Information current as at October 2026.
ACT Skilled Visas for Medical Professionals
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) for Medical Professionals
This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. To find out if you are eligible and the process for the visa, please refer to our Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (Points-Tested) Stream page.
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Visas for Medical Professionals
Unlike the 189 visa, both 190 and 491 visas require skilled workers to be nominated by a state or territory government. The main difference between these two visas is that the 491 visa is a temporary visa (5 year validity). 491 visa holders have a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa after living and working in a designated regional area for at least 3 years and meeting the minimum taxable income requirement. For more information, please visit our Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) page.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT nomination for health and medical professionals in 2026-27
The ACT nominates skilled workers for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). All of the ACT, including Canberra, is a designated regional area for the 491 and 494 visas. The position as at October 2026 is:
- Program status: the ACT’s 2026-27 allocation of nomination places had not been confirmed by the Australian Government. In 2025-26 the ACT had 800 places for the 190 and 800 for the 491, and all were used by 30 June 2026.
- First 2026-27 round: the ACT held its first invitation round on 12 October 2026, for the 190 only, and issued no 491 invitations. The remaining tentative round dates are the weeks starting 25 January 2027, 22 March 2027 and 24 May 2027. The ACT says these dates may change without notice.
- Criteria and occupation list: the ACT had not yet published new 2026-27 criteria or a new occupation list. The criteria and list below are the most recent published settings, for 2025-26, and the ACT may change them when the 2026-27 settings are released.
The ACT selects candidates using its own ranking system, the Canberra Matrix. Healthcare is one of the ACT’s critical sectors, along with education, social assistance, construction and IT, and these sectors may be prioritised in ranking. The 2021-22 ACT Critical Skills List and criteria shown on this page previously no longer apply. For the full ACT criteria for all occupations, see our ACT State Nomination page.
Canberra resident applicants (2025-26 criteria, the most recent published)
Subclass 190
- Residence: you have lived in Canberra for at least six months at the date you submit your Canberra Matrix.
- Employment: you have worked in Canberra for at least 26 weeks, with at least 30 hours a week in at least 26 of the 30 weeks before you submit your Matrix.
- Occupation: your nominated occupation is on the current ACT occupation list and eligible for the 190.
- Commitment: you sign a declaration that you will live and work in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years after grant.
Subclass 491
- Residence: you have lived in Canberra for at least three months at the date you submit your Canberra Matrix.
- Employment: you have worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks, with at least 15 hours a week in at least 13 of the 15 weeks before you submit your Matrix.
- Commitment: the same two year live and work declaration applies.
In the 12 October 2026 round, as reported by migration agencies, 126 Canberra residents in critical skill occupations were invited. Most medical and allied health occupations needed a minimum Matrix score of 65 for Canberra residents, while registered nurses needed 115.
Health and medical occupations: ACT occupation list and federal lists
The ACT’s occupation list is now called the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (formerly the ACT Critical Skills List). The table shows common health and medical occupations, their status on the ACT list published 10 October 2025 (the most recent published list, as the 2026-27 list was still being finalised in October 2026), and whether each is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL, used for the 189 and also eligible for the 190 and 491) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL, used for the 482 Skills in Demand visa Core Skills stream and the 186 Direct Entry stream).
