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Canberra ACT Critical Skilled Occupation List

ACT Critical Skills List

The ACT Critical Skills List serves as a dynamic and strategic tool that outlines the occupations in high demand within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Designed to cater to the evolving needs of the regional economy, this list plays a pivotal role for individuals aspiring to secure an ACT nomination for certain skilled visa subclasses, namely the:

By aligning your occupation with those listed on the ACT Critical Skills List, you not only increase your eligibility for ACT nomination but also enhance your prospects of receiving additional points within the Canberra Matrix system. This scoring mechanism evaluates candidates based on factors like work experience, language proficiency, and education. Being associated with a critical occupation can boost your points and potentially expedite your visa application process.

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Maximum Number of Jobs

However, it’s essential to be mindful of the quotas established for each occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List. To manage the balance between demand and supply, the ACT government may impose monthly caps on the number of nominations available for specific professions. This means that if the cap for your nominated occupation has been met for a particular month, you might have to wait until the next month to submit your application. This emphasizes the significance of staying informed about the availability of nomination slots and planning your application timing accordingly.

ACT's Current List of Critical Skills

The ACT recognizes the fluid nature of skill requirements in a dynamic economy. As such, the Critical Skills List undergoes periodic updates to reflect the changing landscape of the ACT job market. The most recent update occurred on April 18, 2023, and this revised list applies to all Canberra Matrix submissions, irrespective of when they were lodged. This commitment to regular updates ensures that the ACT Migration Program remains responsive to the evolving needs of the territory, aligning with the start of each new fiscal year.

