ACT Nomination 2026 — How the Canberra Matrix Works and What Score You Need

The Australian Capital Territory runs one of Australia's most structured state nomination systems. Unlike South Australia, which selects candidates from the national SkillSelect pool, the ACT uses its own separate scoring system called the Canberra Matrix. If you want ACT nomination, you need to understand how the Matrix works and what score you need to be competitive for your occupation.

This guide covers the current state of the ACT program for 2025-26, how the Matrix is calculated, what cut-off scores looked like in recent rounds, and how to apply from Canberra.

How Much of the 2025-26 Allocation Is Left

The ACT has a total of 1,600 nomination places for 2025-26, divided equally: 800 for the subclass 190 visa and 800 for the subclass 491 visa.

As of 13 March 2026, 639 places remained. The final round for the year is scheduled for the week of 4 May 2026. After that, no further rounds are expected until the new program year begins in July.

If you are planning to apply for ACT nomination, the May 2026 round is likely your last chance in the current program year.

The Canberra Matrix — What It Is and Why It Is Different

Most state nomination programs select from the national SkillSelect system based on your federal points score. The ACT does not work that way.

The Canberra Matrix is a separate, ACT-specific points system that ranks applicants on their connection to Canberra and their ability to contribute to the ACT economy. You need both a valid SkillSelect EOI and a submitted Canberra Matrix to be considered for ACT nomination. Submitting one does not register you for the other.

The federal minimum is 65 SkillSelect points. On top of that, the ACT requires an additional 5 points for a subclass 190 nomination or 15 points for a subclass 491 nomination.

But the Matrix score is what actually determines whether you receive an invitation in a given round. The ACT ranks all Matrix submissions in each occupation and issues invitations to the highest-ranked candidates until the monthly allocation is exhausted.

What the Canberra Matrix Scores

The Matrix awards points across several categories that reflect your ties to Canberra and your employability in the ACT labour market.

ACT residence is the biggest factor. Applicants who have lived in Canberra for five or more years score the highest in this category. The points scale down based on length of residence.

Employment in your nominated occupation adds significant points. Working in your exact nominated occupation for an ACT employer is the single largest contributor to a strong Matrix score. The ACT awards more points if your occupation is on the ACT Critical Skills List.

English proficiency adds points. Moving from Competent English to Proficient adds 5 points. Moving from Proficient to Superior adds another 5. Achieving Superior English (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent) makes a material difference to your Matrix score.

Qualifications from an ACT institution add points. Completing a degree at the Australian National University or the University of Canberra strengthens your score. PhD graduates from ACT universities qualify for the Doctorate Streamlined pathway, which allows them to apply even if their occupation is not on the ACT Migration Occupation List.

Partner or spouse details add points if your partner has a skills assessment, competent English, or ACT employment.

Close family ties in Canberra, property ownership, or business activity in the ACT can also contribute points.

What Cut-Off Scores Look Like by Occupation

The minimum Matrix score needed to receive an invitation varies significantly by occupation and whether you are a Canberra resident or an overseas applicant. These figures are based on the January and March 2026 invitation rounds.

Healthcare occupations (registered nurses, doctors, midwives, allied health) are consistently invited at the lowest scores. Canberra residents in healthcare have received invitations at Matrix scores of 60 to 75. Overseas applicants typically need 5 to 15 additional points.

Education occupations (teachers, early childhood educators) are similarly accessible, with cut-offs in the 70 to 85 range for Canberra residents.

Construction and trades (electricians, carpenters, plumbers, civil engineering technicians) have cut-offs in the range of 80 to 95 for most occupations.

Engineering professionals sit in the middle tier, typically requiring 90 to 110 for Canberra residents depending on the specific occupation.

ICT professionals (software engineers, developers, ICT managers) face the highest competition. Cut-offs in recent rounds have ranged from 115 to 130 for Canberra residents. For overseas ICT applicants, scores of 130 or higher are often needed.

Accountants have the highest cut-off of any occupation group. Canberra resident accountants applying for the subclass 191 (through 491 stream) have needed 125 points, and for the 190 stream as high as 135 points.

These are indicative figures based on recent rounds and will shift depending on the volume of applicants and remaining allocation. The ACT does not guarantee any minimum score.

The Five Nomination Categories

The ACT invites applicants through five distinct categories. Each has separate eligibility requirements and the invitations are issued separately within each category.

Critical Skills Canberra residents is the largest category by volume. You must be living and working in Canberra in an occupation on the ACT Migration Occupation List. In the March 2026 round, this category received 272 invitations (123 for 190 and 149 for 491).

Critical Skills overseas applicants is for skilled workers outside Australia. You must have your occupation on the ACT Migration Occupation List and typically need three or more years of post-qualification work experience. In March 2026, 145 invitations were issued in this category.

Small Business Owners is for applicants who own and operate a registered business in the ACT. The business must have been actively trading for at least 12 months with a minimum annual turnover of AUD 200,000. Cut-off scores in March 2026 were 105 for subclass 190 and 95 for subclass 491.

457 and 482 visa holders is for employer-sponsored workers in the ACT. You must have completed at least six months with your sponsoring ACT employer before submitting your Matrix.

Doctorate Streamlined is for PhD graduates from an ACT university. These applicants are exempt from the requirement to have their occupation on the ACT Migration Occupation List. In March 2026, 25 invitations were issued across this category.

Important Rules You Need to Know

The Matrix cannot be updated after submission. Once you submit, your score is locked. If your circumstances change, you must submit a new Matrix. Submitting a new Matrix does not cancel the old one automatically, but you cannot have two active submissions simultaneously.

The ACT issues subclass 491 invitations before subclass 190. This means that in most occupation groups, you need a higher Matrix score to receive a 190 invitation than a 491 invitation in the same round. Many applicants targeting the 190 are better served applying for 491 first, building more ACT residence time, and improving their score for a future 190 round.

A Canberra Matrix submission expires after six months if you have not received an invitation. If your Matrix expires, you must submit a new one.

Invitations are not issued if you have an active application in the system or if you have previously received ACT nomination.

How to Apply

Step one: Confirm your occupation is on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List. If you are a PhD graduate from an ACT university, this requirement does not apply to you.

Step two: Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. Select the ACT as your preferred state. Make sure your federal points score meets the 65-point minimum plus the 5-point or 15-point buffer required by the ACT.

Step three: Submit your Canberra Matrix through the ACT government migration portal. Ensure all claims are true and provable at the date of submission. Do not claim points you cannot document.

Step four: Wait for an invitation. If your Matrix score ranks highly enough in an invitation round, you will receive an Invitation to Apply. You will have 14 days to lodge your full nomination application.

Step five: If approved by the ACT government, South Australia or ACT will nominate you in SkillSelect, triggering a federal Invitation to Apply for the visa itself.

How Studynash Can Help

Studynash has an office in Canberra and our migration agents work with ACT applicants on Matrix submissions, nomination strategy, and 190 and 491 visa applications. We assess your Matrix score, identify where points can be legitimately improved, and help you submit a complete and accurate Matrix that can withstand the ACT's document review process.

With the final round of the 2025-26 program year approaching in May, time is short. Book a free assessment and we will review your Matrix score and tell you whether the May round is worth targeting.