ACT 190 visa: Canberra Matrix and nomination requirements

Key considerations

• The Canberra Matrix and the federal points test are separate assessments.
• The 12 October 2026 ACT invitation round was subclass 190 only.
• Check eligibility before submitting or updating a Matrix; claims need dated evidence.

Current position: 18 October 2026

The ACT portal is accepting Canberra Matrix submissions. Official results record a 12 October 2026 round for subclass 190, including Canberra residents and overseas applicants. The ACT still says its 2026–27 nomination allocation has not been confirmed.

These are separate facts: portal access does not guarantee selection, and historical allocation figures do not establish this year’s available places. The published future round schedule is tentative. Recheck the official announcement before making time-sensitive plans.

Sources: ACT Government: migration program updates · ACT Government: Canberra Matrix invitation rounds

Read the dated ACT invitation results →

First check the permanent visa requirements

Subclass 190 is a permanent visa. Home Affairs requirements include an eligible occupation, suitable skills assessment, competent English, being under 45 at invitation and at least 65 federal points. Nomination contributes five points where the relevant conditions are met; the invitation score must still be substantiated.

Use the federal subclass 190 guide to assess the visa itself, then add the ACT checklist. ACT selection does not waive health, character or other federal requirements.

Sources: Home Affairs: Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 · Home Affairs: subclass 190 points table

Understand the federal subclass 190 visa →

Understand what the Canberra Matrix measures

The Matrix ranks eligible candidates through ACT-specific factors such as residence, work, qualifications, English and local connections. A federal score cannot be transferred into the Matrix. Keep two clearly labelled calculations and identify the evidence supporting each claim.

Documents generally need to establish the position when the Matrix was submitted or last updated. Updating creates a new ranking date. A Matrix normally lapses after six months without invitation or update; extensions through updates cannot take it beyond 12 months from original submission.

Sources: ACT Government: Canberra Matrix rules and validity

Canberra residents: residence, work and English

Under the ordinary resident criteria, you need six months living in Canberra and must remain there until invitation. Qualifying NSW addresses within a 30-minute commute can count. Employees need at least 30 hours weekly in 26 of the preceding 30 weeks, supported by salary records and an employer statutory declaration.

The work must be genuine and properly paid. Working for an interstate employer has additional conditions; an online or home-office arrangement is excluded. Self-employment and small-business-owner cases have their own income, business-history and declaration requirements.

ACT generally requires proficient or superior English for 190, except Chef 351311 and ANZSCO skill levels 3–5. Partners need six months of Canberra residence or must be overseas. Residents commit to living and working in Canberra during processing and for two years after grant.

Sources: ACT Government: 190 Canberra resident eligibility

Overseas applicants: experience and realistic employability

The ordinary overseas pathway requires three years of full-time postgraduate experience in the nominated occupation during the previous five years, with relevant assessment and licensing requirements. You must research Canberra employment and provide an employment statement; vacancies requiring citizenship or security clearance may be unsuitable evidence.

You and migrating dependants generally must live overseas, have not lived in Australia during the previous year and hold no current Australian visa other than a visitor visa. The official rule has an exception for children enrolled at school in the ACT.

Check the higher 190 English requirement and its occupational exceptions. Prepare a personal Canberra commitment statement, settlement-funds evidence and the declaration covering at least two years living and working in Canberra after arrival.

Sources: ACT Government: 190 overseas applicant eligibility

Choose the correct occupation or special pathway

The general pathway uses the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List. Check the exact assessed code and any “491 only” restriction. The current page identifies its list as updated on 10 October 2025; an annual review does not necessarily produce a replacement.

Eligible ACT-university doctorate graduates and qualifying majority business owners have separate pathways. These are not blanket exemptions from federal eligibility. The detailed resident doctorate page also specifies 12 months in the ACT; check the subclass-specific criteria rather than relying on the shorter pathway summary.

Sources: ACT Government: nominated migration occupation list · ACT Government: nomination pathways · ACT Government: 190 Canberra resident eligibility

Prepare the application before an invitation

Start with a valid SkillSelect EOI, establish ACT eligibility, then submit the Matrix. Pay the Matrix fee within seven days. If invited, submit the nomination application and applicable fee within 14 days. Successful nomination triggers the separate federal invitation, with 60 days to apply for the visa.

Reconcile your EOI, Matrix and documents before submission. Create a claim register showing the relevant date, evidence file and any issue that needs advice.

• Keep complete assessments, English results, EOI responses and points advice.
• Match payslips and working-hours records to bank payments; retain residence and travel history.
• Check partner evidence, document expiry dates and the current fee schedule.

Sources: ACT Government: nomination application process · ACT Government: key documents checklist

Check ACT documents and evidence →

Compare ACT subclass 491 nomination →

How we can help

Ausdirect can assess your likely ACT pathway, reconcile the two points calculations and identify evidence gaps before you commit to an application.

Questions to consider

Your next step

Bring your occupation code, location and work timeline, EOI and visa-expiry date to a consultation. Share personal records through an agreed secure channel.