ANZSCO Unit Group Unit Group ANZSCO NOMINATED OCCUPATION
Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers 1311 131112 sales and marketing manager
131113 advertising manager
131114 public relations manager (491 only)
Corporate Services Managers 1321 132111 corporate services manager
Finance Managers 1322 132211 finance manager
Human Resource Managers 1323 132311 human resource manager
Policy and Planning Managers 1324 132411 policy and planning manager (491 only)
Construction Managers 1331 133111 construction project manager
133112 project builder (491 only)
Research and Development Managers 1325 132511 research and development manager
Engineering Managers 1332 133211 engineering manager
Production Managers  1335 133512 production manager (manufacturing)
Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers 1336 133611 supply and distribution manager
133612 procurement manager (491 only)
Child Care Centre Managers 1341 134111 child care centre manager
Health and Welfare Services Managers 1342 134211 medical administrator (491 only)
134212 nursing clinical director
134213 primary health organisation manager
134214 welfare centre manager
134299 health and welfare services managers (nec)
School Principals 1343 134311 school principal
Other Education Managers 1344 134412 regional education manager (491 only)
134499 education managers (nec)
ICT Managers 1351 135112 ICT project manager
135199 ICT managers (nec)
Other Specialist Managers 1399 139911 arts administrator or manager
139912 environmental manager
139913 laboratory manager
139914 quality assurance manager
139915 sports administrator (491 only)
139999 specialist managers (nec) except:
Cafe and Restaurant Managers 1411 141111 cafe or restaurant manager
Hotel and Motel Managers 1413 141311 hotel or motel manager
Other Accommodation and Hospitality Managers 1419 141999 accommodation and hospitality managers (nec)
Call or Contact Centre and Customer Service Managers 1492 149212 customer service manager
Conference and Event Organisers 1493 149311 conference and event organiser
Other Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers 1499 149912 cinema or theatre manager (491 only)
149913 facilities manager
149914 financial institution branch manager (491 only)
Journalists and Other Writers 2124 212411 copywriter
212412 newspaper or periodical editor
212413 print journalist
212415 technical writer
212416 television journalist
212499 journalists and other writers (nec)
Accountants 2211 221111 accountant (general)
221112 management accountant
221113 taxation accountant
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers 2212 221211 company secretary
221213 external auditor
221214 internal auditor
Financial Investment Advisers and Managers 2223 222311 financial investment adviser
222312 financial investment manager
Human Resource Professionals 2231 223111 human resource adviser (491 only)
223112 recruitment consultant
223113 workplace relations adviser (491 only)
ICT Trainers 2232 223211 ICT trainer
Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians 2241 224111 actuary
224112 mathematician
224113 statistician
Archivists, Curators and Records Managers 2242 224213 health information manager
Economists 2243 224311 economist
Intelligence and Policy Analysts 2244 224412 policy analyst (491 only)
Librarians 2246 224611 librarian
Management and Organisation Analysts 2247 224711 management consultant
224712 organisation and methods analyst
Other Information and Organisation Professionals 2249 224912 liaison officer (491 only)
224914 patents examiner
224999 information and organisation professionals (nec)
Advertising and Marketing Professionals 2251 225111 advertising specialist
225112 market research analyst (491 only)
225113 marketing specialist
ICT Sales Professionals 2252 225211 ICT account manager
225212 ICT business development manager
225213 ICT sales representative
Public Relations Professionals 2253 225311 public relations professional
Architects and Landscape Architects 2321 232111 architect
232112 landscape architect
Surveyors and Spatial Scientists 2322 232212 surveyor
232213 cartographer
232214 other spatial scientist
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators 2324 232411 graphic designer
232412 illustrator
232413 multimedia designer (491 only)
232414 web designer
Urban and Regional Planners 2326 232611 urban and regional planner
Chemical and Materials Engineers 2331 233111 chemical engineer
233112 materials engineer
Civil Engineering Professionals 2332 233211 civil engineer
233212 geotechnical engineer
233213 quantity surveyor
233214 structural engineer
233215 transport engineer
Electrical Engineers 2333 233311 electrical engineer
Electronics Engineers 2334 233411 electronics engineer
Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 2335 233511 industrial engineer
233512 mechanical engineer
233513 production or plant engineer
Other Engineering Professionals 2339 233911 aeronautical engineer
233912 agricultural engineer
233913 biomedical engineer
233914 engineering technologist
233915 environmental engineer
233916 naval architect
233999 engineering professionals (nec)
Environmental Scientists 2343 234311 conservation officer (491 only)
234312 environmental consultant
234313 environmental research scientist
234399 environmental scientist (nec)
Life Scientists 2345 234511 life scientist (general)
234513 biochemist
234514 biotechnologist
234515 botanist
234516 marine biologist
234517 microbiologist
234518 zoologist
234599 life scientists (nec)
Medical Laboratory Scientists 2346 234611 medical laboratory scientist
Veterinarians 2347 234711 veterinarian
Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals 2349 234911 conservator
234912 metallurgist
234913 meteorologist
234914 physicist
234915 exercise physiologist (491 only)
234999 natural and physical science professionals (nec)
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers 2411 241111 early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher
Primary School Teachers 2412 241213 primary school teacher
