AUSTRALIAN BORDER CLOSURE
If you were unable to travel to Australia due to the closure of the Australian border from 1 February 2020, you may still claim Canberra Matrix points from that date if you meet the following criteria:
ACT residence:
- You may claim Matrix points for the entire period you were overseas if you were residing in Canberra before your departure; or
- You may claim Matrix points from the date you commenced online study at an ACT tertiary institution.
ACT study
- You may claim Matrix points for the period you studied online at an ACT tertiary institution.
ACT employment
- You may count any work (minimum 20 hrs per week) in the two-year period before you departed Australia towards the Matrix claim for length of employment.
You must return to live in Canberra by 31 December 2022. On your return, you must work three / six months and meet the ACT employment eligibility criteria before you can submit the Matrix.
If you are invited to apply for ACT 491 / 190 nomination, a request for a COVID-19 concession must be in writing, attached to the application and evidenced by the following documents:
- an International Movement Record (IMR)
- evidence that you were residing in Canberra before your departure (if applicable).
- confirmation from the ACT tertiary institution that your studies commenced and / or continued online while you were overseas (if applicable).
- academic transcript: record of your enrolment history at an ACT tertiary institution.
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CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT
All applicants for ACT 491 / 190 nomination must meet the eligibility criteria at date of Matrix submission. However, applicants impacted by COVID-19 can request a waiver of the 'continuous employment' eligibility criteria in the following circumstances:
14 day self-isolation requirement
- If you have to self- isolate for 14 days due to COVID -19, you can request a waiver of the continuous employment criteria.
- A waiver request must include evidence of the need to self- isolate e.g., return date to Australia, close contact etc.
- You must still meet the 3/6 months employment criteria (either before and / or after the self-isolation period) at the date of Matrix submission.
ACT business closure / reduced working hours - from 13/08/21
- If your work hours are reduced, you are required to take unpaid leave, or if you have lost your job due to the COVID -19 impact on an ACT business, you can request a waiver of the continuous employment criteria.
- A waiver request must include a written statement from the employer confirming the period (start and end dates) of the business closure and / or reduced working hours, or when your employment ceased.
- You must still meet the three / six months employment criteria before a 491 / 190 Matrix can be submitted. However, each week worked that meets the 20 / 35 hrs pw criteria, either before, during and / or after the COVID -19 impact on ACT business, can be counted towards the period of claimed employment at date of matrix submission.
Return to work - You must return to work, and have worked for at least one full pay period (at the required 20 / 35 hrs pw) at the date the Matrix is submitted (evidenced by payslips and transaction history).
Request for waiver
- If you are invited to apply for ACT 491 / 190 nomination, any request for a COVID -19 waiver must be in writing, attached to the application and evidenced by supporting documentation.