State nomination · Australian Capital Territory
How the Canberra Matrix Score Works — ACT Subclass 190 & 491 Nomination
If Canberra is your target, Subclass 190 gives you permanent residency from day of grant — and Subclass 491 offers a pathway to PR after three years, with the same access to Canberra's strong government, technology, and professional services job market.
How does ACT nomination work?
The ACT ranks you on its own Canberra Matrix, not on your federal points. You lodge a SkillSelect EOI, then submit a Matrix. You can update or withdraw it at any time before an invitation; it lapses after six months unless updated (12 months maximum), and the ACT offers one nomination place per person.
Key facts
- Your Matrix score decides it, not your federal points. A 90-point federal score with a weak Matrix loses to a 65-point score with a strong one.
- One nomination place per person. It is engaged once you are successfully nominated; the ACT keeps a discretionary exception process for exceptional circumstances. If the visa is refused after nomination, the place is not returned.
- You can update or withdraw the Matrix at any time before an invitation is issued, at no charge. An update resets your submission date (ACT nomination guidelines, July 2026).
- It lapses after six months if no invitation is issued and no update is made — an update extends it by six months, to a maximum of 12 months from original submission. On equal scores the ACT may select by submission date and time, so an update can cost queue position.
- 491 submissions are ranked first in every round. Your 190 Matrix is not ranked at all if a 491 invitation is already active.
- Doctorate holders from an ACT university are invited in every round the ACT can run — "except when it is not possible to nominate your SkillSelect EOI, for example when the allocation is reached". A Canberra Matrix must still be submitted; no score threshold applies. The only pathway of its kind in Australia.
- Overseas applicants cannot be onshore anywhere in Australia, on any visa. Children enrolled in an ACT school are the only exception.
- Fourteen days after invitation, absolute — application and fee within the window.
Unlike every other state and territory, the ACT does not use a standard Registration of Interest system. Instead, it uses the Canberra Matrix — a scored, merit-based ranking tool that weighs your economic contribution and genuine commitment to Canberra.
The Canberra Matrix is where most ACT applications succeed or fail. Your Matrix score — not your federal points score — determines whether you receive an invitation. ACT residents are ranked separately from overseas applicants, and 491 submissions are always ranked first. One nomination place per person, engaged once you are successfully nominated (the ACT keeps a discretionary exception process). Once you are nominated, that place cannot be returned to the pool. The ACT treats each nomination as a long-term commitment — and it expects applicants to do the same.
Is the ACT open right now?
Programme status changes during the year and is not held on this page. Allocations, recent invitation rounds and the Matrix cut-off scores by occupation are tracked in one place, with the date each state was last checked: state nomination status — all eight states.
Two structural points hold whatever the status says. ACT round dates are never pre-announced — they run through the financial year at operational discretion, so there is no date to wait for. And the ACT publishes the actual cut-off scores from each round by occupation, which is the only reliable way to judge whether your Matrix is competitive before you submit.
