Last updated: 30 March 2026

ACT State Nomination: 190 and 491 Requirements

The Australian Capital Territory operates one of the most distinctive state nomination programmes in the country, built around the Canberra Matrix — a territory-specific ranking system that sits alongside the federal SkillSelect points test. ACT nomination primarily targets the subclass 190 state nominated visa, with strong preference given to skilled workers already living and contributing to Canberra’s economy. If you are considering the ACT as your pathway to permanent residency in Australia, understanding how the Canberra Matrix scores applications is the most important step you can take before lodging an Expression of Interest.

How Does ACT State Nomination Work?

ACT state nomination is administered by the ACT Government through the Migration and Settlement Office. Unlike states that invite applicants directly from the SkillSelect pool based on points scores alone, the ACT uses its own internal ranking system — the Canberra Matrix — to assess and prioritise candidates independently of the federal queue.

The process begins when you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the federal SkillSelect system. Separately, you complete an online profile on the ACT Government’s nomination portal so that the Migration and Settlement Office can calculate your Canberra Matrix score. The ACT does not run scheduled invitation rounds with fixed calendar dates. Instead, it reviews applications on a continuous basis and issues invitations when your occupation is open and your matrix score meets current thresholds.

Once the ACT decides to nominate you, they issue a formal invitation letter. You then have a specified window to lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. Nomination means the ACT is formally endorsing your application, and in accepting that nomination you take on an obligation to live and work in Canberra for at least two years following the grant of your visa.

The ACT focuses almost entirely on the 190 permanent visa pathway. A 491 stream technically exists, but it is used sparingly and seats are limited. For the vast majority of applicants, the 190 is the relevant target when engaging with the ACT programme.

What Occupations Does the ACT Nominate For?

The ACT publishes an occupation list identifying roles eligible for nomination in the territory. Not all occupations on the federal medium and long-term skilled occupation list are automatically open for ACT nomination — the territory maintains its own assessment of what Canberra’s labour market genuinely needs.

Canberra’s economy is shaped by the federal public service, defence and national security, higher education, and a growing private sector in technology and professional services. ACT nomination consistently favours occupations in these broad categories:

• Technology and ICT: Software engineers, cybersecurity analysts, ICT project managers, data analysts, and network professionals reflect strong demand from both government agencies and the private sector.
• Healthcare: Medical professionals, nursing roles, allied health practitioners, and specialist medical officers remain in demand as Canberra’s population grows.
• Engineering: Civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers are nominated regularly in line with infrastructure investment across the territory.
• Education: Secondary school teachers and other education professionals appear on the list, particularly in specialist subject areas with persistent shortages.
• Professional and business services: Accountants, auditors, and certain legal professionals feature during periods of elevated demand.

Occupations on the ACT Critical Skills List receive priority weighting in the Canberra Matrix ranking. Verify the current occupation list directly with the ACT Government before submitting an application, as availability shifts to reflect real-time workforce conditions.

What Are the ACT Nomination Requirements?

To be eligible for ACT state nomination, you must satisfy both the federal visa requirements and the ACT’s own criteria simultaneously.

Federal eligibility: You need a valid EOI in SkillSelect, a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority, and must meet the age, English language, and points thresholds for the visa subclass you are targeting. For the 190 visa, the minimum SkillSelect points score is 65 before the nomination points are counted.

Occupation eligibility: Your nominated occupation must appear on the ACT’s current occupation list at the time you apply. Occupations open and close as local labour market conditions change, sometimes with little notice.

Commitment to live and work in Canberra: You must genuinely intend to reside and work in the ACT for a minimum of two years following visa grant. The ACT takes this obligation seriously and monitors compliance through a post-arrival registration process. Providing false or misleading statements about your intentions is treated as a serious matter.

Canberra Matrix score: Your profile must rank competitively within the matrix. The minimum qualifying score is not publicly fixed — it shifts depending on the volume and quality of competing applications at any given point. This is what makes the ACT programme inherently dynamic.

Onshore preference: Offshore applicants may be considered, but the ACT strongly prioritises applicants already living and working in Canberra. Being onshore, with ACT employment or study history, significantly improves your matrix score and your probability of receiving an invitation.

How Do You Apply for ACT State Nomination?

The ACT nomination process runs across two parallel tracks — one through the federal SkillSelect system and one through the ACT Government’s own portal.

Step 1 — Confirm occupation eligibility: Before anything else, check whether your occupation is currently open on the ACT nomination list. Rely on the official ACT Government website rather than third-party sources, which may not reflect the most current status.

