Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Occupation List
ACT Migration Occupation list
Update (October 2026)
The list below is the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List published in October 2025 for the 2025-26 program year. For 2026-27, the ACT Government has said its list is being reviewed, with timing linked to its final nomination allocation, so check the ACT Government’s current list before you submit a Canberra Matrix. Tentative 2026-27 invitation rounds were set for the weeks starting 12 October 2026 (190 only), 25 January 2027, 22 March 2027 and 24 May 2027, and ACT nomination costs AUD 350 (excluding GST). See ACT nomination requirements and ACT invitation rounds.
For the 2025-26 program year, ACT updated the ACT Critical Skills list. The list was reduced from 152 ANZSCO 4-digit Unit Groups to 105. Additionally, the name of the list changed to ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation list (or the ACT Migration Occupation list for short) to better reflect the role of the list: determining eligibility for ACT nomination.
Before lodging an application for nomination, it is recommended that you obtain specific migration advice relevant to your circumstances from a Registered Migration Agent.
Related guides
- ACT Canberra Small Business Owner Pathway (491 visa)
- ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements (190 and 491 visa)
- State requirements for 190 visa
- Canberra Matrix Points Calculator
- ACT invitation rounds
- 190 visa and 491 visa
- Australian migration news (October 2026)
- Book a consultation
About the ACT Occupation List
The ACT Occupation List identifies the skills that are currently in demand in Canberra (for migration purposes). The ACT Occupation List is used to determine the eligibility for ACT support of the following programs:
- Skilled Visas: ACT nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa or a Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa.
- Employer Nomination: Regional Certifying Body support of an employer nomination for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa, which replaced the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) in November 2019.
Skilled Visa Applicants
The ACT Occupation List determines if the occupation is available for ACT nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa. To determine your eligibility for ACT nomination you must read the ‘Guidelines for applying for ACT nomination’ and make sure that you meet the nomination criteria.
Employer Sponsored Nomination
Employers seeking to nominate skilled workers for a 494 visa (which replaced the RSMS) must seek the support of the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) before the nomination can be assessed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Applying for Regional Certifying Body (RCB) support
As part of the application for RCB support, employers must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled from the local labour market.
- If the nominated occupation has a status of open on the ACT Occupation List, the application for RCB support is deemed to meet this criterion.
- If the nominated occupation has a status of ‘closed’, or is not listed on the ACT Occupation List, the application for RCB support does not meet this criterion. You should refer to the RCB guidelines for other pathways to demonstrate that the position cannot be filled from the local labour market.
ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (October 2025)
|
ANZSCO Unit Group |
Unit Group Code |
ANZSCO Code |
NOMINATED OCCUPATION |
| Construction Managers | 1331 | 133111 | construction project manager |
| 133112 | project builder (491 Only) | ||
| Engineering Managers | 1332 | 133211 | engineering manager |
| Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers | 1336 | 133611 | supply and distribution manager |
| 133612 | procurement manager (491 Only) | ||
| Child Care Centre Managers | 1341 | 134111 | child care centre manager |
|
Health and Welfare Services |
1342 |
134211 | medical administrator |
| 134212 | nursing clinical director | ||
| 134213 | primary health organisation manager | ||
| 134214 | welfare centre manager | ||
| 134299 | health and welfare services managers (nec) | ||
| ICT Managers | 1351 | 135112 | ICT project manager |
| 135199 | ICT managers (nec) | ||
|
Other Specialist Managers |
1399 |
139911 | arts administrator or manager |
| 139912 | environmental manager | ||
| 139913 | laboratory manager | ||
| 139914 | quality assurance manager | ||
| 139915 | sports administrator (491 Only) | ||
| 139999 | specialist managers (nec) | ||
| Cafe and Restaurant Managers | 1411 | 141111 | cafe or restaurant manager |
| Hotel and Motel Managers | 1413 | 141311 | hotel or motel manager |
|
Accountants |
2211 |
221111 | accountant (general) |
| 221112 | management accountant | ||
| 221113 | taxation accountant | ||
| Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers |
2212 |
221211 | company secretary |
| 221213 | external auditor | ||
| 221214 | internal auditor | ||
