ACT Nomination: Opportunities in Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, and it is now drawing many skilled migrants thanks to its welcoming environment. With a balanced lifestyle, strong job market, and diverse community, Canberra offers both opportunity and a high quality of life. With the ACT Nomination programme, skilled workers from anywhere in the world can get either a 190 visa (for permanent residency) or a 491 visa (for a regional provisional pathway). It is a good choice for people who wish to have an organised and supported way to settle in Australia.

In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about the ACT Nomination program. You will discover what the visa is, the types you can get and who can apply for them. We will go over the latest developments and demonstrate how Classic Migration can help you move to Canberra throughout your journey.

What is ACT Nomination?

The ACT Nomination programme helps skilled workers who want to move to Australia by giving them support from the ACT Government. Being nominated gives you a better chance of getting an invitation to apply, proving Canberra recognises your talents. ACT offers two main types of visas: the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491). Both give opportunities for people to live and work in Canberra.

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated (Permanent)

Skilled Nominated allows skilled workers chosen by the ACT Government to become permanent residents. Those who want to qualify must meet certain vital requirements.

• Provides permanent residency allows you to live and work in Australia as long as you wish.
• It is necessary to settle in Canberra for at least two years after you get the visa.
• You should have a high points score and some connexion to the ACT, such as recent work, studying in Canberra or other proven links.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Skilled Work Regional allows skilled workers who the ACT Government nominates to stay in Australia for 5 years. It allows for permanent residency if some conditions are satisfied.

• Allows you to reside and work in Canberra (or another regional area) for up to five years.
• For permanent residency, you have to live and work in a regional area for at least three years and have a certain level of income.
• The Subclass 491 visa has less strict requirements, which makes it a good choice for people with lower points or shorter ties to the ACT.

If you are applying for Subclass 190 or 491 visas, you must meet the requirements set out in the Canberra Matrix. The system uses employment status, education, English language ability and how committed the candidate is to the ACT to rank people.

Recent Changes or Updates in ACT Nomination

The ACT Nomination programme is regularly updated to fit local requirements and attract skilled migrants who want to settle in Canberra. In the 2024–2025 programme year, certain updates were made to help the process and give priority to people with strong links to the area.

• ACT Nomination rounds now take place monthly so that applicants can be chosen more regularly.
• Occupation lists and ACT Nomination Lists are often updated to match the skills that are needed in the ACT.
• Canberra now has more places for people who are already employed or studying in the city.
• Applicants who already have a job, are studying or have lived in the ACT for a long time are given more priority.

The updates are meant to assist the local economy and give extra points to those who are already involved in Canberra’s community. To find out about the most recent updates, visit the official ACT Government’s migration site.

Why Choose Canberra (ACT) for Skilled Migration?

Apart from being the capital, Canberra has become a top choice for skilled migrants who wish to improve their careers and enjoy a better way of life. Since many industries in the ACT need workers, the area has a pleasant environment and access to top education and healthcare, which helps people balance their jobs and personal lives well. If you want to start a career, have a family or settle down for the long run, Canberra is a great place for skilled people.

Growing demand for skilled professionals

The number of jobs in Canberra is increasing, mainly in healthcare, ICT, construction, engineering and education. Because there is a lack of skilled workers in these industries, people with the right abilities can find good job prospects. No matter if you are a nurse, software developer, engineer, teacher or tradesperson, you may find that your skills are required in the ACT. Many employers in both the public and private sectors are trying to hire skilled workers to help the region develop and handle its growing population.

Work-life balance and a clean environment

Canberra’s easygoing culture helps people achieve a good balance between their jobs and personal lives. While Sydney and Melbourne have longer commutes and busier roads, the city offers shorter trips to work, less traffic and many parks. The area offers clean air, peaceful suburbs and simple access to nature, which makes it ideal for relaxing after work and raising a family.

Access to world-class education and healthcare

Australia’s top education and healthcare services are available in Canberra. Canberra has great universities like ANU and the University of Canberra, where many students and teachers from around the world come to study and work. There are well-equipped hospitals and clinics in the city, forming a solid public health system. This is why families will find Canberra to be a good place for a secure and healthy future.

Eligibility Criteria For ACT Nomination

To apply for ACT Nomination under either the 190 or 491 visa, you need to meet certain requirements set by both the ACT Government and the Department of Home Affairs. While some criteria apply to both visa types, but some are only for permanent residency or provisional residency. Here is a list of what you should prepare for each kind of visa.

