If you are planning to apply for an Australian residency through the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Nomination program, understanding the visa pathways available under subclass 190 (Permanent residency) and 491 (Provisional residency) is essential. At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, our expert migration agents can help you navigate the application process to maximise your chance of success.
The ACT offers nomination for two visa subclasses:
ACT nomination is managed through the Canberra Matrix, a merit-based points system that assesses your potential contribution to the ACT economy and community.
If you currently live in Canberra:
You cannot apply through this pathway if you or any dependants are living or working interstate or overseas.
If you are living outside Australia:
Note: You and any dependants must be outside Australia (except for children enrolled in ACT schools).
For PhD graduates from an ACT university:
In exceptional cases, the ACT may invite candidates who do not meet standard eligibility but whose work provides substantial economic benefit. This pathway cannot be requested; invitations are solely at the discretion of the ACT Government.
The Canberra Matrix is a media-based system that is used to assess and rank applicants based on:
Only the highest-ranked applicants per occupation group are invited to apply for nomination.
Review the ACT nomination guidelines based on your residency status and visa type or book a consultation with our skilled nominated visa migration agent in Canberra for expert visa eligibility advice and assistance.
If your ACT nomination is approved, your SkillSelect EOI will be updated, and you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to apply for your visa. You have 60 days to submit your visa application.
At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, we offer a comprehensive service that supports you through every stage of the ACT nomination process in Canberra. We remove the stress from the application by ensuring that all documentation is complete, accurate, and substantiates your claims to meet the nomination criteria.
A common question we get asked at Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services is:
“Can I express interest in both subclass 190 and 491 visas through the ACT Nomination pathway?”
The answer is yes—you can submit a Canberra Matrix for both subclasses. However, you cannot hold more than one active invitation at a time. If you receive an invitation for one visa, the other Matrix will not be considered while that invitation is active.
Given that ACT only allows one nomination place per person, being strategic is essential.
We can help you strategise how to approach applying for both, and determine which Canberra Matrix is more likely to be ranked based on your individual profile.
Book a consultation and make your pathway to migration as smooth and successful as possible.
With complex eligibility criteria and strict documentation requirements, expert guidance can make all the difference. At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, we provide:
Do not risk a refusal due to avoidable mistakes.
Ready to start your ACT nomination journey? Speak with one of our registered migration agents to maximise your chances of securing a subclass 190 or 491 visa through Canberra.
Your pathway to permanent residency in Australia starts here!
