Canberra Invites 1425 applicants to the latest Matrix Draw

The Australian government held its fourth (4) Canberra Matrix invitation round of 2023 in April. 1425 invites were sent to applicants who were both Canberra residents and international applicants during this invitation round.

615 of the total candidates asked to apply for nominations in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were Canberra residents, while the remaining 810 invitations were sent to applicants from overseas.

Applicants having applied under Visa Subclass 491 and Visa Subclass 190 were invited whereas 722 applicants from Subclass 190 and 703 applicants from Subclass 491 were given invitations.

Canberra Residents

Matrix nominating Small Business Owners

• 190 nominations: 20 invitations
• 190 minimum matrix score: 70
• 491 nominations: 4 invitation
• 491 minimum matrix score: 60

Matrix nominating 457/482 visa holders

• 190 nominations: 4 invitations
• 491 nominations: 2 invitation

Matrix-nominating Critical Skill Occupations

• 190 nominations: 297 invitations
• 491 nominations: 288 invitations

Overseas Applicants

Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations:

• 190 nominations: 401 invitations
• 491 nominations: 409 invitations

2022-2023 Allocation of ACT Nomination Places:

• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 2,025 places
• Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 2,025 places

Application Count as of 23 April 2023

Total approvals: 2681 approvals

• 190 Nominations: 1246 approvals
• 491 Nominations: 1435 approvals

Total refusals: 471 applications

• 190 Nominations: 131 refusals (9%)
• 491 Nominations: 385 refusals (21%)

Remaining Allocation 2022-2023

Total allocation remaining: 1369 nomination places (622 per month)

• 190 Nominations: 779 (pro rata 354 per month)
• 491 Nominations: 590 (pro rata 268 per month)

Who can apply?

Applicants who have applied for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) will get the invite from Canberra.

Visa Subclass 190:

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) enables permanent residents to live and work in Australia. You must be proposed by the government of a State or Territory. The Department of Home Affairs issues the invitation for a visa in response to a nomination.

Two-year commitment:

If the ACT recommends you for a 190 visa, you must reside and work in Canberra for at least two years after receiving your visa, or two years after your date of arrival in Canberra if you are migrating from outside.

Visa Subclass 491:

For five years, skilled workers can reside and work in regional Australia with the Skilled Regional Work Visa (subclass 491). A state or territorial administration must propose to you. The Department of Home Affairs issues the invitation for a visa in response to a nomination.

Two-year commitment:

If the ACT recommends you for a 491 visa, you must reside and work in Canberra for at least two years after receiving your visa, or two years after your date of arrival in Canberra if you are migrating from abroad.

What is the ACT nomination process?

• Step 1: Meet the ACT nomination eligibility criteria
• Step 2: Register your interest by completing the Canberra Matrix
• Step 3: Wait for your Matrix to be selected and ranked
• Step 4: Apply for ACT nomination if invited
• Step 5: They assess your application
• Step 6: Apply for the ACT-nominated visa

How to submit the Canberra Matrix?

• Step 1: Be sure you are qualified to claim Matrix points by carefully reading the ACT nomination requirements for your selected pathway.
• Step 2: Feed in your personal information.
• Step 3: Choose between nominating ACT 491 or ACT 190.
• Step 4: Choose whether the applicant is a resident of Canberra or not.
• Step 5: Choose “Doctorate Streamlined nomination” with a yes/no answer.
• Step 6: Submit the Matrix if Doctorate Streamlined = yes.
• Step 7: Fill out the Canberra Matrix if you fall under either the foreign applicant’s category or residents of Canberra.
• Step 8: For either Matrix category, choose one option from the drop-down menu (does not apply to (Doctorate Streamlined).
  Note: Keep in mind that your supporting documents must demonstrate that your claims for Matrix points were accurate as of the Matrix submission date.

Submitting the Matrix Once you have submitted the Matrix, you will receive a summary of the Matrix Score claimed via email.