Step 2 — Submit an EOI in SkillSelect: Lodge your federal Expression of Interest through the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect system. Accuracy is important — discrepancies between your SkillSelect profile and your ACT matrix profile raise concerns during assessment.

Step 3 — Complete the ACT nomination profile: Register and complete your profile on the ACT Migration and Settlement Office portal. This is where your Canberra Matrix score is calculated. Support every claim with documentation: employment records, tenancy agreements, payslips, and qualification certificates.

Step 4 — Wait for a matrix-based invitation: The ACT reviews profiles on an ongoing basis. If your matrix score meets the current threshold for your occupation, you receive an invitation to proceed with a formal nomination application.

Step 5 — Lodge the formal nomination application: Submit your complete application with all supporting documents. The ACT conducts a final assessment before issuing a nomination letter.

Step 6 — Lodge your visa application: Once nominated, lodge your 190 visa application with the Department of Home Affairs within the timeframe specified in your invitation.

How Long Does ACT Nomination Processing Take?

ACT nomination processing times are not fixed. They depend on application volumes, occupation demand, and whether your documentation is complete and consistent.

In general terms, the ACT Migration and Settlement Office aims to assess nomination applications within four to six weeks from the point a complete submission is received. This timeline can extend if your application is flagged as complex, if supporting documents need further verification, or if there is a surge in applications for your occupation category.

The wait before receiving a matrix-based invitation is a separate consideration. You may remain in the queue for weeks or several months before the ACT reaches your profile, particularly if you are offshore or if your occupation has a large pool of competing candidates with higher matrix scores.

Once you receive a nomination, the Department of Home Affairs visa processing time adds another layer. Global processing for the 190 visa is currently averaging roughly six to twelve months, though individual cases vary based on nationality, case complexity, and the speed of health and character clearances.

Submitting a complete, well-documented application from the outset is the most reliable way to minimise delays. Requests for further information from either the ACT or the Department of Home Affairs are the most common source of extended timelines.

How Does the Canberra Matrix Points System Work?

The Canberra Matrix is the ACT’s proprietary ranking framework, and it functions entirely independently from the federal skilled migration points test. Your SkillSelect score determines federal eligibility; your matrix score determines how the ACT ranks you against other applicants competing for a limited number of nomination places.

The matrix assigns weighted points across several categories that reflect the ACT’s specific interest in attracting workers who will genuinely integrate into and stay in Canberra.

Canberra employment: This is the highest-weighted factor in the matrix. Applicants currently employed in Canberra, in a role directly aligned with their nominated occupation, receive substantially more points than those who are offshore or based in another state. Longer ACT employment history compounds the benefit over time.

ACT study: Completing a qualification at a registered Canberra education institution — particularly at degree level or above — contributes additional matrix points. This reflects the ACT Government’s stated goal of retaining skilled graduates from the University of Canberra, the Australian National University, and the territory’s TAFE system.

Critical Skills List priority: Occupations on the ACT Critical Skills List receive additional matrix weighting. If your occupation is on this list, you begin from a stronger starting position and are likely to reach invitation thresholds faster than applicants in non-priority roles.

English language proficiency: Scores above the minimum required threshold attract additional matrix points. Demonstrating superior English proficiency signals broader workplace productivity and is a straightforward area in which to differentiate your profile.

Spouse and partner qualifications: If your partner holds a relevant skills assessment and meets English requirements, their credentials can contribute additional matrix points to your joint profile. This is an often-overlooked category that can meaningfully improve your ranking.

Federal SkillSelect points score: Your SkillSelect score is incorporated into the matrix calculation, though it generally carries less relative weight than Canberra-specific factors. A high federal score alone will not compensate for a weak Canberra connection.

The ACT does not publish a fixed minimum matrix score for invitation, and effective thresholds shift as applicant volumes and available nomination places change. Applicants combining Canberra employment with a Critical Skills List occupation consistently occupy the most competitive positions in the ranking.

How Does the ACT Compare to Other States?

The ACT occupies a distinct position within Australia’s state nomination landscape, and a few direct comparisons are worth understanding before you commit to targeting the territory.

Canberra focus versus broader state access: The ACT is a small, self-contained territory. Unlike larger states such as Queensland or Western Australia, there is no regional spread — Canberra is both the capital and effectively the entire jurisdiction. This suits applicants who genuinely want to work and live in an urban, government-sector-influenced environment, but offers no flexibility if you prefer diverse location options within a state.

