Migrate to the Australian Capital Territory:
ACT 190 State Nomination Pathways

To qualify for ACT 190 nomination, applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements and the ACT’s own criteria, including:

• Meeting the ACT Matrix score requirement
• Having a skills assessment in an eligible occupation
• Demonstrating genuine commitment to live and work in Canberra
• Meeting English, employment, and residency benchmarks based on ACT Matrix guidelines

Do I need a job offer in Canberra to apply for ACT 190 nomination?

The ACT Matrix is a points-based ranking system that evaluates:

• ACT residence status
• ACT employment
• English proficiency
• Education
• Spouse/partner employment
• Assets and investments in ACT

Only the highest-ranked candidates receive invitations during each selection round. Your Matrix score must be accurate — incorrect claims can result in refusal during verification.

Generally, no. ACT requires applicants to be living in Canberra for a minimum period (usually 3–6 months) before submitting an ACT Matrix, depending on employment and residency requirements. Offshore applicants can only apply under the overseas stream, which has very limited selection and strict criteria.

ACT 190 nomination processing usually takes 4–6 weeks, provided all documents are complete. After ACT approves your nomination, Home Affairs processing for the 190 visa can take 6–12 months, depending on your circumstances, background checks, and document quality.

Common supporting documents include:

• Valid skills assessment
• Passport identification
• Proof of ACT residence (lease, invoices, bank statements)
• Employment documents (contract, payslips, tax summaries)
• English test results
• Updated CV
• Partner employment documents (if claiming points)
• Evidence supporting all claims made in the ACT Matrix

Incomplete or inconsistent documentation may result in refusal during verification.