Quick Visa Facts — ACT
| Criteria | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent residency | Provisional (5 yrs) → PR via Subclass 191 |
| Minimum federal points | 65 total (60 base + 5 nomination) | 65 total (50 base + 15 nomination) |
| ACT selection system | Canberra Matrix — scored ranking, not standard ROI | Canberra Matrix — 491 submissions ranked first per round |
| Age | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply (Home Affairs, Sch 1 item 1229) — not at nomination | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply (Home Affairs, Sch 1 item 1241) — not at nomination |
| English — Canberra residents | Proficient or Superior English required, unless your occupation is Chef 351311 or has an ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5 | Competent English minimum |
| English — overseas applicants | Proficient or Superior English, unless your occupation is Chef 351311 or has an ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5 (act.gov.au overseas 190 criteria) | Competent English minimum |
| Occupation requirement | Must be on ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List — OR small business owner claiming Matrix points | Must be on ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List — OR small business owner |
| Canberra resident — residence | Living and working in ACT for ≥6 months | Living and working in ACT for ≥3 months |
| Canberra resident — employment | Employment is tested separately from residence. Employees: 30+ hrs/week in at least 26 of the last 30 weeks, paid no less than the relevant award or market salary rate — there is no dollar threshold on this route. Self-employed: a weekly taxable income threshold applies in each of the 26 weeks, plus 12 months ACT business activity on your ABN | Employment for ≥13 of last 15 weeks at ≥15 hrs/week |
| Overseas applicant | ≥3 years relevant experience in nominated occupation | Not living in Australia | ≥1 year full-time post-graduate experience in nominated occupation in last 5 years | Not living in Australia |
| Doctorate streamlined | Invited every round while allocation remains — Doctoral degree from an ACT university, awarded in the last two years for overseas applicants; a Matrix is still submitted | Invited every round while allocation remains — Doctoral degree from an ACT university; a Matrix is still submitted |
| Two-year commitment | Must live and work in Canberra for ≥2 years from visa grant | Must live and work in Canberra for ≥2 years from visa grant |
| One nomination only | Yes — one nomination place per person, engaged once you are successfully nominated; discretionary exceptions only. | Yes — 491 ranked first. 190 Matrix not ranked if 491 invitation already active. |
| Matrix validity | Lapses 6 months after submission if no invitation and no update; an update extends it 6 months, 12 months maximum | Lapses 6 months after submission if no invitation and no update; an update extends it 6 months, 12 months maximum |
| 14-day response window | Yes — application must be submitted and fee paid inside the 14-day invitation window | Yes — application and fee within 14 days |
| Invitation rounds | Regular throughout year — exact dates not pre-announced | Regular throughout year — 491 ranked first per round |
Allocations, round dates and cut-off scores are not on this page
Place numbers, recent rounds, the ACT weekly income threshold and the Matrix cut-off scores by occupation change through the year and are held on the state nomination status page, dated per state.
What Is the Canberra Matrix — and Why It Matters More Than Your Federal Points
Every other state nomination program uses your federal SkillSelect EOI points score as the primary ranking tool. The ACT is different. The Canberra Matrix is the ACT Government's own merit-based scoring system — it ranks your economic contribution to and genuine commitment to Canberra, separately from your federal points score.
Your federal points score gets you into the national SkillSelect pool. Your Canberra Matrix score determines whether the ACT Government invites you. The two scores are calculated independently. You can have a 90-point federal score and a weak Matrix score and not be invited — or a 65-point federal score and a strong Matrix score and receive an invitation.
| Matrix scoring category | What it rewards |
|---|---|
| Skilled employment in Canberra | Length and continuity of paid skilled employment in the ACT. For 190 residents as an employee: minimum 30 hrs/week for ≥26 of the last 30 weeks, paid no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. A weekly income threshold applies to the self-employed route, not to employees. Points increase with duration and earnings level. |
| English language proficiency | Points awarded above Competent English. Proficient and Superior English levels score progressively more. 190 Canberra residents must meet Proficient English unless the occupation is Chef 351311 or ANZSCO skill level 3–5. |
| Formal qualifications | Level of qualification in your nominated occupation. PhD/Masters scores higher than Bachelor; Bachelor higher than Diploma. Must be relevant to your nominated occupation. |
| Length of ACT residence / study | Continuous residence in the ACT. Duration matters — longer ACT residency generates higher Matrix points. Applicants within a 30-minute commute (e.g. Queanbeyan) may also qualify. |
| ACT study | Completed an eligible qualification at an ACT educational institution — adds Matrix points for genuine ACT study commitment. |
| Investment activity in Canberra | Residential property ownership or rental in the ACT. Mortgage or long-term lease demonstrates commitment to Canberra. |
| Close family ties in the ACT | Immediate family members (spouse/partner or dependent child) who are Australian citizens or permanent residents residing in the ACT. Marriage or civil union certificate required. |
| Spouse / partner employment | Partner working in Canberra in a skilled occupation on the occupation list. Partner must meet competent English requirement or hold Australian passport. |
| Small business ownership | Majority owner of an eligible ACT-registered business with documented ACT business activity for ≥12 months, earning at or above the ACT weekly threshold. Statutory declaration required. These 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. |
What counts as employment in Canberra — and what does not
This is where resident applications fail most often, because the ACT sets conditions on the job itself.
