The ACT Skilled Migration Program is a significant contributor to the ACT’s economy and population growth. The aim of the Program is to attract and retain talented people, to build the workforce profile, strengthen and diversify the local economy. The ACT nomination program is aimed at applicants who can demonstrate economic contribution or benefit and/or a genuine commitment to been part of the ACT community as demonstrated by long term ACT residence.
The ACT offers nomination of a Skilled Nominated (permanent) subclass 190 visa and a Skilled Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa.
These guidelines explain how to express interest in applying for ACT nomination by completing a score-based ‘Canberra Matrix’. The Matrix allocates points against demonstrated economic contribution or benefit, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence/study, investment activity and close family ties. All Matrix scores are then ranked with the highest-ranked candidates invited to apply for ACT nomination.
Please note: You must read the ACT nomination guidelines carefully. If you are invited to apply for ACT nomination, your supporting documents must evidence your eligibility and all Matrix points claimed at the date of Matrix submission.
How to complete the Canberra Matrix
- Migration agents acting on behalf of a client must register and create an ACT agents account. The Canberra Matrix can be accessed from the ACT agent portal.
- Individual candidates not using a migration agent are not required to create an account. The Canberra Matrix can be accessed at the Canberra Create Your Future
Enter your personal information; select either ACT 491 nomination or ACT 190 nomination; select a Matrix score in each of the categories. Your supporting documentation must evidence your eligibility for ACT nomination and all claims for Matrix points at the date of Matrix submission.
Once you submit the Matrix, you will receive an email with a summary of the Matrix score claimed. The Matrix cannot be updated or withdrawn once it is submitted. If your circumstances change and your claimed points increase/decrease, you must complete a new Matrix; noting that your submission date/time will also change.
The Matrix will automatically expire six months after submission if an invitation is not issued. Once a Matrix has lapsed, it cannot be reactivated.
Eligibility Criteria:
Canberra Resident 491 – you must meet the following criteria before you are eligible to submit a Canberra matrix for ACT nomination of a Skilled Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa:
- You must be residing in Canberra for at least three months immediately before the date of Matrix submission and continuing until date of any invitation. Residence is defined as living and settled in Canberra. Visiting Canberra for short periods does not meet the residence criteria.
- You must be working in Canberra for at least three months immediately before the date of Matrix submission:
- You must have worked a minimum 20 hours per week for the thirteen weeks immediately before date of Matrix submission. While the employment does not have to be permanent, it must be continuous. Paid annual or personal leave meets the employment criteria. Any claim for unpaid leave (including maternity leave) must be evidenced by a valid medical certificate.
- You must be in paid employment. Internships, stipends, scholarships and volunteer positions are not considered employment for this criterion.
- Your employer must be actively operating in the ACT for at least one The terms and conditions of employment must be in accordance with Australian legislation. Your taxable income must not be less than the relevant award or market salary rate.
- You may work for more than one ACT employer and / or be self- employed. If you are self-employed on an ABN, you must have at least 12 months ACT business activity at date of Matrix submission. Your taxable income must be at least $500 pw for each week of the employment period claimed.
- If you are employed by a NSW employer in the ‘ACT Region’, you must demonstrate that your work activity is solely located in the ACT.
- You can nominate any occupation on the ACT Occupation List, even if that occupation is closed:
- Occupation caveats: certain open occupations on the ACT Occupation List have an employment caveat. If you do not comply with a caveat e.g. have a one year employment contract at date of matrix submission, the occupation is deemed to be closed.
- If the occupation is closed, or deemed to be closed, you cannot claim Canberra Matrix points in the Nominated Occupation category; nor can you claim points for either you or your spouse/partner for employability in an open occupation.
- If you are nominating an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Managers) or Group 2 (Professionals) occupation, you must have a current English test result that meets the Home Affairs level of ‘proficient’ or ‘superior’ English.