Middle School Teachers Intermediate School Teachers 2413 241311 middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ)
Secondary School Teachers 2414 241411 secondary school teacher
Special Education Teachers 2415 241511 special needs teacher
241512 teacher of the hearing impaired
241513 teacher of the sight impaired
241599 special education teachers (nec)
University Lecturers and Tutors 2421 242111 university lecturer
Vocational Education Teachers Polytechnic Teachers 2422 242211 vocational education teacher (491 only)
Education Advisers and Reviewers 2491 249111 education adviser
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages 2493 249311 teacher of English to speakers of
Nutrition Professionals 2511 251111 dietitian
251112 nutritionist
Medical Imaging Professionals 2512 251211 medical diagnostic radiographer
251212 medical radiation therapist
251213 nuclear medicine technologist
251214 sonographer
Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals 2513 251311 environmental health officer (491 only)
251312 occupational health and safety adviser
Optometrists and Orthoptists 2514 251411 optometrist
251412 orthoptist
Pharmacists 2515 251511 hospital pharmacist
251512 industrial pharmacist
251513 retail pharmacist
Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals 2519 251911 health promotion officer
251912 orthotist or prosthetist
251999 health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec)
Chiropractors and Osteopaths 2521 252111 chiropractor
252112 osteopath
Complementary Health Therapists 2522 252211 acupuncturist
252213 naturopath
252214 traditional Chinese medicine practitioner
252299 complementary health therapists (nec)
Dental Practitioners 2523 252311 dental specialist
252312 dentist (491 only)
Occupational Therapists 2524 252411 occupational therapist
Physiotherapists 2525 252511 physiotherapist
Podiatrists 2526 252611 podiatrist
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists Therapists 2527 252711 audiologist
252712 speech pathologist
General  Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers 2531 253111 general practitioner
253112 resident medical officer
Anaesthetists 2532 253211 anaesthetist (491 only)
Specialist Physicians 2533 253311 specialist physician (general medicine)
253312 cardiologist
253313 clinical haematologist
253314 medical oncologist
253315 endocrinologist
253316 gastroenterologist
253317 intensive care specialist
253318 neurologist
253321 paediatrician
253322 renal medicine specialist
253323 rheumatologist
253324 thoracic medicine specialist
253399 specialist physicians (nec)
Surgeons 2535 253511 surgeon (general)
253512 cardiothoracic surgeon
253513 neurosurgeon
253514 orthopaedic surgeon
253515 otorhinolaryngologist
253516 paediatric surgeon
253517 plastic and reconstructive surgeon
253518 urologist
253521 vascular surgeon
Psychiatrists 2534 253411 psychiatrist
Other Medical Practitioners 2539 253911 dermatologist
253912 emergency medicine specialist
253913 obstetrician and gynaecologist
253914 ophthalmologist
253915 pathologist
253917 diagnostic and interventional radiologist
253918 radiation oncologist
253999 medical practitioners (nec)
Midwives 2541 254111 midwife
Nurse Educators and Researchers 2542 254211 nurse educator
254212 nurse researcher
Nurse Managers 2543 254311 nurse manager
Registered Nurses 2544 254411 nurse practitioner
254412 registered nurse (aged care)
254413 registered nurse (child and family health)
254414 registered nurse (community health)
254415 registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
254416 registered nurse (developmental disability)
254417 registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
254418 registered nurse (medical)
254421 registered nurse (medical practice)
254422 registered nurse (mental health)
254423 registered nurse (perioperative)
254424 registered nurse (surgical)
254425 registered nurse (paediatrics)
254499 registered nurses (nec)
ICT Business and Systems Analysts 2611 261111 ICT business analyst
261112 systems analyst
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers 2612 261211 multimedia specialist
261212 web developer
Software and Applications Programmers 2613 261311 analyst programmer
261312 developer programmer
261313 software engineer
261314 software tester
261399 software and applications programmers (nec)
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists 2621 262111 database administrator
262112 ICT security specialist
262113 systems administrator
Computer Network Professionals 2631 263111 computer network and systems engineer
263112 network administrator
263113 network analyst
ICT Support and Test Engineers 2632 263211 ICT quality assurance engineer
263212 ICT support engineer
263213 ICT systems test engineer
263299 ICT support and test engineers (nec)
Telecommunications Engineering Professionals 2633 263311 telecommunications engineer
263312 telecommunications network engineer
Solicitors 2713 271311 solicitor
Counsellors 2721 272111 careers counsellor
272112 drug and alcohol counsellor
272113 family and marriage counsellor
272114 rehabilitation counsellor
272115 student counsellor
272199 counsellors (nec)
Psychologists 2723 272311 clinical psychologist
272312 educational psychologist
272313 organisational psychologist
272314 psychotherapist
272399 psychologists (nec)
Social Professionals 2724 272412 interpreter
272413 translator (491 only)
272499 social professionals (nec)
Social Workers 2725 272511 social worker
Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers 2726 272611 community arts worker (491 only)
272612 recreation officer
272613 welfare worker
Medical Technicians 3112 311211 anaesthetic technician
311212 cardiac technician
311213 medical laboratory technician
311214 operating theatre technician (491 only)
311215 pharmacy technician
311216 pathology collector (491 only)
311299 medical technicians (nec)
Science Technicians 3114 311411 chemistry technician
311412 earth science technician
311413 life science technician
311499 science technicians (nec)
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians 3121 312111 architectural draftsperson