- Employment is tested separately from the six-month residence requirement. You may work for more than one employer, be self-employed, or be a small business owner — and the types can be combined, provided each meets its own criteria.
- Employees: 30+ hours a week in at least 26 of the 30 weeks before Matrix submission, in a genuine position on Australian terms, paid no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. Payslips and bank statements must record the income for the claimed period.
- Your employer must sign a statutory declaration confirming you hold a genuine position. In a large organisation your manager or direct supervisor can sign it.
- Working in Canberra for an interstate employer? There must be a genuine reason you are based in Canberra. You cannot be working online, or from a home office.
- Unpaid work does not count. Internships, stipends, scholarships and volunteer positions are all excluded.
- Self-employed, not claiming as a small business owner: a weekly taxable income threshold applies in each of the 26 weeks, you need at least 12 months of ACT business activity on your ABN, and you must sign a statutory declaration covering the ABN, business location, start date, duties and annual income.
- Small business owner: a statutory declaration covering the ABN, how many people you employ and for how long, ACT business location, start date, duties and annual income.
Critical rule: every Matrix claim must be proven at submission date. The ACT Government states clearly that supporting documentation must prove your Matrix claims are true at the date you submit the Matrix. If invited, your application is assessed against the same criteria. If your documents do not substantiate your claimed score, the application will be refused — and you will have used your one nomination place. Do not claim points you cannot prove.
Two Pathways — Canberra Resident vs Overseas Applicant
The Canberra Matrix is structured differently for Canberra residents and overseas applicants. The eligibility criteria, Matrix categories available, and minimum scores required differ significantly between the two. Choosing the wrong pathway and submitting the wrong Matrix can result in refusal.
| Criteria | Canberra Resident Pathway | Overseas Applicant Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Residency requirement (190) | Lived in Canberra ≥6 months at Matrix submission and continuing until the date of invitation. Bank statements must record ACT banking activity across that period. A 30-minute commute in NSW — Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong — also qualifies | Not living in Australia — cannot be onshore at time of application |
| Residency requirement (491) | Living and working in ACT for ≥3 months at Matrix submission | Not living in Australia — cannot be onshore at time of application |
| Occupation (190) | On ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List OR small business owner claiming Matrix points | On ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List |
| Work experience (190) | Demonstrated by current ACT employment and income requirements | ≥3 years relevant experience in nominated occupation |
| Work experience (491) | Demonstrated by current ACT employment (≥13 of last 15 weeks) | ≥1 year full-time post-graduate experience in nominated occupation in last 5 years |
| English (190) | Proficient or Superior English, unless the occupation is Chef 351311 or ANZSCO skill level 3 to 5 | Proficient or Superior English — same exceptions |
| English (491) | Competent English minimum | Competent English minimum |
| Key Matrix categories | ACT employment duration and earnings, ACT residence duration, investment/property, family ties, qualifications, English | Overseas work experience, qualifications, English, partner employment, family ties |
| Dependants | Spouse/partner must be resident in Canberra for at least six months OR living overseas — not interstate | Children enrolled in ACT school may remain in Australia |
| Commitment declaration | Must sign statutory declaration committing to live and work in Canberra for ≥2 years from visa grant | Must sign statutory declaration committing to live and work in Canberra from arrival |
Canberra is a government town, and that cuts both ways. The ACT notes that you may not be eligible to apply for positions within the Australian Government because of citizenship and security clearance requirements. A large share of Canberra's professional roles sit behind that door, so the labour market research the ACT asks for should be done against the roles actually open to you.
Overseas applicants — one critical rule. You cannot be living anywhere in Australia when applying as an overseas applicant. This includes being onshore on any Australian visa. You and your dependants (excluding children enrolled in an ACT school) must be living overseas. Applying as an overseas applicant while onshore will result in refusal.
Doctorate Streamlined Pathway — Invited Every Round While Allocation Remains
The ACT offers a unique fast-track for holders of a Doctoral degree completed at an ACT university. This is the only pathway in any Australian state or territory that provides a guaranteed invitation in every round the ACT can run, "except when it is not possible to nominate your SkillSelect EOI, for example when the allocation is reached" — a Matrix is still submitted, but no score threshold applies.
