The Australian Migration Program’s state/territory nominated stream gives the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government the flexibility to address the labor market demands and skills shortages in the Territory.
You can live and work in Australia as a permanent resident with the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). The nomination must come from a state or territory government.
Two-year commitment: If you are selected by the ACT to apply for a 190 visa, you are required to live and work in Canberra for at least two years beginning on the date your visa is granted, or, if you are migrating from abroad, on the date you arrive in Canberra.
How to Submit an ACT 190 Nomination Form?
When applying for ACT 190 nomination, you will need to complete a “Canberra Matrix” which calculates points based on specific criteria, such as skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of residence/study, investment activity, and close family ties. Based on how many points you have claimed, we will rank your matrix. The top scorers will be given the opportunity to submit an ACT nomination application.
The Canberra Matrix is weighted to increase the likelihood that candidates who will make/have made a significant economic contribution to the Territory and/or who have shown a sincere dedication to the ACT will be ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination.
ACT 190 Nomination Requirements
When you are certain that you have completed all the requirements, you can submit the Canberra Matrix.
Even if you meet the qualifications, there is no assurance that you will be asked to submit an application for ACT 190 nomination. The number of nomination slots available for ACT 190 is far insufficient to meet the demand.
Eligibility of Overseas Applicants
If you are residing abroad and wish to submit an application for ACT nomination for a Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), you must be in compliance with certain requirements at the time the Canberra Matrix is submitted.
Among them are the following:
- You are employed full-time in your designated profession.
- If an Australian registration or license is necessary for your chosen occupation, you already possess it.
ACT Employment Offer: You have been given a full-time work offer in your designated field. The job must be in Canberra and open for at least two years. The employer:
- Must be a medium-to-large Australian business with 50 or more workers that are currently doing business in Canberra.
- It is not permitted to conduct business from a serviced office, home, or online.
- To hire a talented worker from abroad, there must be a legitimate need.
- It must show that the position is necessary for the operation and cannot be filled from the local labor pool.
Employer statutory declaration: According to Australian law, your ACT employer MUST certify that:
- You will have a legitimate position in Canberra.
- The role is important to the business’s operations.
- A minimum of two years must pass since the start of employment.
- They have searched the labor market for a permanent resident or an Australian citizen to fill the role, but they have been unsuccessful.
English: You possess “proficient” or “superior” English, as defined by the Department of Home Affairs, or you are in possession of a valid passport from one of the following countries: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.
Spouse/partner:
- You need a marriage certificate or a civil partnership/union certificate as confirmation of your relationship if you want to claim Matrix points for your spouse or partner. A claim of a de facto relationship is not accepted by the ACT.
- Your spouse or partner must either possess an Australian passport or be deemed to have “competent” English by the Department of Home Affairs in order for you to claim Matrix points in the spouse or partner work category.
Overseas Resident: You and any moving dependents (apart from kids taking the ACT in school):
- Are residing abroad.
- Over the past year, I have not resided in Australia.
- Do not currently possess an Australian visa (or bridging visa), with the exception of a visiting visa to Australia.
Commitment to Canberra: Canberra and our great way of life have been thoroughly explored by you.
- An explanation of your future plans and a commitment statement outlining why you desire to live in Canberra must be included with your application. Your own words must be used to compose the declaration.
- You must sign a statement promising to reside and work in Canberra for at least two years following the date of your legal entry into Australia.
Settlement Funds
You have access to enough cash to pay for your move to Canberra and the establishment there.
Application Processing Fees
ACT charges a non-refundable service fee of AUD $300, to process the submitted applications.