| Archivists, Curators and Records
Managers |
2242 | 224213 | health information manager |
| Architects and Landscape
Architects |
2321 | 232111 | architect |
| 232112 | landscape architect | ||
| Surveyors and Spatial Scientists | 2322 | 232212 | surveyor |
| Urban and Regional Planners | 2326 | 232611 | urban and regional planner |
|
Civil Engineering Professionals |
2332 |
233211 | civil engineer |
| 233212 | geotechnical engineer | ||
| 233213 | quantity surveyor | ||
| 233214 | structural engineer | ||
| 233215 | transport engineer | ||
| Electrical Engineers | 2333 | 233311 | electrical engineer |
| Electronics Engineers | 2334 | 233411 | electronics engineer |
| Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers | 2335 | 233511 | industrial engineer |
| 233512 | mechanical engineer |
| 233513 | production or plant engineer | ||
|
Other Engineering Professionals |
2339 |
233911 | aeronautical engineer |
| 233912 | agricultural engineer | ||
| 233913 | biomedical engineer | ||
| 233914 | engineering technologist | ||
| 233915 | environmental engineer | ||
| 233916 | naval architect | ||
| 233999 | engineering professionals (nec) | ||
|
Environmental Scientists |
2343 |
234311 | conservation officer (491 Only) |
| 234312 | environmental consultant | ||
| 234313 | environmental research scientist | ||
| 234399 | environmental scientist (nec) | ||
| Life Scientists | 2345 | 234511 | life scientist (general) |
| 234599 | life scientists (nec) | ||
| Medical Laboratory Scientists | 2346 | 234611 | medical laboratory scientist |
| Veterinarians | 2347 | 234711 | veterinarian |
| Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals |
2349 |
234914 | physicist |
| 234999 | natural and physical science professionals
(nec) |
||
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 2411 | 241111 | early childhood (pre-primary school)
teacher |
| Primary School Teachers | 2412 | 241213 | primary school teacher |
| Middle School Teachers \
Intermediate School Teachers |
2413 | 241311 | middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ) |
| Secondary School Teachers | 2414 | 241411 | secondary school teacher |
| Vocational Education Teachers \
Polytechnic Teachers |
2422 | 242211 | vocational education teacher (491 Only) |
|
Special Education Teachers |
2415 |
241511 | special needs teacher |
| 241512 | teacher of the hearing impaired | ||
| 241513 | teacher of the sight impaired | ||
| 241599 | special education teachers (nec) | ||
| Nutrition Professionals | 2511 | 251111 | dietitian |
| 251112 | nutritionist | ||
|
Medical Imaging Professionals |
2512 |
251211 | medical diagnostic radiographer |
| 251212 | medical radiation therapist | ||
| 251213 | nuclear medicine technologist | ||
| 251214 | sonographer | ||
| Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals | 2513 | 251311 | environmental health officer (491 Only) |
| 251312 | occupational health and safety adviser | ||
| Optometrists and Orthoptists | 2514 | 251411 | optometrist |
| 251412 | orthoptist | ||
|
Pharmacists |
2515 |
251511 | hospital pharmacist |
| 251512 | industrial pharmacist | ||
| 251513 | retail pharmacist | ||
| 2519 | 251911 | health promotion officer |
| Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals | 251912 | orthotist or prosthetist | |
| 251999 | health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec) | ||
| Chiropractors and Osteopaths | 2521 | 252111 | chiropractor |
| 252112 | osteopath | ||
|
Complementary Health Therapists |
2522 |
252211 | acupuncturist |
| 252213 | naturopath | ||
| 252214 | traditional Chinese medicine practitioner | ||
| 252299 | complementary health therapists (nec) | ||
| Dental Practitioners | 2523 | 252311 | dental specialist |
| 252312 | dentist (491 Only) | ||
| Occupational Therapists | 2524 | 252411 | occupational therapist |
| Physiotherapists | 2525 | 252511 | physiotherapist |
| Podiatrists | 2526 | 252611 | podiatrist |
| Audiologists and Speech Pathologists \ Therapists | 2527 | 252711 | audiologist |
| 252712 | speech pathologist | ||
| General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers | 2531 | 253111 | general practitioner |
| 253112 | resident medical officer | ||
| Anaesthetists | 2532 | 253211 | anaesthetist (491 Only) |
|
Specialist Physicians |
2533 |
253311 | specialist physician (general medicine) |
| 253312 | cardiologist | ||
| 253313 | clinical haematologist | ||
| 253314 | medical oncologist | ||
| 253315 | endocrinologist | ||
| 253316 | gastroenterologist | ||
| 253317 | intensive care specialist | ||
| 253318 | neurologist | ||
| 253321 | paediatrician | ||
| 253322 | renal medicine specialist | ||
| 253323 | rheumatologist | ||
| 253324 | thoracic medicine specialist | ||
| 253399 | specialist physicians (nec) | ||
| Psychiatrists | 2534 | 253411 | psychiatrist |
|
Surgeons |
2535 |
253511 | surgeon (general) |
| 253512 | cardiothoracic surgeon | ||
| 253513 | neurosurgeon | ||
| 253514 | orthopaedic surgeon | ||
| 253515 | otorhinolaryngologist | ||
| 253516 | paediatric surgeon | ||