312113 building inspector
312114 construction estimator (491 only)
312116 surveying or spatial science technician (491 only)
312199 architectural, building and surveying technicians (nec)
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians 3122 312211 civil engineering draftsperson
312212 civil engineering technician
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians 3123 312311 electrical engineering draftsperson
312312 electrical engineering technician
Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians 3125 312511 mechanical engineering draftsperson (491 only)
312512 mechanical engineering technician
Other Building and Engineering Technicians 3129 312911 maintenance planner (491 only)
312912 metallurgical or materials technician
312999 building and engineering technicians (nec) (491 only)
ICT Support Technicians 3131 313111 hardware technician
313112 ICT customer support officer
313113 web administrator
313199 ICT support technicians (nec)
Automotive Electricians 3211 321111 automotive electrician
Motor Mechanics 3212 321211 motor mechanic (general)
321212 diesel motor mechanic
321213 motorcycle mechanic
321214 small engine mechanic
Sheetmetal Trades Workers 3222 322211 sheetmetal trades worker
Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers 3223 322311 metal fabricator
322312 pressure welder
322313 welder (first class)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers 3231 323111 aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics)
323112 aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical)
323113 aircraft maintenance engineer
Metal Fitters and Machinists 3232 323211 fitter (general)
323212 fitter and turner
323213 fitter-welder
323214 metal machinist (first class)
323299 metal fitters and machinists (nec)
Precision Metal Trades Workers 3233 323313 locksmith
323314 precision instrument maker and repairer
Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers 3234 323412 toolmaker
Panelbeaters 3241 324111 panelbeater
Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers 3242 324211 vehicle body builder
324212 vehicle trimmer
Vehicle Painters 3243 324311 vehicle painter (491 only)
Bricklayers and Stonemasons 3311 331111 bricklayer
331112 stonemason
Carpenters and Joiners 3312 331211 carpenter and joiner
331212 carpenter
331213 joiner
Floor Finishers 3321 332111 floor finisher (491 only)
Painting Trades Workers 3322 332211 painting trades worker
Glaziers 3331 333111 glazier
Plasterers 3332 333211 fibrous plasterer
333212 solid plasterer
Roof Tilers 3333 333311 roof tiler
Wall and Floor Tilers 3334 333411 wall and floor tiler
Plumbers 3341 334111 plumber (general)
334112 airconditioning and mechanical services plumber
334113 drainer
334114 gasfitter
334115 roof plumber
Electricians 3411 341111 electrician (general)
341112 electrician (special class)
341113 lift mechanic
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics 3421 342111 airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic
Electrical Distribution Trades Workers 3422 342211 electrical linesworker (491 only)
342212 technical cable jointer
Electronics Trades Workers 3423 342311 business machine mechanic
342313 electronic equipment trades worker
342314 electronic instrument trades worker (general)
342315 electronic instrument trades worker (special class)
Bakers and Pastrycooks 3511 351111 baker
351112 pastrycook
Chefs 3513 351311 chef
Cooks 3514 351411 cook
Animal Attendants and Trainers 3611 361111 dog handler or trainer
361112 horse trainer
361114 zookeeper (491 only)
361199 animal attendants and trainers (nec)
Veterinary Nurses 3613 361311 veterinary nurse
Gardeners 3622 362211 gardener (general)
362212 arborist
362213 landscape gardener
Hairdressers 3911 391111 hairdresser
Upholsterers 3933 393311 upholsterer
Cabinetmakers 3941 394111 cabinetmaker
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics 4111 411111 ambulance officer
411112 intensive care ambulance paramedic
Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists 4112 411211 dental hygienist (491 only)
411213 dental technician
411214 dental therapist (491 only)
Diversional Therapists 4113 411311 diversional therapist
Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses 4114 411411 enrolled nurse
Massage Therapists 4116 411611 massage therapist
Welfare Support Workers 4117 411711 community worker
411712 disabilities services officer
411713 family support worker
411715 residential care officer
411716 youth worker
Fire and Emergency Workers 4412 441211 emergency service worker (491 only)
Other Personal Service Workers 4518 451815 first aid trainer (491 only)
Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials 4523 452312 gymnastics coach or instructor
452313 horse riding coach or instructor
452314 snowsport instructor
452315 swimming coach or instructor
452316 tennis coach
452317 other sports coach or instructor
452321 sports development officer
Contract, Program and Project Administrators 5111 511111 contract administrator
511112 program or project administrator
Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers 5999 599915 clinical coder (491 only)
Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors 5996 599612 insurance loss adjuster
Real Estate Sales Agents 6121 612112 property manager (491 only)
612115 real estate representative (491 only)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)


Due to ongoing demand, the ACT SOL lists occupations in sectors like healthcare, IT, and engineering, focusing on roles like registered nurses, software developers, and civil engineers.

Yes, both offshore and onshore applicants can apply, although applicants already residing and working in ACT may have additional points advantages.

The list is reviewed annually, with periodic updates based on current market demands. Checking the ACT official website for the latest information is recommended.

Applicants must demonstrate occupation relevance, meet specific criteria set by the ACT, and provide a skills assessment relevant to their field.



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