- Must hold a Doctoral degree from an ACT university (not interstate or overseas)
- Canberra residents must also have lived in the ACT for at least 12 months. For a resident using this pathway the occupation list and the other ACT criteria — including the higher English requirement — are waived
- Select 'Doctorate Streamlined nomination' in the Canberra Matrix — no Matrix points required
- Eligible for both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 nomination
- An invitation is issued at every regular invitation round (subject to allocation remaining)
- 14-day application window applies after invitation — same as all other pathways
- Two-year commitment to live and work in Canberra still applies after visa grant
ACT doctorate streamlined — strongest pathway for PhD graduates. If you completed a Doctoral degree at the University of Canberra, Australian National University, or another ACT-registered university, the doctorate streamlined pathway provides an invitation every round the ACT can run — the ACT qualifies it with "except when it is not possible to nominate your SkillSelect EOI, for example when the allocation is reached" without competing against other Matrix submissions. This is the clearest ACT nomination pathway available.
Eligibility Requirements — ACT
You must meet both Department of Home Affairs visa criteria AND ACT nomination criteria. The ACT checks both sets of requirements at Matrix submission and again at nomination date.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Must not have turned 45 at the time of invitation to apply for the visa — a Home Affairs criterion (Sch 1 items 1229/1241), not a state one. Nomination comes first; the age test falls at the later invitation date. |
| Federal points — Subclass 190 | 65 total = 60 base + 5 nomination points |
| Federal points — Subclass 491 | 65 total = 50 base + 15 nomination points |
| Pathway (residents) | You must meet one of three: nominated occupation on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List; Doctorate Streamlined — a Doctoral degree from an ACT university and at least 12 months lived in the ACT, which waives the occupation list and the other ACT criteria including the higher English requirement; or Small Business Owner — majority owner of an eligible ACT-registered business claiming Matrix points in that category. Your occupation then does not need to be on the ACT list, provided it is on the relevant Department Skilled Occupation List. Six business types are excluded — see the Matrix categories below |
| Skills assessment | Valid, positive skills assessment — must match nominated occupation — valid at both Matrix submission date AND nomination date |
| English — Canberra residents 190 | Proficient or Superior English — unless your occupation is Chef 351311 or has an ANZSCO skill level of 3, 4 or 5 |
| English — all other pathways | Competent English minimum — valid at Matrix submission date AND nomination date |
| Work experience — resident 190 | As an employee: 30 hours/week in ≥26 of the 30 weeks before Matrix submission, paid no less than the relevant award or market salary rate. Employment types can be combined — employee, self-employed and small business owner — provided each meets its own criteria. Unpaid work does not count: internships, stipends, scholarships and volunteer positions are all excluded |
| Work experience — resident 491 | Minimum 15 hours/week in ≥13 of the 15 weeks before Matrix submission |
| Work experience — overseas 190 | ≥3 years relevant experience in nominated occupation |
| Work experience — overseas 491 | ≥1 year full-time post-graduate experience in nominated occupation within last 5 years |
| ACT employability — overseas | You must have researched the ACT labour market and be satisfied you are employable in Canberra. An employment statement is a required attachment — it must explain the research you did, confirm you are employable, and list recent job vacancies you are eligible for |
| Registration or licence | Where your occupation requires it, you must hold the relevant Australian registration or licence |
| Commitment to Canberra | Signed declaration to live and work in Canberra while your visa is being processed and for ≥2 years from visa grant. Overseas applicants commit for 2 years from date of arrival in Australia |
| Nomination limit | One nomination place per person, engaged once you are successfully nominated (discretionary exceptions only) — the ACT does not return nomination places once issued. A refused application also uses the place if not identified at eligibility stage |
| Matrix validity | Canberra Matrix lapses 6 months after submission if no invitation and no update; an update extends validity by 6 months (12 months maximum) and resets the submission date |
| Matrix is final on submission | A submitted Matrix cannot be updated or withdrawn. If your circumstances change you must submit a new one, which resets your submission date |
How to Apply — ACT Canberra Matrix Process
1. Verify federal visa and ACT nomination eligibility: Check you meet all DHA visa criteria AND ACT nomination eligibility for your chosen pathway (Canberra resident, overseas applicant, or doctorate streamlined). Confirm your occupation is on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List — updated regularly at act.gov.au.