Matrix system versus open pool invitations: States like South Australia and Western Australia draw from the SkillSelect pool and invite applicants based on points scores. The ACT’s matrix means a high federal points score alone is insufficient — Canberra-based factors carry significant weight. An applicant with 70 federal points and no Canberra ties may rank lower than someone with 65 points and two years of established ACT employment.

190-only programme in practice: Most states offer meaningful access to both 190 and 491 nominations. The ACT’s near-exclusive focus on the 190 makes it primarily relevant to applicants seeking permanent residency directly, not those exploring the regional provisional visa as an intermediate step.

Lower overall volume: The ACT nominates fewer people than states such as New South Wales or Victoria. This means each nomination slot is more contested, particularly in popular occupations. The territory’s size also means its occupation list is narrower, which reduces the breadth of eligible roles.

Tips for a Successful ACT Application

Maximising your Canberra Matrix score is the clearest way to improve your position in the ACT queue. The following steps make the most practical difference.

Establish Canberra employment before applying: If you are currently offshore or based in another state, relocating to Canberra and securing employment in your nominated occupation before submitting your matrix profile produces the single largest improvement in your score. The matrix rewards this heavily, and it also demonstrates the territorial commitment the ACT is looking for.

Monitor the Critical Skills List actively: The list is updated periodically, and occupations move on and off it without extended notice. If your occupation appears, apply promptly. If it is not currently listed, check whether a related occupation code might qualify.

Aim for a higher English score than the minimum: If you are able to re-sit an English language test, targeting scores above the minimum threshold adds matrix points and distinguishes your profile in a competitive field.

Document every claim thoroughly: The ACT verifies supporting evidence carefully. Employment letters, payslips, tax records, lease agreements, and study transcripts all serve as substantiation. Incomplete or internally inconsistent documentation is a common reason for delays.

Include your partner’s qualifications: If your partner holds a relevant skills assessment and meets English requirements, include their details in your matrix profile. This is a straightforward way to add points that many applicants overlook entirely.

Keep your SkillSelect EOI current: Your federal EOI must reflect your situation accurately at all times. Discrepancies between your SkillSelect profile and your ACT portal submission raise flags during assessment and can slow the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Canberra Matrix?

The Canberra Matrix is the ACT’s own ranking system for skilled migration nominations. It assigns points based on factors including employment in Canberra, study in the ACT, English proficiency, and spouse or partner qualifications. It operates entirely separately from the federal SkillSelect points test. Your federal points score determines your eligibility for the 190 visa; your matrix score determines whether the ACT will nominate you ahead of competing applicants.

Does the ACT nominate for the 491 visa?

The ACT primarily uses the 190 visa for its nomination programme. The 491 stream is generally reserved for ACT residents who do not yet meet the 190 criteria, and the number of places available in that stream is limited. If you are specifically targeting the 491 pathway, other regional states offer much broader access and are likely more practical for most applicants.

Do you need to live in Canberra for ACT nomination?

Living in Canberra significantly strengthens your ACT nomination application. The Canberra Matrix gives substantially higher points to applicants who are already living and working in the ACT at the time of applying. Offshore applications are accepted, but they tend to score lower in the matrix, which makes receiving an invitation less likely in competitive occupation categories. Relocating to Canberra before submitting your profile is a practical way to improve your ranking position.

What is the ACT Critical Skills List?

The ACT Critical Skills List identifies occupations considered to be in high demand in the Canberra labour market at a given point in time. Occupations on this list receive additional priority weighting in the Canberra Matrix ranking system, which means candidates in those roles start from a stronger position when the ACT evaluates competing applications. The list is reviewed and updated by the ACT Government to reflect current and anticipated workforce gaps within the territory.

When Should You Get Professional Help?

ACT state nomination is more nuanced than most other state programmes because of the Canberra Matrix. For applicants who are offshore, not yet employed in Canberra, or working in an occupation that sits near the boundary of eligibility, the cost of misjudging the strategy is real — both in time and application fees.

Consider working with a registered migration agent if any of the following applies: your occupation is not clearly listed on the ACT’s current nomination list; your matrix score is uncertain and you are unsure whether relocating to Canberra would materially change the outcome; you have previously had a visa application refused or a skills assessment challenged; or your personal circumstances are complex, such as previous visa refusals, health conditions, or character considerations.

A registered migration agent cannot influence the ACT’s ranking decision, but they can help you understand whether your profile is genuinely competitive before you invest time and resources in an application. They can also identify whether a different state nomination pathway might offer a more direct route to the same outcome. Getting that clarity early avoids the frustration of waiting in a queue that your profile was never positioned to succeed in.