190 visa subclass

The Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) is given to qualified workers who the ACT Government nominates. It is necessary to meet the rules laid down by the federal government and the ACT, and you should be linked to Canberra through work, study or living there.

• Be less than 45 years old if you are invited to participate.
• Carry out a recognised skills assessment that confirms your skills in an occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List.
• You must score at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, which includes state nomination points.
• Send a Canberra Matrix to show that you want to be nominated for ACT.
• You should plan to live and work in Canberra for at least two years after your visa is approved.
• Ensure your English is at least Competent English or higher which is the usual requirement for most jobs.

491 Visa Subclass

With the Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491), skilled workers are allowed to live and work in Canberra or another regional area. After meeting some conditions, it allows you to become a permanent resident and the requirements are more flexible than the 190 visa.

• You must be younger than 45 when you get invited.
• Have skills that are recognised as important for the occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List.
• You need to get at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, with points from ACT nomination included.
• A valid Canberra Matrix is needed to be considered for ACT nomination.
• Prove that you have worked or studied in Canberra recently, which shows you can contribute to the community.
• Make sure you meet the English language requirement which is often Competent English, unless your job needs a higher level.

Step-by-Step ACT Nomination Process

There are a few important things you need to do to apply for ACT Nomination. From checking if your occupation is eligible to lodging your final visa application, each stage plays an important part in your skilled migration journey. Here’s how the process works:

• Check Occupation Eligibility: Look at the latest ACT Critical Skills List to make sure your occupation is eligible for nomination.
• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Go to SkillSelect, the official Australian Government website, to make an EOI.
• Go through all the questions in the Canberra Matrix: Use the Canberra Matrix, which gives you a score by examining your job, study, English abilities and connections to Canberra.
• Look forward to the ACT Nomination Round: There are monthly invitation rounds by the ACT. If you get a high score on the Matrix, you may be asked to apply for nomination.
• Make an application for ACT Nomination: After getting an invitation, provide the necessary documents and pay the nomination fee to the ACT Government.
• Get recognised by the ACT committee: Once your nomination is approved, you will get a certificate that can help you with the visa application.
• Get Your Visa: After everything is done, send your visa application with your ACT nomination to the Department of Home Affairs.

Tips to Improve Your Chances of ACT Nomination(list Points)

Being nominated by the ACT can be tough, but there are different ways to improve your score and make yourself noticed. Here are some useful suggestions to increase your chances:

• Gain Work Experience in Canberra: If you have a job in the ACT, especially a full-time job, you earn important points in the Canberra Matrix.
• Complete Higher Education in the ACT: Potential employers appreciate those who graduate from ANU or the University of Canberra.
• Secure Full-Time Employment in a Critical Occupation: Jobs listed on the ACT Critical Skills List give you a strong edge in the nomination process.
• Live in the country for a long period: If you’ve been living in Canberra for a while, you will get more points. Stability matters.
• Maintain Good Documentation: Check your paperwork again to make sure everything is correct. If you do not have the right documents or they are missing, your nomination could be postponed or rejected.
• Make sure to submit a thorough Canberra Matrix: Make sure to highlight all your achievements, skills and dedication to Canberra in your application.
• Stay Updated: The lists of occupations and the dates for nomination rounds are often updated by the ACT. Knowing the latest information is very important.

Make Canberra Your New Home with Classic Migration

At Classic Migration, we’re here to help skilled workers like you confidently take the next step towards living and working in Canberra. We will support you through every step, from checking your eligibility to preparing a strong Canberra Matrix. Classic Migration monitors any updates to the occupation lists or nomination rounds to make sure you do not miss out. We want to help you have a stress-free and easy move to Canberra as a trusted visa expert.

Got more questions about skilled migration to Australia? Be sure to check out our other blog posts for helpful guides, visa updates, and migration tips!

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Which visa subclass should I apply for: 190 or 491?

If you qualify for the higher points and wish to get permanent residency, apply for the 190 visa. If you aren’t ready to meet the ACT’s strict requirements, the 491 visa offers a better path to start with.

2. Can Classic Migration help me if I’ve been refused a nomination before?

Yes! We are experienced in handling difficult cases, even if the applicant has been rejected before. We look at the problems that occurred and come up with a new approach to succeed.

3. How long does the ACT Nomination process take with Classic Migration?

It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks for the ACT Nomination process, depending on how complete your application is and how many people are applying. We make sure that forms are submitted quickly and that we respond promptly to prevent delays.