2. Submit your EOI in SkillSelect: Lodge your Expression of Interest via SkillSelect selecting ACT as your preferred state/territory. Your EOI must be valid and all claims must be accurate — you must continue to meet all criteria from Matrix submission through to nomination date.
3. Calculate and submit your Canberra Matrix: Use the Matrix calculator at act.gov.au to estimate your score before submitting. Select one option per Matrix category — only claim points you can prove with supporting documents at the submission date. Submit the Matrix online — you can update or withdraw it at any time before an invitation is issued, at no charge. If your circumstances change, update the existing Matrix; the submission date resets.
4. Wait for invitation: The ACT ranks all submitted Matrices by occupation and score. 491 submissions are ranked first in every round. The highest-ranked Matrix in each occupation receives an invitation — cut-off depends on allocation remaining and occupation demand; on tied scores the ACT may select by submission date and time. Matrix lapses after 6 months if no invitation and no update (12 months maximum with updates).
5. Accept invitation and submit within 14 days: If invited, submit your ACT nomination application and pay the service fee within 14 calendar days — this deadline is absolute. Attach all supporting documents proving every Matrix claim and your visa eligibility. Once nomination is approved, DHA issues your visa invitation and you have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
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Common Mistakes — ACT Canberra Matrix Applications
Most ACT Matrix applications fail for very predictable reasons
Claiming Matrix points that cannot be proven. Using the wrong pathway (resident vs overseas). Occupation not
on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List. Applying as overseas while onshore. Letting
the Matrix expire and losing queue position.
- Claiming Matrix points without supporting documentation — every point claimed must be provable at submission date. Unsupported claims cause refusal, and that nomination place is gone permanently
- Choosing the wrong pathway — overseas applicants cannot be living anywhere in Australia (except children in ACT schools). Resident applicants cannot have dependants living interstate. These are hard eligibility rules, not administrative details
- Occupation not on the current ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List — the list is updated regularly. An occupation on the list one year may be capped or removed the next. Always check the current list before submitting your Matrix
- Submitting a Matrix and then improving your circumstances — you cannot update a submitted Matrix. If your Matrix score could be significantly higher by waiting (e.g. completing more months of ACT employment), it is often better to wait and submit with a stronger score. The Matrix expires after 6 months, so timing matters
- Not understanding the one-nomination rule — if you are nominated and then fail to meet the DHA visa requirements, or if your application is refused, the ACT does not return that nomination place. Each nomination is permanent
- Letting the Matrix expire — if no invitation is issued within 6 months of submission, the Matrix expires automatically. You must resubmit — and the new submission date affects your ranking position if scores are tied
- Applying for 190 while an active 491 invitation exists — your 190 Matrix will not be ranked and selected if you have an active 491 invitation or application in the system
- Expecting the ACT to prioritise you. It processes applications in the order they are submitted and states plainly that it will not consider requests to prioritise for personal circumstances — including visa expiry dates and critical birthdays.
- Working remotely for an interstate employer and calling it Canberra employment. The ACT requires a genuine reason for being based in Canberra, and will not accept online or home-office work for an interstate employer.
- Using an agent without an agent account. Migration agents acting for a client must register and create an agent account, and must include the client's own personal email address on the submission.
- Submitting without checking the published cut-off scores. The ACT publishes the actual scores that received invitations, by occupation, from each round. Submitting a Matrix without reading them first is guessing when the data is available.
