ACT state nomination 2026–27: the 190 and 491
Settledin Team7 min readACT state nomination is a two-step process. ACT Migration ranks Canberra Matrix submissions and invites the highest ranked to apply for nomination, then Home Affairs decides the visa. The ACT nominates for the 190 and the 491. Its 2026–27 allocation has not been confirmed, and its next tentative invitation round is the week starting 25 January 2027.
As published by ACT Migration, checked 5 November 2026.
What is ACT state nomination?
State nomination lets a state or territory government give permission to apply for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). ACT Migration's nomination page says Home Affairs allocates the ACT "a fixed number of nomination places each financial year for each visa subclass".
Two points from that page:
- ACT nomination "triggers a visa invitation from the Department of Home Affairs".
- ACT says nomination does not assure a migration outcome. An applicant must still meet the Home Affairs visa criteria.
Before you start, ACT Migration says you must have a valid SkillSelect expression of interest (EOI). Settledin's guide to what happens after an invitation covers the SkillSelect side.
Which visas does the ACT nominate for?
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Five year provisional |
| Home Affairs page | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
| ACT commitment | Live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant | Live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant |
Both Home Affairs pages were last updated on 2 November 2026. For overseas applicants, ACT Migration measures the two years from the date of arrival in Canberra instead. See Settledin's pages for the ACT and the 190, the ACT and the 491 and the ACT state page.
Is ACT nomination open for 2026–27?
Partly. ACT Migration's home page says its new application portal "is now open" for Canberra Matrix submissions. It also says the ACT's 2026–27 allocation of nomination places "have not yet been confirmed by the Australian Government", and that the allocation will be published once confirmed. This post gives no allocation figures.
ACT Migration publishes a tentative invitation round schedule for 2026–27:
| Round | Note from ACT Migration |
|---|---|
| Week starting 12 October 2026 | Subclass 190 only. Held |
| Week starting 25 January 2027 | Tentative |
| Week starting 22 March 2027 | Tentative |
| Week starting 24 May 2027 | Tentative |
ACT Migration says the dates "are tentative and subject to change without notice", depending on the final allocation and operational needs, and that changes will be published on its website. It also says the ACT has a fixed number of nomination places each month, pro rata against the annual allocation. The state nomination tracker shows where each state stands.
Status and schedule as published by ACT Migration, checked 5 November 2026.
Which pathways does the ACT run?
ACT Migration's pathways page lists four:
| Pathway | Who ACT Migration says it is for |
|---|---|
| Occupation list (general) | A nominated occupation on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List, living and working in the ACT or overseas |
| Doctorate streamlined | People who completed a research or professional doctorate at an ACT university. Invitations are issued automatically each round, and there is no application fee |
| Small business owner | The majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT |
| Significant economic benefit | By ACT Government invitation only. You cannot request or apply for it |
It says Canberra residents can include people living within commuting distance in NSW. Each pathway has its own criteria for the 190 and the 491, and for Canberra residents and overseas applicants. A person must meet those and the Home Affairs criteria.
What is the Canberra Matrix?
The Canberra Matrix is how ACT Migration ranks people. It describes it as a merit-based tool where you score points for your potential economic or social contribution to Canberra, such as length of ACT residence, occupation, business activity, employment, English, study, investment and close family ties.
ACT Migration's how to apply page sets out how selection works:
- the highest ranked submission in each occupation is invited;
- the cut-off depends on demand, the available places and the number of invitations;
- 491 submissions are selected first;
- submissions in critical sectors (care, education, construction, renewables and advanced technology) may be prioritised;
- Canberra residents and overseas applicants may be ranked separately;
- a submission lapses after six months without an invitation or update, with a maximum validity of 12 months.
It also says it will not respond to requests for ranking information, and that you will not be invited if you have already received ACT nomination or have an active application. This post gives no invitation counts or minimum scores.
What does the ACT ask for?
