ACT nomination for the 190 and 491: requirements and priority occupations

Overview of the ACT Skilled Nominated program

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a federal territory and home to Canberra, Australia’s capital. Although it is small in area (about 2,358 km²), the ACT has the highest GDP per capita in the country, driven by the government sector, higher education, research and technology.

The ACT Skilled Nominated program manages nominations for the 190 and 491 visas. The most distinctive feature of the ACT program, compared with every other state and territory, is its use of a dedicated points system — the Canberra Matrix — to assess and rank applications.

Canberra Matrix — a dedicated points system

The Canberra Matrix is the ACT’s own assessment system, entirely separate from the DHA points system used in SkillSelect EOIs. Applicants need to understand that a high EOI score in SkillSelect does not guarantee ACT nomination — they need to accumulate enough points on the Canberra Matrix.

The Canberra Matrix points structure includes the following factors:

Connection to Canberra: This is the most important group of points. Points are awarded based on time spent living, studying or working in Canberra. The longer you have been there, the higher the points. For example:

Currently working full time in Canberra: high points
Currently studying at ANU, UC or CIT: points corresponding to the length of study
Having studied or worked in Canberra in the past: fewer points, but still counted

Occupation and skill level: Occupations on the higher-priority list receive higher points. The ACT’s critical shortage occupations are prioritised.

Relevant work experience: The number of years of experience in your occupation, especially experience gained in Canberra.

Qualifications: Higher qualifications (doctorate, master’s) attract more points.

English score: A Superior or Proficient English level attracts more points than Competent.

Age: Younger applicants (in the 25–40 range) generally score higher.

Requirement to live in Canberra

This is the ACT’s biggest difference: you must be living, studying or working in Canberra at the time you apply. The ACT generally does not accept applications from people who are entirely offshore and have no connection to Canberra.

The reason is that the Canberra Matrix is designed to prioritise people who are already in Canberra and demonstrate a commitment to settling there — not people who want to come to Canberra for migration convenience and then leave.

The 190 visa in the ACT

The ACT 190 visa grants permanent residence directly to people the ACT nominates.

Priority occupations for the ACT 190 visa reflect the capital’s economic structure:

Government and administration: professional roles supporting the federal government sector
Higher education and research: lecturers, researchers, research technicians
Health: doctors, specialist nurses, allied health staff for Canberra Hospital and other health facilities
Information technology: software developers, cybersecurity specialists (in high demand from both government agencies and private firms)
Engineering: construction and civil engineers for Canberra’s urban development projects
Accounting and finance: accountants, financial analysts
School education: primary and secondary teachers

The 491 visa in the ACT

A special note on the ACT 491: the ACT is a small, compact territory, and technically Canberra (the main city) is not a designated regional area under some definitions that applied previously. However, under policy updates, the ACT may take part in 491 nomination depending on the regional definition currently in force.

Anyone interested in the ACT 491 should check directly with Migration ACT about the current status of the 491 program, as this is a point that can change with policy.

Application process

Step 1: Build your Canberra connection first

If you are not yet in Canberra, consider moving there and building up time before you apply. Each month of living, working or studying in Canberra adds to your Matrix points.

Step 2: Calculate your Canberra Matrix score

Use the self-assessment scoring tool on the ACT Skilled Nominated portal to estimate your Matrix score before you formally apply.

Step 3: Prepare your EOI in SkillSelect

Keep an active, up-to-date EOI in SkillSelect.

Step 4: Apply through the ACT Skilled Nominated portal

When the ACT opens a registration round, submit your application with full information and evidence supporting your Canberra Matrix score.

Step 5: Assessment in order of Matrix score

The ACT ranks applications by Matrix score from highest to lowest. The highest scorers are nominated first, until the quota is filled.

What makes the ACT distinctive

The Canberra Matrix is a transparent and predictable system — knowing your score helps you estimate your chances of success
Canberra has a very high quality of life: a clean, green, safe environment, and none of the congestion of Sydney or Melbourne
As the capital, Canberra has many job opportunities in the federal government sector
Average wages in the ACT are among the highest in Australia
Not everyone enjoys living in Canberra, given the cold winters and the city’s public-service character — it is worth experiencing it firsthand before deciding
People who study at ANU (Australian National University) or UC (University of Canberra) have a significant advantage in the Canberra Matrix