Including Family Members in Your ACT Application
Eligible family members can generally be included in your visa application. This applies to all three primary skilled visa subclasses — 189, 190, and 491.
| Family member | Included? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse or de facto partner | Yes | Must be in a genuine relationship. To claim Matrix points you need a marriage certificate, a civil partnership or union certificate, or VEVO secondary applicant status, and the document must be dated before the Matrix is submitted. A de facto relationship without a certificate is not accepted for ACT nomination. |
| Dependent children under 18 | Yes | Standard DHA dependency requirements apply. |
| Dependent children over 18 | In limited circumstances | Must meet DHA dependency criteria — usually enrolled in full-time study or have a dependent disability. Evidence required. |
| Other dependants | Case by case | Must meet DHA dependency criteria under migration law. |
ACT-specific rule — spouse/partner residency. For Canberra resident applicants, your spouse or partner must be either a resident in Canberra for at least six months OR living overseas — not interstate. If your partner is living in another Australian state or territory, this affects your eligibility under the Canberra resident pathway. Children enrolled in an ACT school may remain in Australia even for overseas applicant pathways.
Visa Fees and Processing Time
Visa application charges are set by the Department of Home Affairs and are updated periodically — most commonly on 1 July. ACT nomination and the federal visa application are separate stages with separate fees. No fee figure is published on this page, because a cached number is worse than no number: confirm the current charges at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and act.gov.au before you budget.
| Fee / timeline | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant visa fee | Set by DHA for the Subclass 190 / 491 — confirm the current charge at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging |
| Partner / spouse | Additional DHA charge applies — confirm at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Dependent children | Additional charges apply depending on age and circumstances |
| ACT nomination service fee | Charged by ACT Government at nomination stage — payable within the 14-day window after invitation. Confirm the current amount at act.gov.au. It is non-refundable and does not guarantee an outcome, a ranking result, or an invitation |
| Total timeline — ACT pathway | Matrix submission → invitation → nomination application (14 days) → nomination assessment (varies) → DHA visa invitation → visa application (60 days) → visa decision. Total timeline varies significantly — typically several months to over a year. |
| Processing time note | ACT nomination processing and DHA visa processing are separate stages. A nomination assessment alone typically takes weeks to months depending on round timing and documentation quality. |
What If You Don't Need ACT Nomination — Subclass 189 for Canberra Applicants
Not every applicant targeting Canberra needs ACT nomination. If your federal points score is strong enough to compete nationally through the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, you may be able to settle in Canberra without going through the Canberra Matrix at all.
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 (ACT) | Subclass 491 (ACT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR outcome | Direct permanent residency | Direct permanent residency | Provisional — PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years |
| ACT nomination needed | No — federal invitation only | Yes — Canberra Matrix required | Yes — Canberra Matrix required |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in Australia including Canberra | Canberra — 2-year commitment required | Canberra — 2-year commitment required |
| Best for | High-scoring applicants with competitive occupations who want flexibility | Applicants targeting Canberra permanently who qualify under ACT criteria | Applicants open to the regional pathway and whose Matrix score is competitive |
| Key risk | Federal competition is intense — thresholds vary significantly by occupation | One nomination only — if the process fails at any stage, the nomination place is lost | 491 ranked first in every ACT round — strong pathway if Matrix score is competitive |
Related Visas and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Canberra Matrix and how is it different from other states?
The Canberra Matrix is the ACT Government's own scored ranking system for nomination applications. Unlike every other state which ranks applicants by their federal SkillSelect EOI points, the ACT ranks applicants by their Canberra Matrix score — which measures economic contribution to and genuine commitment to Canberra. Your federal points score gets you into the national pool; your Matrix score determines whether the ACT invites you.
Is the ACT program open right now?
Check before you rely on an answer. The ACT holds invitation rounds regularly through the financial year, but exact dates are not pre-announced — so there is no schedule to plan around. Current status is on our state nomination status page and on act.gov.au, which also publishes the cut-off scores from each round by occupation. Read those before you submit — you can update a Matrix before invitation, but every update resets your submission date.
Can I apply for ACT nomination if I live overseas?
Yes — but only if you are not living anywhere in Australia at the time of application. The overseas applicant pathway is available for applicants outside Australia. You and your dependants (excluding children enrolled in an ACT school) cannot be onshore. The overseas pathway requires different eligibility criteria: for 190, at least 3 years relevant work experience; for 491, at least 1 year full-time post-graduate experience in your nominated occupation in the last 5 years.
What is the doctorate streamlined pathway?
