The Department of Home Affairs allows the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government to nominate applicants for the following visa types:
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional) – Subclass 491
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Permanent) – Subclass 190
If you are interested in being considered by the ACT Government, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) visa SkillSelect. SkillSelect is the program administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
To view more detailed information regarding the ACT state nomination requirements, see our page on: ACT – Government Nomination Requirements.
ACT Canberra Matrix Invitation Round: 20 May 2025
As part of this invitation round there was a total of 183 x Sc 190 nominations issued and 4 x Sc 491 nominations issued. A breakdown of the invitations provided can be found below:
Canberra residents
Matrix nominating Small Business Owners
190 nominations: 3 x invitations (minimum matrix score 130)
491 nominations: nil invitations (minimum matrix score 120)
Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders
190 nominations: 42 x invitations
491 nominations: 4 x invitations
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 126 x invitations
491 nominations: nil invitations
Overseas applicants
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 12 x invitations
491 nominations: nil invitations
The remaining allocation for ACT in 2024/25:
Total allocation remaining: 166 nomination places out of a 1800 places
190 Nominations: 112 out of 100 places
491 Nominations: 54 out of 800 places
2024-2025 Allocation of ACT Nomination Places:
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 1000 places
- Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 800 places
Application Count @ 24 April 2025
Total approvals: 1358 approvals
- 190 Nominations: 694 approvals
- 491 Nominations: 664 approvals
Total refusals: 121 applications
- 190 Nominations: 61 refusals (8%)
- 491 Nominations: 60 refusals (8%)
Approvals by residency status since the last invitation round
- ACT Resident: 1194 approvals (88%)
- Overseas Resident: 164 approvals (12%)
Remaining Allocation 2024-2025
Total allocation remaining: 442 nomination places
- 190 Nominations: 306
- 491 Nominations: 136
Canberra Matrix
To apply for an ACT nomination, you must complete the Canberra Matrix. This is a means of ensuring the process is fair and equal. It selects applicants who will be most valuable to the Canberra region. To estimate your total score, you can use our Canberra Matrix Calculator.
Cost
To apply for the ACT Nomination, there is a non-refundable service fee of $300 which is charged for the processing of the applications. This is an administration charge only and does not guarantee an approval of the application for ACT nomination.
ACT Nomination Pathways & Requirements
The ACT Nomination Program has specific requirements depending on the nomination pathway you are applying for.
To view more detailed information regarding the nomination requirements, see our page on ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements (190 and 491 Visa).
ACT Critical Skills 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:
To determine whether your occupation is in high demand in the ACT, see our page on ACT Critical Skills List.
Related:
- Industries We Work With
- ACT – Skilled Visas for Medical Professionals
- ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Requirements (190 and 491 Visa)
- New Guidelines on the ACT’s 190 Nomination Program
- ACT Canberra Small Business Owner Pathway – 491 visa
- State requirements for 190 visa
- Canberra Matrix Points Calculator
- ACT Critical Skills List
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