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  • 491 visa – ACT Canberra Small Business Owners Pathway

ACT Canberra Resident – Small Business Owner Pathway – 491 visa

ACT no longer provides a separate nomination stream specifically for Small Business Owners.

However, if you are operating a business in Canberra, you may still be eligible for ACT State Nomination for a Subclass 491 or 190 visa under the Canberra Resident Stream.

In this pathway, small business ownership is considered a form of employment, and applicants may claim points in the Canberra Matrix based on their business activity, subject to meeting all relevant criteria.

Canberra residents pathway (ACT 190 or 491 visa)

To follow this pathway, you must be living in Canberra. Read the eligibility criteria carefully. You cannot apply for ACT nomination if you do not meet the criteria:

  • ACT 491 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must be living and working in Canberra for at least three months.
  • ACT 190 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must be living and working in Canberra for at least six months.

You cannot apply under this pathway if you are living interstate or overseas; or if any dependents are living and / or working interstate.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Canberra Resident in ACT, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Important

If you, your spouse/ partner or children are living or working in another Australia state or territory, you are not eligible for ACT nomination.

If you want to apply for ACT nomination for a Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) as a Canberra resident, you must meet the following criteria at the date you submit the Canberra Matrix:

Canberra Resident (190 nomination) – effective on 1 February 2026

190 Nomination – Canberra Resident – Occupation

ACT Resident Pathway: you must meet one of the following:

  • Nominated Occupation – Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List;
  • Holder of 457/482 visa – You are the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer. You must have worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring ACT employer as the holder of a 457/482 visa for the last six months. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List.
  • Small Business Owner: You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List. The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.

Residence in Canberra:

You lived in Canberra for at least six months at date of Canberra Matrix submission and continue to do so until the date of invitation. Your bank statements / transaction history must record ACT banking activity for this period. You may also live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong.

190 Nomination – Canberra Resident – Employment Requirements

You worked in Canberra for at least 26 weeks. You can work for more than one employer, be self-employed, and/or be a Small Business Owner. Employment types can be combined, provided you meet the criteria for each and that you meet the overall hourly or earnings requirements as expressed below.

Employee: 

  1. Length of work – You worked a minimum of 30 hours per week in at least 26 out of the 30 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission. Your payslips and bank statements / transaction history must record the income / salary payments (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) for the claimed period of employment. You can work for more than one employer and/or be self-employed.
  2. Income (Salary) – You work in a genuine position in accordance with Australian terms and conditions of employment. Your weekly income is no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. Unpaid employment such as internships, stipends, scholarships, and volunteer positions, are not eligible.
  3. Employer statutory declaration – Your employer MUST declare that you are employed in a genuine position in accordance with Australian legislation. If you are working for a large organisation, the statutory declaration may be signed by your manager or direct supervisor
  4. ACT-based employment (interstate employer) – If you are working in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a genuine reason for why you are based in Canberra. You cannot be working online, or from a home office.

*30hrs pw × 26/30 wks + PS & BS + Award/MSR + Stat Dec + ACT-based work (no WFH)

Self-employed (and you are not claiming Matrix points as a Small Business Owner):

  1. Income – Your total (taxable) income was at least $1,175 pw in each of the 26 weeks immediately before you submit the Canberra Matrix.
  2. Length of ABN – You have at least 12 months ACT business activity on your ABN.
  3. Stat Dec – You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming the details of your business activity, including your ABN, location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties and annual income.

Small Business Owner:

  1. You are eligible to claim Canberra Matrix points in the Small Business Owner Category.
  2. You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming the details of your ACT Small Business activity, including your ABN, how many people you employ (and for how long), location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties and annual income.

190 Nomination – Canberra Resident – English Requirement

English: You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘Proficient’ or ‘Superior’ English unless your nominated occupation:

  • Is Chef 351311; or,
  • Has an ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5.

Your English test and Skill Assessment must be valid at date of Canberra Matrix submission and at date of ACT nomination.

190 Nomination – Commitment to Canberra

You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years from date of visa grant.

190 Nomination – Canberra Resident – Spouse / Partner

Residency – If you have a Spouse / Partner, they must be a resident in Canberra for at least six months or living overseas.

Evidence of relationship – To claim any Matrix points for your spouse or partner – you must have proof of the relationship: either a marriage certificate, civil partnership/union certificate, or VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) secondary applicant status for yourself or spouse/partner. The document must be dated before the Matrix is submitted. ACT do not accept a de facto relationship without a relationship certificate.

English (Partner) – When claiming Matrix points in the spouse / partner employment category, they must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian passport.

