ACT nomination
The Department of Home Affairs allows us to nominate applicants for two types of skilled migration visas in the ACT:
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) (provisional)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) (permanent)
Carefully check the details on the Department of Home Affairs website for each 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.
SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI)
Before you start the ACT nomination process, you must submit a valid expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. This is an online application process administered by the Department of Home Affairs. If you do not meet the Home Affairs visa criteria you cannot apply for ACT nomination.
If you are invited to apply for ACT nomination, you must continue to meet the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria until your application for ACT nomination is assessed. The ACT cannot confirm a nomination on SkillSelect if you do not meet the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria.
We manage the nomination process, but the Department of Home Affairs manages the visa application process. Please note, we cannot answer any questions about applying for your visa or the current visa processing time.
About the ACT nomination process
Registration of interest
You must be invited to apply for ACT nomination. Select an ACT nomination pathway and read the eligibility criteria carefully. Once you are satisfied that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can register your interest in applying for ACT nomination by completing the Canberra Matrix.
ACT Nomination pathway
Canberra residents
To follow this pathway, you must be living in Canberra. Read the eligibility criteria carefully. You cannot apply for ACT nomination if you do not meet the criteria:
- ACT 491 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must be living and working in Canberra for at least three months.
- ACT 190 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must be living and working in Canberra for at least six months.
You cannot apply under this pathway if you are living interstate or overseas; or if any dependents are living and / or working interstate.
Overseas applicants
To follow this pathway, you and any dependents cannot be living in Australia (except children enrolled in an ACT school). Read the eligibility carefully. You cannot apply for ACT nomination if you do not meet the eligibility criteria:
- ACT 491 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must have at least one year relevant experience in your nominated occupation
- ACT 190 nomination: to follow this pathway, you must have at least three years relevant experience in your nominated occupation.
You cannot apply under this pathway if you are living in Australia.
Service fee
A non-refundable $300 service fee is charged for processing applications for ACT nomination. The service fee is an administration charge only and does not guarantee the approval of an application for ACT nomination.
Doctorate Streamlined nomination
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 research or professional Doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.
You cannot apply under this pathway if you did not study at an ACT university.
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.
Canberra Matrix
We use the Canberra Matrix to fairly manage the nomination process and select applicants who will best contribute to the Canberra region. The Matrix is a merit-based assessment tool where you can score points for your economic and / or social contribution to Canberra e.g., length of ACT residence, occupation, business activity, employment, English, study, investment and close family ties.
We will rank your Matrix based on the number of points you’ve claimed. Those who rank high enough will receive an invitation by email to apply for ACT nomination with a web link to the online application.
Remember your supporting documents must prove that you meet the ACT nomination eligibility and any Matrix score claimed at the date you submit the Matrix. If you submit an application and you do not meet the published criteria, the application will be refused.
Please note: there is no guarantee that your Matrix score will be ranked, even if you meet the eligibility criteria.
One Nomination Place per Person Policy
We only offer one nomination place per person. If you are successfully nominated for a 491 or 190 visa, you cannot apply for another ACT nomination place. The ACT Government reserves the right to make an exception at its discretion and in exceptional circumstances. You can only reapply for ACT nomination if you meet the eligibility criteria and if you are applying for the same visa subclass.
We have a fixed number of nomination places available each year to help support the ACT economy. Once nominated, we do not get that nomination place back. It would therefore be unfair if applicants were given two or more nomination places.