The ACT offers streamlined nomination for holders of a Doctorate completed at an ACT university. You will benefit from a simplified application process with minimal supporting documentation, priority processing and fee free.
Your nominated occupation does not have to be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List. You may nominate any occupation on the relevant Department of Home Affairs List of Eligible Skilled Occupations as long as you have the mandatory skill assessment.
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Carefully check the details on the Department of Home Affairs website for your chosen visa type to make sure that you:
- choose the right visa for your situation.
- meet all of Department of Home Affairs' eligibility criteria for that visa.
Canberra resident
You are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you have:
- Lived in Canberra for at least 12 months at time of invitation.
- Completed a professional or research doctoral degree at an ACT university.
Interstate resident
If you are living in another state or territory, you are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you were awarded a professional or research doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.
Overseas applicant
If you are living overseas, you are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you were awarded a professional or research doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.
Step 2: Expressing an interest in ACT nomination
You may express your interest in ACT doctorate streamlined nomination by completing the online Canberra Matrix. You are not required to claim Matrix points.
Completing the Matrix
- Enter your personal information.
- Select either ACT 491 nomination or ACT 190 nomination.
- Select Completed a doctorate at an ACT university.
- Select 'Canberra resident' or 'Interstate / Overseas applicant'.
- Submit.
Step 3: Applying for ACT nomination
Every invitation round, applicants for the ACT doctorate streamlined option will be issued with an invitation. Invitation rounds happen regularly throughout the year except when it is not possible to nominate your SkillSelect EOI, for example when the allocation is reached towards the end of the financial year or if the Department of Home Affairs has not yet allocated nomination places. The exact timing of invitation rounds can vary depending on operational requirements.
The application for ACT nomination must be lodged within 14 days of date of invitation. If the application is not lodged within 14 days, the invitation will automatically expire and cannot be reactivated.
Step 4: Document checklist
You must attach the following information to the online application:
- SkillSelect EOI: SkillSelect EOI record of response which shows the personal, education, English and employment details submitted. The ACT must be selected as your preferred location on the EOI.
- Skilled Occupation: Current skill assessment in the nominated occupation.
- Australian qualifications:
- Doctorate course completion letter or Doctorate award from an ACT university (if Canberra resident).
- Doctorate award from an ACT university (if interstate or overseas).
No fee: The application for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination is free.
Average processing time: We will normally process your application for doctorate streamlined nomination within one week.