| Occupation (ANZSCO code) | ACT list (October 2025) | MLTSSL | CSOL |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer (251211) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Sonographer (251214) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Pharmacist (251511) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Retail Pharmacist (251513) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Dental Specialist (252311) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Dentist (252312) | 491 only | No | Yes |
| Occupational Therapist (252411) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Physiotherapist (252511) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Podiatrist (252611) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Audiologist (252711) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Speech Pathologist (252712) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| General Practitioner (253111) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Resident Medical Officer (253112) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Anaesthetist (253211) | 491 only | No | Yes |
| Specialist physicians (2533), for example General Medicine (253311) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Psychiatrist (253411) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Surgeons (2535), for example Surgeon (General) (253511) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist (253912) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Medical Practitioners nec (253999) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Midwife (254111) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Nurse Educator (254211) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Nurse Manager (254311) | 190 and 491 | No | No |
| Nurse Practitioner (254411) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) (254413) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) (254414) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) (254416) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) (254417) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) (254421) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) (254424) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) (254425) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse nec (254499) | 190 and 491 | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical Psychologist (272311) | Check the current list | Yes | Yes |
| Educational Psychologist (272312) | Check the current list | Yes | Yes |
| Organisational Psychologist (272313) | Check the current list | Yes | Yes |
| Psychotherapist (272314) | Check the current list | No | Yes |
| Psychologists nec (272399) | Check the current list | Yes | Yes |
| Ambulance Officer (411111) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Dental Hygienist (411211) | 491 only | No | Yes |
| Dental Technician (411213) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
| Enrolled Nurse (411411) | 190 and 491 | No | Yes |
The ACT list published in October 2025 also includes most other medical imaging, pharmacy, optometry, nutrition, specialist medical and surgical occupations, medical technicians and health managers. Occupations not on the MLTSSL may still be eligible for state nomination through the Short-term Skilled Occupation List or the Regional Occupation List. Check the ACT’s current list before you submit a Matrix, as the 2026-27 list may differ. See also our Core Skills Occupation List page.
Sources: ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List published 10 October 2025, as reported by migration agencies, checked October 2026; MLTSSL from the Migration (Specification of Occupations) instrument, compilation dated 14 December 2024; CSOL from the subclass 482 occupation instrument, compilation dated 7 November 2025.
Priority processing for health occupations
Healthcare is one of the ACT’s critical sectors for nomination ranking, and it is also a federal processing priority. Under Ministerial Direction 121 (for the 482 visa) and Ministerial Direction 122 (for the 186, 189, 190, 191, 491, 494 and other skilled visas), which took effect on 19 September 2026 and replaced Direction 119, applications for occupations in the priority sectors (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources) and for law enforcement and defence interests are placed in the highest processing tier. Healthcare is defined by ANZSCO codes and includes all Health Professionals (sub-major group 25) and Health and Welfare Support Workers (minor group 411). A health applicant is in the top tier whether they apply in or outside Australia. Priority processing does not guarantee a particular processing time or a visa grant.
Employer sponsored options for health workers in the ACT
If you have a job offer from Canberra Health Services, a private hospital, a clinic or an aged care provider, employer sponsorship can be faster and more certain than waiting for an ACT invitation. The main options are:
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024. An ACT employer approved as a Standard Business Sponsor nominates you for a position, and the visa can be granted for up to 4 years.
- Core Skills stream: your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (most nursing, medical and allied health occupations are, see the table above) and the salary must be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold, which is $79,423 from 1 July 2026, and no less than the market salary rate.
- Specialist Skills stream: for highly paid roles, such as many specialist doctors, with earnings of at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $146,576 from 1 July 2026.
- You generally need at least one year of relevant work experience, and you must hold the registration needed to work in your occupation (AHPRA registration for registered health professions).
- Healthcare occupations are in the top processing tier under Ministerial Direction 121.
- After two years of work with your sponsor (time with any approved sponsor on a 482 can count), you can generally apply for permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
The 186 visa is a permanent employer sponsored visa.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: for 482 (and former 457 or TSS) holders who have worked for their sponsor for the required period, usually two years.
- Direct Entry stream: for people who have not worked in Australia on a 482, or who are moving directly to permanent residence. Since 7 December 2024 the occupation must generally be on the Core Skills Occupation List, and you usually need a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience.
- You generally need to be under 45 when you apply. Some exemptions apply, including for certain medical practitioners and high income earners.
- Healthcare occupations are in the top processing tier under Ministerial Direction 122.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Because the whole ACT is a designated regional area, Canberra employers can sponsor health workers on the 494 visa. It is a five year provisional visa. You usually need a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience, and you must be under 45 unless an exemption applies. After three years living and working in regional Australia and meeting the income requirement, you can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191. The ACT does not have a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
Doctors: Medicare and provider numbers
Health Workforce Certificates are no longer required for employer sponsored nominations (the requirement was removed on 16 September 2023). Overseas trained doctors who want to bill Medicare generally need to work in a Distribution Priority Area or meet another exemption. See our guide for medical practice and hospital sponsors.
