ACT Nomination Guidelines Simplified.
Recent ACT Government changes to the Canberra matrix will make it easier for applicants in or outside of Australia to access a SC 190 or 491 visa pathway and here is why.
Through consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Migration Institute of Australia, the ACT government has reviewed and updated the ACT Nomination Guidelines. These changes were predominantly driven by continuing skills shortages in the ACT.
The updates focus on making it easier for prospective migrants to apply for ACT nomination. They include clarifying language and current policies where necessary.
Below is a summary of the key changes for our clients’ easy reference. This list only includes key policy changes, it does not include instances where language has been adjusted to clarify current policy settings. Please note, it is a summary only.
One significant key change to the Canberra Matrix scoring for overseas applicants is the change in the ‘relevant overseas work experience’ category. Applicants who have submitted a Canberra Matrix and can now claim additional points are encouraged to submit a new Canberra Matrix.
Summary of key changes to the ACT Nomination Guidelines for Canberra Residents
- Employment Criteria have been eased for ACT nomination of a 491 and 190 visa.
- The minimum hourly requirement an applicant must work per week has been reduced (from 20 to 15 for a 491 and from 35 to 30 for a 190).
- Employment does not need to be fully continuous. Applicants need to meet the
- Employment requirements for a set number of weeks in each given period (13 weeks out of 15 for a 491 and 26 out of 30 for a 190).
- The minimum required English level has been lowered for those applicants applying for ACT Nomination for a 491 visa.
- Applicants can now obtain ACT nomination for a 491 visa with ‘Competent’ English at the date of Canberra Matrix submission.
- The minimum threshold for 482 visa holders has been reduced.
- Applicants can now receive an invitation at 60 points.
- Applicants can claim Matrix points for length of ACT residence when they have been away from Canberra for more than six weeks under certain conditions.
- Applicants claiming more than 2 years of ACT residence can be away from Canberra for up to 12 weeks in a year.
- Applicants can claim Canberra Matrix points for the length of ACT residence when they have previously worked in Regional NSW (within commuting distance from the ACT) while living in the ACT.
- Someone can claim ACT residence points for any period they were living in Canberra while working in Queanbeyan (for example) in addition to being able to claim points for any period they are living in Queanbeyan while working in Canberra.
- Please note: the eligibility criteria have not changed, applicants must still work in Canberra at the date of Canberra Matrix submission to be eligible for ACT nomination.
- The renomination policy has been amended.
Summary of key changes to the ACT Nomination Guidelines for Overseas Residents
- Employment Criteria have been eased for ACT nomination of a 491 and 190 visa:
- Applicants no longer need to be employed at the date of Canberra Matrix submission.
- Applicants for ACT nomination of a 491 visa now need to have 1 year of relevant overseas work experience in the last five years.
- Applicants for ACT nomination of a 190 visa no longer need a job offer, but instead three years of relevant overseas work experience in the last five years as well as an employability statement.
- The minimum required English level has been lowered for those applicants applying for ACT Nomination for a 491 visa.
- Applicants can now obtain ACT nomination for a 491 visa with ‘Competent’ English at the date of Canberra Matrix submission
- Relationship requirements for overseas applicants have been adjusted.
- Applicants can claim points for a partner or spouse if they are in a de facto relationship if it is illegal for them to obtain a relationship certificate in their country of origin. A waiver must be requested beforehand.
- Points awarded for relevant overseas work experience have been adjusted.
- Applicants claiming three to five years of relevant overseas work experience can now claim 10 points instead of 5 and those claiming five to eight years of overseas work experience can now claim 15 points instead of 10.
- The criteria to claim points for an ACT job offer have been amended.
- It is now easier for applicants to claim points for an ACT job offer, for specifics please consult the guidelines.
- Criteria to claim points for a spouse or partner’s employment have been amended.
- The applicant’s spouse or partner no longer needs to be employed at date of Canberra Matrix submission.
- The renomination policy has been amended.
The newly updated guidelines are expected to be released between 24 April and 28 April 2023 and will take immediate effect once they are published on the ACT Migration official website. It is important to note that the previous policy will not be applied retroactively. This means that a Canberra Matrix submitted in the last six months will be assessed against the new ACT Nomination Guidelines.
The changes made to the guidelines will make it easier to apply for ACT nomination. As such, clients waiting in the queue are unlikely to be negatively impacted. Applications that were refused where a decision has been made after 20 March 2023 that would have been approved were the new guidelines in effect, can submit a request for reconsideration.
ACT Government advises that this is an initial easement of the ACT nomination guidelines. Further changes may follow depending on the impact of these revised guidelines and next year’s allocation. They will endeavour to provide migrants with as much notice as possible, but changes may occur at short notice.
If you believe you have been impacted by the new changes or wish to learn how these new guidelines will apply to your future ACT Nomination application, book an appointment today. Our registered migration agents are ready to assist you.