$300

If you want to apply for ACT nomination for a Skilled Regional Work (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) as a Canberra resident, you must meet the following criteria at the date you submit the Canberra Matrix:

Canberra Resident (491 nomination) – effective on 1 February 2026

ACT Resident Pathway:  you must meet one of the following:

Nominated Occupation – Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List;

Holder of 457/482 visa – You are the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer. You must have worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring ACT employer as the holder of a 457/482 visa for the last six months. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List.

Business Owner – You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category. Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List.

  • The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.

You lived in Canberra for at least three months at date of Canberra Matrix submission and continue to do so until the date of invitation.

Your bank statements / transaction history must record ACT banking activity for this period. You may also live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong.

You worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks. You can work for more than one employer, be self-employed, and/or be a Small Business
Owner.

Employment types can be combined, provided you meet the criteria for each and that you meet the overall hourly or earnings requirements as expressed below.

Employee:

  1. Length of employment – You worked a minimum of 15 hours per week in at least 13 out of the 15 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.  Your payslips and bank statements / transaction history must record the income / salary payments (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) for the claimed period of employment.
  2. Income (Salary) – You work in a genuine position in accordance with Australian terms and conditions of employment. Your weekly income is no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. Unpaid employment such as internships, stipends, scholarships, and volunteer positions, are not eligible.
  3. Employer statutory declaration – Your employer MUST declare that you are employed in a genuine position in accordance with Australian legislation. If you are working for a large organisation, the statutory declaration may be signed by your manager or direct supervisor
  4. ACT-based employment (interstate employer) – If you are working in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a genuine reason for why you are based in Canberra. You cannot be working online, or from a home office.

Self-employed (and you are not claiming Matrix points as a Small Business Owner):

1. Income – Your total (taxable) income is at least $610 pw in at least 13 out of the 15 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.
2. Length of ABN – You have at least 12 months ACT business activity on your ABN.
3. Stat Dec – You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming your ABN, location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties, and annual income.

Small Business Owner:

  1. You are eligible to claim Canberra Matrix points in the Small Business Owner Category.
  2. You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming the details of your ACT Small Business activity, including your ABN, how many people you employ (and for how long), location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties and annual income.

You meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘Competent’ English unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.

You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years from date of visa grant.

  1. Residency – If you have a Spouse / Partner, they must be a resident in Canberra for at least three months or living overseas.
  2. Evidence of relationship – To claim any Matrix points for your spouse or partner you must have proof of the relationship: either a marriage certificate, civil partnership/union certificate, or VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) secondary applicant status for yourself or spouse/partner. The document must be dated before the Matrix is submitted. ACT do not accept a de facto relationship without a relationship certificate.
  3. Partner English – When claiming Matrix points in the spouse / partner employment category, they must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian passport.

$300

Matrix Score (Canberra Residents) for Business Owner

Read the eligibility criteria for your chosen  ACT nomination pathway. Once you are satisfied that you meet the eligibility criteria you can register your interest in ACT nomination by completing the Canberra Matrix

The Canberra Matrix is completed for both ACT 190 nomination and ACT 491 nomination. Read the eligibility criteria for each Matrix category. You can only select one option in each category.  If you are satisfied that you meet the criteria, you can claim the Matrix points.

  • The business activity is in the ACT. Interstate / overseas business activity is not accepted
  • Your business is profitable.
  • Your business is paying you the following taxable income:
    • 190 nomination: at least $32,000 in the last six months.
    • 491 nomination: at least $16,000 in the last three months.
  • At date of Canberra Matrix submission, you are employing at least one Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen. Additionally, one employee must have been employed for at least 13 weeks at a minimum of 20 hours per week.
    • The employee’s employment does not have to be continuous.
    • The employment is in accordance with Australian legislation.
    • The employee is a 20 points – Your business has actively traded in Canberra for at least twelve months from the date you established or purchased the business. The business has a minimum turnover of at least $200,000 for the last twelve months business activity.

  • You worked a minimum 20 hours per week for each week claimed towards the period of employment.
  • If you are claiming any period of self-employment:
    • Your gross (taxable) weekly income must exceed $610 for each week of employment claimed; and
    • Your business must have been operating in Canberra for at least 12 months.

  • You worked a minimum 20 hours per week for the 13 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.
  • The employment was continuous unless you were on unpaid leave with a valid medical certificate. Any period of unpaid leave cannot be counted towards the 13 weeks employment.
  • Gross Taxable income:
    • Employee: no less than $31 per hour (excluding casual loading).
    • Small Business owner: minimum $16,000 income for last three months.
    • Self-employment on an ABN: minimum $610 per week.
  • Any employment claimed must be recorded on your

Spouse employability

  • Have a tertiary qualification (a trade certificate; a Bachelors degree; a Master’s degree or a PhD) from an Australian institution in any occupation; and
  • They meet the Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English or hold an Australian passport.

In addition:

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