The doctorate streamlined pathway is an ACT-exclusive fast-track for holders of a Doctoral degree completed at an ACT university. The ACT states "every invitation round, applicants for the ACT doctorate streamlined option will be issued with an invitation" — qualified by "except when it is not possible to nominate your SkillSelect EOI, for example when the allocation is reached". A Canberra Matrix is still submitted; no score threshold applies. The 11 June 2026 round shows capped doctorate numbers and 0 places from 30 June 2026. If you hold a PhD or professional doctorate from the University of Canberra, Australian National University, or another ACT-registered university, this is almost certainly your strongest pathway.
How many times can I apply for ACT nomination?
The ACT offers one nomination place per person. Once nominated — whether for 190 or 491 — you cannot apply for another ACT nomination place, with very limited exceptions at the ACT Government's discretion. This makes the decision to submit a Matrix and accept an invitation a major commitment. Once nominated, that place cannot be returned to the pool.
What happens if my Canberra Matrix expires?
If you receive no invitation within 6 months of submitting your Matrix and make no update, it lapses. Updating it before then extends validity by six months, to a maximum of 12 months from original submission — but an update resets your submission date. On equal scores the ACT may select by submission date and time, so a more recent date can put you behind others with the same score. Timing of submission therefore matters, particularly in highly competitive occupation groups.
Are 491 applications prioritised over 190 in the ACT?
Yes. The ACT Government ranks and selects 491 Matrix submissions first in every invitation round. If you are eligible for both 190 and 491, you will generally be invited for 491 first. Additionally, your 190 Matrix will not be ranked or selected if you have an active 491 invitation already issued.
What is the two-year commitment and does it matter?
Yes — it is a legal commitment. If the ACT nominates you and DHA grants your visa, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant (or from your arrival date if you were offshore). This applies to both 190 and 491 visa holders nominated by the ACT. The ACT takes this commitment seriously. Nearby NSW communities within a 30-minute commute — including Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong — are also acceptable.
What Matrix score do I need to receive an invitation?
Minimum Matrix scores vary by occupation, pathway (resident vs overseas), and visa subclass — and they change each round based on demand. In practice the spread is wide: some care economy occupations have been invited at scores far below what ICT managers and accountants required in the same round. The higher the occupation demand, the higher the cut-off. The ACT publishes the actual invitation round rankings at act.gov.au, and reviewing them for your own occupation before you submit is the only reliable way to judge whether your Matrix is competitive.
Does ACT nomination guarantee a visa grant?
No. ACT nomination is only one stage of the process. Nomination triggers an invitation from DHA to apply for your visa — but you must still satisfy all DHA visa requirements including health checks, character clearances, identity documents, and all subclass-specific criteria. The ACT Government manages nomination; DHA manages the visa application and grant decision.
Can I include my family in an ACT nomination application?
Yes. Eligible family members — including your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children — can generally be included in your visa application. For ACT nomination purposes, de facto relationships require a marriage or civil partnership certificate. Your partner must be either a resident in Canberra for at least six months or living overseas — not interstate. Confirm current inclusion rules and DHA charges at act.gov.au and immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Every Matrix update resets your submission date, and the ACT offers one nomination place per person.
That makes the submission the decision, not the application. A free eligibility check tells you which pathway fits and what you can actually evidence before you lodge something final.
Visa Advisor is a MARA-registered migration practice based in Sydney, NSW, working with clients across Australia and offshore.
Sources and last checked dates
- ACT Government — 190 nomination, Canberra resident eligibility (page updated 5 August 2026) checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- ACT Government — 190 nomination, overseas applicant eligibility checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- ACT Government — ACT nomination process and Canberra Matrix checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- ACT Government — Canberra Matrix invitation rounds and cut-off scores by occupation checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- ACT Government — ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- ACT Government — ACT Migration application fees checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — subclass 190 Skilled Nominated, including the visa application charge checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional checked 7 September 2026 open ↗
Matrix settings, the occupation list, allocations, cut-off scores, the ACT income threshold and all fees change during a programme year — confirm the current position with the source before acting on anything on this page.