| 253517 | plastic and reconstructive surgeon | ||
| 253518 | urologist | ||
| 253521 | vascular surgeon | ||
|
Other Medical Practitioners |
2539 |
253911 | dermatologist |
| 253912 | emergency medicine specialist | ||
| 253913 | obstetrician and gynaecologist |
| 253914 | ophthalmologist | ||
| 253915 | pathologist | ||
| 253917 | diagnostic and interventional radiologist | ||
| 253918 | radiation oncologist | ||
| 253999 | medical practitioners (nec) | ||
| Midwives | 2541 | 254111 | midwife |
| Nurse Educators and Researchers | 2542 | 254211 | nurse educator |
| 254212 | nurse researcher | ||
| Nurse Managers | 2543 | 254311 | nurse manager |
|
Registered Nurses |
2544 |
254411 | nurse practitioner |
| 254412 | registered nurse (aged care) | ||
| 254413 | registered nurse (child and family health) | ||
| 254414 | registered nurse (community health) | ||
| 254415 | registered nurse (critical care and emergency) | ||
| 254416 | registered nurse (developmental disability) | ||
| 254417 | registered nurse (disability and
rehabilitation) |
||
| 254418 | registered nurse (medical) | ||
| 254421 | registered nurse (medical practice) | ||
| 254422 | registered nurse (mental health) | ||
| 254423 | registered nurse (perioperative) | ||
| 254424 | registered nurse (surgical) | ||
| 254425 | registered nurse (paediatrics) | ||
| 254499 | registered nurses (nec) | ||
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 2611 | 261111 | ICT business analyst |
| 261112 | systems analyst | ||
|
Software and Applications Programmers |
2613 |
261311 | analyst programmer |
| 261312 | developer programmer | ||
| 261313 | software engineer | ||
| 261314 | software tester | ||
| 261399 | software and applications programmers
(nec) |
||
| Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists |
2621 |
262111 | database administrator |
| 262112 | ICT security specialist | ||
| 262113 | systems administrator | ||
|
Computer Network Professionals |
2631 |
263111 | computer network and systems engineer |
| 263112 | network administrator | ||
| 263113 | network analyst | ||
|
ICT Support and Test Engineers |
2632 |
263211 | ICT quality assurance engineer |
| 263212 | ICT support engineer | ||
| 263213 | ICT systems test engineer | ||
| 263299 | ICT support and test engineers (nec) | ||
| Telecommunications Engineering Professionals | 2633 | 263311 | telecommunications engineer |
| 263312 | telecommunications network engineer | ||
| Solicitors | 2713 | 271311 | solicitor |
|
Counsellors |
2721 |
272111 | careers counsellor |
| 272112 | drug and alcohol counsellor | ||
| 272113 | family and marriage counsellor | ||
| 272114 | rehabilitation counsellor | ||
| 272115 | student counsellor | ||
| 272199 | counsellors (nec) | ||
|
Psychologists |
2723 |
272311 | clinical psychologist |
| 272312 | educational psychologist | ||
| 272313 | organisational psychologist | ||
| 272314 | psychotherapist | ||
| 272399 | psychologists (nec) | ||
| Social Workers | 2725 | 272511 | social worker |
| Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers |
2726 |
272611 | community arts worker (491 Only) |
| 272612 | recreation officer | ||
| 272613 | welfare worker | ||
|
Medical Technicians |
3112 |
311211 | anaesthetic technician |
| 311212 | cardiac technician | ||
| 311213 | medical laboratory technician | ||
| 311214 | operating theatre technician (491 Only) | ||
| 311215 | pharmacy technician | ||
| 311216 | pathology collector (491 Only) | ||
| 311299 | medical technicians (nec) | ||
|
Science Technicians |
3114 |
311411 | chemistry technician |
| 311412 | earth science technician | ||
| 311413 | life science technician | ||
| 311499 | science technicians (nec) | ||
|
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians |
3121 |
312111 | architectural draftsperson |
| 312113 | building inspector | ||
| 312114 | construction estimator (491 Only) | ||
| 312116 | surveying or spatial science technician (491
Only) |
||
| 312199 | architectural, building and surveying technicians (nec) | ||
| Civil Engineering Draftspersons and
Technicians |
3122 | 312211 | civil engineering draftsperson |
| 312212 | civil engineering technician | ||
| Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians | 3123 | 312311 | electrical engineering draftsperson |
| 312312 | electrical engineering technician | ||
| Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians | 3125 | 312511 | mechanical engineering draftsperson |
| 312512 | mechanical engineering technician | ||
|
Other Building and Engineering Technicians |
3129 |
312911 | maintenance planner (491 Only) |
| 312912 | metallurgical or materials technician | ||
| 312999 | building and engineering technicians (nec) (491 Only) | ||
|
ICT Support Technicians |
3131 |
313111 | hardware technician |
| 313112 | ICT customer support officer | ||
| 313113 | web administrator |
| 313199 | ICT support technicians (nec) | ||
|
Telecommunications Technical Specialists |
3132 |
313211 | radio communications technician |
| 313212 | telecommunications field engineer | ||
| 313213 | telecommunications network planner | ||