ACT Migration sets separate criteria for each visa and residency status. These are the headline items from its 190 and 491 criteria pages, each checked on 5 November 2026.
| Requirement | 190, Canberra resident | 491, Canberra resident |
|---|---|---|
| Residence | Lived in Canberra for at least six months | Lived in Canberra for at least three months |
| Employment | Worked in Canberra for at least 26 weeks, at least 30 hours a week in 26 of the 30 weeks before submitting | Worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks, at least 15 hours a week in 13 of the 15 weeks before submitting |
| English | Proficient or Superior, with exceptions for Chef and ANZSCO skill levels 3 to 5 | Competent, unless the assessing authority requires higher |
| Requirement | 190, overseas | 491, overseas |
|---|---|---|
| Work experience | At least three years full time, post graduate, in the nominated occupation in the last five years | At least one year full time, post graduate, in the nominated occupation in the last five years |
| English | Proficient or Superior, with the same exceptions | Competent, unless the assessing authority requires higher |
| Residency | Living overseas and not lived in Australia for the last year | Living overseas and not lived in Australia for the last 12 months |
Overseas applicants also attach an employment statement and a commitment statement, and sign a declaration. Everyone needs a valid skills assessment and English test at submission and at the nomination decision. See Settledin's guides to skills assessments and English tests for Australian visas.
Which occupations does the ACT list?
The ACT publishes one occupation list for both visas. Its page says the current version was last updated on 10 October 2025 and applies to all Matrix submissions.
The ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List was "formerly known as the ACT Critical Skills list". ACT Migration says it will review the list annually around the start of the program year, and that a review does not mean the list will change. It says occupations may be capped if nominations far outstrip demand. Some occupations are marked 491 only.
On Settledin, each occupation page shows the Home Affairs lists it sits on: browse the occupation pages.
How do you submit, and what does it cost?
ACT Migration's process, from its how to apply page:
- Submit a valid SkillSelect EOI. ACT Migration says it must show a suitable skills assessment, a points total that meets the Home Affairs points test (currently 65), and the ACT as your preferred location.
- Submit a Canberra Matrix in the ACT Migration Application Portal and pay the service fee within 7 days, or the submission lapses.
- If invited, an application is created in the portal. It is active for 14 days, and the invitation lapses if it is not submitted and paid in that time.
- If nominated, the offer of nomination lasts 60 days to apply for the visa.
You can update or withdraw a Matrix at any time before an invitation. An update replaces the earlier submission and is ranked as a new one. The ACT offers one nomination place per person, and says it will not appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for you if Home Affairs refuses the visa.
ACT Migration's fees page (last updated 27 July 2026) lists non-refundable service fees:
| Item | Fee including GST |
|---|---|
| Canberra Matrix submission | $27.50 |
| 190 nomination application | $357.50 |
| 491 nomination application | $357.50 |
Home Affairs visa charges are separate. Both the ACT and Home Affairs publish processing information on their own sites: see Home Affairs' processing times page.
Is Canberra a regional area?
For visa purposes, yes in part. The Home Affairs designated regional area postcodes page (last updated 7 October 2026) lists Canberra under Category 2, "Cities and Major Regional Centres", with all postcodes in the Australian Capital Territory in that category. It says regional incentives apply to Category 2 and Category 3 areas. For the 491 after nomination, see the 191 visa guide.
How does the ACT compare with other states?
Each state sets its own criteria, lists and process. The ACT ranks by a points matrix with a residence and employment base, and runs scheduled rounds. Settledin has covered Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The state nomination tracker puts them side by side, and how to get PR in Australia shows where nomination sits among the pathways.
FAQ
Do I need a skills assessment before applying to the ACT?
ACT Migration says your EOI must show a suitable skills assessment in your nominated occupation, valid at Matrix submission and at the nomination decision. The doctorate pathway lists a current skills assessment among its documents.
Can I apply for ACT nomination from overseas?
ACT Migration has overseas criteria for both the 190 and the 491, and a Matrix that differs by residency status. Overseas applicants must be living overseas and not have lived in Australia for the last year (190) or 12 months (491).
Does nomination add points?
Nomination points are counted under the Home Affairs points table (last updated 4 November 2026). Settledin's points test guide explains how it works.
Is the ACT open for the 190 and 491?
ACT Migration says its Matrix portal is open, its 2026–27 allocation is unconfirmed, and its next tentative round is the week starting 25 January 2027. Check its home page for the current notice.
Where do I check the latest ACT news?
The updates box on the ACT Migration home page and its invitation round page carry the current notices.
Settledin adds up an indicative points total from the official Home Affairs points table, and shows each category for the 189, 190 and 491.
Work out your indicative points
This article describes published ACT Government and Department of Home Affairs information, checked on 5 November 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.
Source: ACT Migration (act.gov.au/migration), nomination pages, checked 5 November 2026.