AHPRA registration: a key step for health professionals
Whichever visa you choose, you will need to be registered to practise in Australia if your profession is regulated. Registration is managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Board for your profession, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Board, the Medical Board, the Physiotherapy Board or the Psychology Board. Registration is separate from your migration skills assessment, and it usually takes the longest, so start early. For Canberra resident applicants, working in your profession in Canberra (which requires registration) is also what qualifies you for the ACT’s employment criteria.
- Check your registration pathway: doctors may be assessed through the standard pathway, the competent authority pathway or a specialist pathway (including the expedited specialist pathway for some specialists trained in comparable countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand). Nurses and midwives are assessed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board against its requirements for internationally qualified nurses and midwives.
- Meet the English standard: the National Boards set their own English requirements, which are usually higher than the Competent English needed for the visa.
- Obtain your skills assessment for migration: for example ANMAC for nurses and midwives, the Medical Board of Australia for medical practitioners, the Australian Physiotherapy Council, the Occupational Therapy Council, the Australian Pharmacy Council, the Australian Dental Council or the Australian Psychological Society.
- Keep your details consistent: the occupation in your EOI, Canberra Matrix, skills assessment, registration and employment contract should line up.
Read more in our guide to International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia.
Has the ACT published its 2026-27 criteria?
Not in full as at October 2026. The ACT’s 2026-27 allocation had not been confirmed and its new occupation list was still being finalised, although the first 2026-27 round for the 190 was held on 12 October 2026. This page uses the 2025-26 criteria and the October 2025 occupation list, which were the most recent published settings.
Do overseas nurses need a job offer for ACT nomination?
Under the 2025-26 criteria, overseas applicants did not need a Canberra job offer, but they needed an occupation on the ACT list, at least three years of recent full time experience (one year for the 491), and Proficient or Superior English for the 190. The old 2021-22 requirement for a job offer from a large Canberra employer no longer applies.
Is Canberra regional for the 491 and 494?
Yes. The whole of the ACT is a designated regional area, so you can live and work in Canberra on a 491 or 494 visa and count that time towards the 191 permanent visa.
What Matrix score do health professionals need?
There is no fixed pass mark. In the 12 October 2026 round, as reported by migration agencies, most medical and allied health occupations needed 65 for Canberra residents and 80 for overseas applicants, while registered nurses needed 115 as Canberra residents and 80 from overseas. Scores change from round to round.
How long do I have to apply after an ACT invitation?
14 days to submit your nomination application and pay the fee. If nominated, you then have 60 days to lodge your visa application with Home Affairs.
Are health occupations processed faster?
Healthcare is in the top processing tier under Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, which took effect on 19 September 2026. This applies to visa applications lodged with Home Affairs. It does not guarantee a set processing time.
Previous criteria (2021-22)
This image shows the ACT 2021-22 two year commitment requirement for medical professionals. The 2021-22 criteria no longer apply; see the current criteria above.
Jamie Lim
Jamie is an Australian Regulated Migration Advisor (RMA 1799460). Jamie has extensive immigration services experience across multiple visa subclasses and specialises in employer sponsored visas. He has a wide range of experience in corporate migration, including employer-sponsored visas and immigration compliance, and has managed small to large multinational corporate clients. Jamie also has specific experience with medical professionals, skills assessments, state sponsorships as well as partner visas. Book a time with Jamie here.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University. Jamie speaks Mandarin Chinese as a second language.
His specialities include but not limited to:
Related guides
- Industries We Work With: Health
- Employer Sponsored Visas Comparison for Registered Nurses
- Health Practitioners: Visa Options to Travel and Work in Australia
- International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia
- Medical Practice and Hospital Sponsors Visa Options for Overseas Trained Medical Professionals
- Registered Nurse Pathway to PR
- ACT state nomination requirements
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
- Visa options for medical professionals
- Book a video consultation
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