- If you are including a spouse/partner and/or children in your application and they are in Australia, they must have lived in Canberra for the three months immediately before the date of Matrix submission. If they are not living in Canberra, you must attach evidence of their location.
- If you wish to claim Matrix points for a spouse/partner, you must evidence the relationship at date of matrix submission: either a marriage certificate, civil partnership/union registration, or VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) secondary applicant status for yourself or spouse/partner.
- If you wish to claim Matrix points in the spouse/partner employment category, your spouse/partner must hold a current English test result with a competent or higher level of English; or hold an Australian or valid passport as defined by Home Affairs.
- You must sign a Statutory Declaration committing to continuing to live and work in Canberra for at least two years from date of visa grant .
Please note: You are not eligible for ACT nomination if you, your spouse/partner or children are living or working in another Australian state or territory.
Overseas applicant 491 – you must meet the following eligibility criteria before you can complete the Canberra Matrix for ACT nomination of a Skilled Regional (provisional) subclass 491 visa:
- You can nominate any occupation on the ACT Occupation List, even if that occupation is closed:
- Occupation caveats: certain open occupations on the ACT Occupation List have an employment caveat. If you do not comply with a caveat e.g. have an ACT job offer, the occupation is deemed to be closed.
- If the occupation is closed or deemed to be closed, you cannot claim Matrix points in the ‘Nominated Occupation’ category; nor can you claim points for either you or your spouse/partner for employability in an open
- You must have a current English test result that meets the Home Affairs level of
- ‘proficient’ or ‘superior’ English.
- Your skills and at least 12 months continuous experience (within the last three years) in the nominated occupation must be relevant to the ACT economy. Experience in heavy industry, manufacturing, production, mining; shipping, gas and oil; head office banking and railways for example, are not generally considered relevant industries given the structure of the ACT economy, which is primarily knowledge-based.
- You must demonstrate employability in Canberra by providing evidence of research into sufficient ACT employment opportunities in your nominated occupation, relevant to your skill set and experience (see Page 25: Employability for overseas residents).
- If you are claiming Matrix points for a spouse/partner, you must have evidence of the relationship at date of matrix submission: marriage certificate or civil partnership/union registration.
- If you are claiming points in the spouse / partner employment category your spouse / partner must hold a valid English test result at a minimum level of ‘competent’ English; or hold an Australian or a valid passport as defined by Home Affairs.
- You must sign a statutory declaration committing to living and working in Canberra for at least two years from date of arrival in Australia (see Attachment A).
- You must have access to sufficient financial assets to fund your migration and settlement in Canberra while you seek employment. You need to be realistic about employment expectations once you arrive in Canberra as it can take, on average, up to six months to secure employment. This timeframe is only indicative, as the economy and employment market can vary considerably throughout the year.
- You and/or any dependents must not be the holder of a current Australian visa (or bridging visa), except an Australian visitor visa.
- You must be overseas at date of Matrix submission and, if ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination, you must be overseas at date of application for ACT nomination.
Please note: You are not eligible for ACT 190 nomination if you, your spouse/partner or children are living or have lived in another Australian state or territory within the last twelve months at date of matrix submission.
Processing Time:
Applications for ACT nomination – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa
• Streamlined PhD nomination: the average processing time is 1 week.
• Canberra / overseas residents: the average processing time is 6 weeks.
Applicants should note that these time frames may vary depending on demand.
We are currently assigning (to a case officer) applications lodged on: 24 October 2019
Applications for RCB support of an employer nomination
The average processing time is 2 months. Applicants should note that this timeframe may vary depending on demand.
We are currently assigning (to a case officer) applications for RCB support lodged on 28 October 2019
Fees:
The ACT charges a service fee for processing applications as shown below in Australian dollars.
These fees are not refundable – please ensure you meet the ACT’s eligibility requirements and have included all supporting documentation with your application to avoid disappointment.
ACT nomination – Skilled visa
Application for ACT nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: $300
RCB support – Employer Nomination
Application for Regional Certifying Body (RCB) support of an employer nomination: $300
