACT university within the last two years.

NOTE: You cannot apply under this pathway if you did not study at an ACT university.

ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List 2025

The ACT Nomination Migration Program Occupation List outlines the occupations eligible for ACT nomination under the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) and the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visas.

However, these highlight the roles and responsibilities that are high in demand or support priority sectors such as healthcare, education, construction, renewable energy, and advanced technology.

Applicants can earn additional Canberra Matrix points if their occupation is on the Australia skilled migration list. The ACT government can cap certain occupations when demand exceeds allocation. The occupation list was updated on October 10, 2025, and it is reviewed annually to align with Canberra’s evolving economic needs.

What is the Process of ACT Nomination?

The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) immigration nomination process allows skilled workers to apply for ACT nomination under the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa. This pathway helps eligible candidates settle and work in Canberra.

Here’s how the process works step by step:

1. Check Eligibility

Before applying, make sure aspirants meet both:

• The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requirements for the relevant visa subclass (190 or 491).
• The ACT nomination criteria include occupation availability on the ACT Critical Skills List, residency requirements, and minimum points in the Canberra Matrix.

2. Complete the Canberra Matrix

Candidates must fill out the Canberra Matrix invitation round, a point-based system that ranks candidates based on:

• Skilled employment in Canberra
• English proficiency
• Length of ACT residence
• Education and spouse’s skills
• Investment and community contribution
• The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation.

3. Wait for an Invitation

• ACT conducts regular invitation rounds. If the applicant's Canberra Matrix score is competitive, the candidate may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for ACT nomination.

NOTE: Receiving an invitation doesn’t guarantee approval. It just allows you to lodge a nomination application.

4. Apply for ACT Nomination

After receiving an ITA, submit your ACT nomination application within 14 days. The candidate will need to provide supporting documents, such as:

• Passport
• Skill assessment
• English test results
• Employment proof
• Residency evidence
• Pay the nomination application fee during submission.

5. Receive Nomination Decision

If the aspirant’s application meets all requirements, ACT will nominate you for the selected visa subclass (190 or 491). The nomination details are then updated in SkillSelect.

6. Apply for Skilled Worker Visa

Once nominated, a candidate will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for a skilled worker visa in Australia. Submit aspirants visa application within 60 days through your ImmiAccount.

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How is the ACT Immigration Nomination Helpful For Candidates?

The ACT Nomination (Australian Capital Territory Nomination) helps skilled candidates by providing a pathway to permanent residency (PR) in Australia through the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Here’s how it benefits candidates:

• Extra Points for PR: Getting nominated by the ACT adds 5 points (for 190) or 15 points (for 491) to your total score in the SkillSelect system, improving your chances of receiving an invitation. The candidate can count their points through the Australia 65-points calculator.
• Priority Processing: Nominated candidates often receive priority consideration for their visa applications, speeding up the overall process.
• Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency: Subclass 190 offers direct PR, while subclass 491 provides a temporary visa with a clear route to PR after meeting residence and work requirements in the ACT.
• Access to Local Opportunities: Candidates can live, work, and study in Canberra, gaining access to a growing job market, excellent education facilities, and a strong local economy.
• Supportive Community and Settlement Assistance: ACT offers a welcoming community and various settlement support programs that help newcomers integrate smoothly.

Why Choose Nationwide Visas?

Choosing Nationwide Visas for a candidate’s ACT Skilled Migration Nomination means expert guidance every step of the way to migrate to Australia. Our MARA-registered consultants ensure that the applicant’s profile meets all ACT and visa requirements, maximizing the candidate’s Canberra Matrix score.

With transparent pricing, personalized strategies, and a high visa success rate, we simplify complex paperwork and deadlines. From eligibility checks to final visa approval, Nationwide Visas turns candidates’ Australian migration dream into a smooth, stress-free, and successful journey.