You must carefully read the eligibility criteria for the ACT nomination pathway that you are interested in. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you cannot express an interest in ACT nomination by submitting a Canberra Matrix.
ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List Pathway (General)
To follow this pathway, you must have an occupation on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation list and be living and working in the ACT or overseas. You can be considered an ACT resident if you live within commuting distance in NSW.
Eligibility criteria may vary depending on your chosen visa and residency status, for more information go to the eligibility criteria for
- ACT Resident 491 nomination;
- ACT Resident 190 nomination;
- Overseas Resident 491 nomination; or,
- Overseas Resident 190 nomination.
You cannot apply for ACT nomination if you do not meet the criteria.
Canberra Matrix submissions with a nominated occupation on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List will be ranked by visa subclass and residency status. The highest ranked Canberra Matrix submission in each occupation will be invited to apply for ACT nomination. The cut‑off for selection will depend on demand, the available places, and the number of invitations being issued. Canberra Matrix submissions for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa will be selected first.
Doctorate Streamlined Nomination
The Doctorate Streamlined nomination pathway aims to retain highly skilled migrants who have completed a PhD at an ACT university by streamlining the ACT nomination process to make it easier for applicants with a PhD from an ACT university to obtain ACT nomination. This includes a fee free application process.
To follow this pathway, you must meet the following criteria:
- Canberra resident: you are living in Canberra, and you completed a research or professional Doctoral degree at an ACT university.
- Interstate / overseas applicant: you were awarded a Doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.
Your nominated occupation does not need to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation list if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List, you do not need to meet other ACT nomination eligibility criteria (including additional English requirements) or claim points on the Canberra matrix. You cannot apply under this pathway if you did not study at an ACT university.
Invitations are issued automatically in every invitation round. The following documents will need to be included in your application and must be valid at date of Canberra Matrix submission:
- A current skill assessment in the nominated occupation;
- Your Doctorate completion letter or Doctorate award from an ACT university; and
- Your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) record of response which shows the personal, education, English and employment details submitted.
Small Business Owner (SBO) Pathway
This pathway seeks to attract and retain entrepreneurial migrants who actively contribute to the ACT economy through their small business. To follow this pathway, you must be the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category.
Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List if it is on the relevant Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List. You must be living in the ACT or within commuting distance in NSW, meet all other ACT nomination eligibility criteria for your chosen visa pathway, and claim points in the Canberra Matrix.
The highest ranked Canberra Matrix submissions for this stream will be invited to apply for ACT 491 / 190 nomination. The cut‑off for selection will depend on overall demand for the ACT skilled migration program, the available places, and the number of invitations being issued.
Significant Economic Benefit
You may be invited to apply for ACT nomination if we think your employment is of significant economic benefit to the Territory, and you do not meet the current eligibility criteria. You cannot request or apply for this pathway. The invitation can ONLY be initiated by the ACT government.