| 313214 | telecommunications technical officer or
technologist |
||
| Automotive Electricians | 3211 | 321111 | automotive electrician |
|
Motor Mechanics |
3212 |
321211 | motor mechanic (general) |
| 321212 | diesel motor mechanic | ||
| 321213 | motorcycle mechanic | ||
| 321214 | small engine mechanic | ||
|
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers |
3231 |
323111 | aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics) |
| 323112 | aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical) | ||
| 323113 | aircraft maintenance engineer | ||
|
Metal Fitters and Machinists |
3232 |
323211 | fitter (general) |
| 323212 | fitter and turner | ||
| 323213 | fitter-welder | ||
| 323214 | metal machinist (first class) | ||
| 323299 | metal fitters and machinists (nec) | ||
| Precision Metal Trades Workers | 3233 | 323313 | locksmith |
| 323314 | precision instrument maker and repairer | ||
| Panelbeaters | 3241 | 324111 | panelbeater |
| Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers | 3242 | 324211 | vehicle body builder |
| 324212 | vehicle trimmer | ||
| Vehicle Painters | 3243 | 324311 | vehicle painter (491 Only) |
| Bricklayers and Stonemasons | 3311 | 331111 | bricklayer |
| 331112 | stonemason | ||
|
Carpenters and Joiners |
3312 |
331211 | carpenter and joiner |
| 331212 | carpenter | ||
| 331213 | joiner | ||
| Floor Finishers | 3321 | 332111 | floor finisher (491 Only) |
| Painting Trades Workers | 3322 | 332211 | painting trades worker |
| Glaziers | 3331 | 333111 | glazier |
| Plasterers | 3332 | 333211 | fibrous plasterer |
| 333212 | solid plasterer | ||
| Roof Tilers | 3333 | 333311 | roof tiler |
| Wall and Floor Tilers | 3334 | 333411 | wall and floor tiler |
|
Plumbers |
3341 |
334111 | plumber (general) |
| 334112 | airconditioning and mechanical services plumber | ||
| 334113 | drainer | ||
| 334114 | gasfitter | ||
| 334115 | roof plumber | ||
| Electricians | 3411 | 341111 | electrician (general) |
| 341112 | electrician (special class) |
| 341113 | lift mechanic | ||
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration
Mechanics |
3421 | 342111 | airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic |
| Electrical Distribution Trades Workers | 3422 | 342211 | electrical linesworker (491 Only) |
| 342212 | technical cable jointer | ||
| Telecommunications Trades Workers | 3424 | 342411 | cabler (data and telecommunications) |
| 342413 | telecommunications linesworker | ||
| Butchers and Smallgoods Makers | 3512 | 351211 | butcher or smallgoods maker |
| Chefs | 3513 | 351311 | chef |
| Cook | 3514 | 351411 | cook |
| Veterinary Nurses | 3613 | 361311 | veterinary nurse |
| Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | 4111 | 411111 | ambulance officer |
| 411112 | intensive care ambulance paramedic | ||
| Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists |
4112 |
411211 | dental hygienist (491 Only) |
| 411213 | dental technician | ||
| 411214 | dental therapist (491 Only) | ||
| Diversional Therapist | 4113 | 411311 | diversional therapist |
| Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses | 4114 | 411411 | enrolled nurse |
|
Welfare Support Workers |
4117 |
411711 | community worker |
| 411712 | disabilities services officer | ||
| 411713 | family support worker | ||
| 411715 | residential care officer | ||
| 411716 | youth worker | ||
| Contract, Program and Project Administrators | 5111 | 511111 | contract administrator |
| 511112 | program or project administrator |
ACT occupation list FAQs
Is my occupation on the ACT list enough to get nomination?
No. Being on the list only makes you eligible to submit a Canberra Matrix. You must also meet the ACT nomination guidelines for your stream (Canberra residents, overseas applicants or other pathways) and be invited in an invitation round.
What does (491 Only) mean on the list?
Occupations marked 491 Only can be nominated for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, not the 190 visa. The rest of the list can be considered for both, depending on your stream.
How does the Canberra Matrix work?
You submit a Canberra Matrix with points for factors such as your ACT residence and employment, and invitations are issued in rounds to the highest ranked candidates. A Matrix submission is valid for 6 months and can be extended to 12 months if you update it before it expires. Try our Canberra Matrix calculator.
When will the 2026-27 ACT list be published?
As at October 2026 the ACT Government had said its 2026-27 list was under review and would be confirmed once its nomination allocation was finalised. Check the ACT Government website and our migration news for the latest list.
Book a meeting for a commitment free briefing with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.
Other State Skilled Occupations lists for 190 visa and 491 state nominated visa
Select a state below to see its requirements:
Australia
State and territory requirements
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.
More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.
