ACT State Nomination for Subclass 190 and 491: Complete Guide (2026)

Unlike other states that heavily rely on your federal SkillSelect points, the ACT uses its own Canberra Matrix. They've designed it this way to ensure they nominate candidates who have a genuine economic or social connection to the territory.

The Matrix awards you points for factors that prove your commitment to Canberra, such as:

• How long you've lived in the ACT
• Your current employment in the ACT (including the skill level and duration)
• Your English language proficiency
• Your spouse or partner's employability and English skills
• Any tertiary study you've completed in the ACT
• Close family ties living in Canberra

Recently, the ACT introduced the new ACT Migration Application Portal, modernising how you submit your Matrix. In a welcome update, your Matrix submission can now remain valid for up to 12 months. You also have the flexibility to update or withdraw your Matrix at any time before an invitation is issued. Keep in mind, they have now separated the Matrix submission fee from the formal nomination application fee.

The territory publishes regular invitation rounds, openly stating the minimum Matrix score needed for various occupation groups. This openness makes the ACT program one of the most reliable and predictable in Australia.

Securing a Subclass 190 visa nomination gives you an additional 5 pointstowards your federal SkillSelect score. It's a direct pathway to permanent residency.

What they're looking for: For the 190 visa, the ACT typically expects applicants to have been living in Canberra for at least six months and working full-time. The exact requirements change slightly depending on whether your occupation is on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List, or if you happen to hold a subclass 482 visa.

How to apply:

1. Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) in the federal SkillSelect system.
2. Complete your Canberra Matrix through the ACT Migration Application Portal and submit your score.
3. Wait for an invitation round. If your score ranks highly enough in your specific occupation group, the ACT will invite you to apply.
4. Submit your state nomination application online, making sure you provide solid evidence for every single point you claimed on your Matrix.

The Subclass 491 visa provides a very generous 15 pointsboost when you receive your invitation. Because Canberra is fully classified as a regional area, you get the unique benefit of living in the nation's capital while holding a regional provisional visa.

Your pathways:The residency hurdle for the 491 is generally much lower (often just three months of living in Canberra) compared to the 190. If you're applying from overseas, you can also access the 491 via the Canberra Matrix if you meet specific offshore criteria-such as having strong English and relevant work experience in an occupation on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.

The ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List tells us exactly which skills the territory needs right now. Because Canberra has such a high concentration of government departments and agencies, IT, cyber security, and consulting professionals are historically in very strong demand. We always advise checking the official ACT Migration website to see if your occupation made the latest list.

• •IT and ICT: Software Engineers, cyber security specialists, network engineers, and ICT business analysts are frequently invited.
• •Healthcare: Registered Nurses, GPs, and a wide variety of allied health professionals are highly sought after.
• •Engineering: Civil Engineers and environmental engineers regularly appear on the list.
• •Design and Media: Graphic designers, web designers, and public relations professionals often find a good pathway through the ACT.

Note: As of August 2026, the ACT is awaiting its formal 2026-27 nomination allocations from the Australian Government. Invitation rounds will resume their regular schedule once these figures are finalised.

Canberra is quite unique. It boasts the highest average income and the lowest unemployment rate in Australia. Because it's a master-planned city, you'll enjoy fantastic infrastructure, world-class universities, and famously short commute times. It's a highly educated, progressive, and incredibly family-friendly place to live, nestled right amongst beautiful national parks.

While property prices and the cost of living are generally higher than in places like Adelaide or Hobart, the strong earning potential tends to balance things out. If you've set your sights on state nomination here, make sure you use our points calculator to get an accurate picture of your federal standing before you tackle the Canberra Matrix.