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ACT State Nomination 190 and 491 Visa 2024-2025

In this blog, we will discuss ACT nomination criteria for visa subclass 190 for the 2024-2025 financial year.


To be eligible for an ACT nomination, you must meet the Australian Department of Home Affairs and ACT’s criteria for your chosen visa category.

The Home Affairs criteria require you to:

  • Have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;

  • Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;

  • Be under 45 years of age;

  • Meet the minimum English language requirement of Competent unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority.


ACT has 4 Nominations pathways:

  • Canberra residents

  • Overseas applicants

  • Doctorate Streamlined nomination

  • Significant economic benefit

You may be invited to apply for ACT nomination if we think your employment is of significant economic benefit to the Territory and you do not meet the current eligibility criteria. You cannot request or apply for this pathway. The invitation can ONLY be initiated by the ACT government.


ACT Resident Pathway for 190 and 491 Visa:


You must meet one of the following for both 190 and 491 Visa nomination:

  • Your nominated occupation must be on the ACT Critical Skills List.

  • You must be the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer, worked in the nominated occupation for the sponsoring employer in Canberra for the last six months.

  • You must be the majority owner of an eligible registered business in ACT, claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category.


Business Types Not Eligible:

  • Sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.


Residence in Canberra:

  • For 190 Nomination – must have lived in Canberra for at least six months at Canberra Matrix submission and continue until the date of invitation.

  • For 491 Nomination – must have lived in Canberra for at least three months at Matrix submission and until the invitation.

  • ACT banking activity recorded in bank statements/transaction history.

  • May live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW (e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong).

Employment in Canberra:

  • Worked in Canberra for at least 26 weeks for 190 nomination and for 491 Nomination must have worked in Canberra for at least 13 weeks.

  • Worked for multiple employers, be self-employed, and/or a Small Business Owner.

  • Meet overall hourly or earnings requirements.


Employee:

  • For 190 nomination: Must have worked a minimum of 30 hours per week in at least 26 out of 30 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.

  • For 491 Nomination: Must have worked a minimum of 15 hours/week in at least 13 out of 15 weeks before Matrix submission.

  • You will need income/salary payments recorded in payslips and bank statements/transaction history.

  • You must have a genuine position in accordance with Australian terms and conditions of employment.

  • Weekly income must meet the relevant award or market salary rate.

  • Unpaid employment will not be eligible.

  • Employer statutory declaration confirming a genuine employment position will be required.


Self-employed (not claiming Small Business Owner points):

  • Total (taxable) income must be at least $1000 per week in at least 26 out of 30 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission for 190 nomination.

  • For 491 Nomination: Total taxable income must be at least $520/week in at least 13 out of 15 weeks before Matrix submission.

  • At least 12 months of ACT business activity on ABN.

  • Statutory declaration confirming ABN, business location, start date, duties, and annual income.


Small Business Owner:

  • Must be eligible to claim Canberra Matrix points.

  • Statutory declaration confirming business activity details, ABN, employee details, business location, start date, duties, and annual income.


English:

  • For 190 Nomination: Meet Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Proficient' or 'Superior' English unless:

  • Occupation is Chef (351311).

  • Occupation has ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5.

  • For 491 Nomination:

  • Meet Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Competent' English unless a higher level is required by the assessing authority.

For both 190 and 491 Visa stream applicants will have to commit to Canberra:

  • Sign a declaration to live/work in Canberra while the visa is processed and for at least two years from visa grant.

  • Spouse/partner must be a Canberra resident for at least three months or living overseas.

  • Proof of relationship required to claim Matrix points for spouse/partner.

  • Spouse/partner must meet the 'Competent' English requirement or hold an Australian passport.


190 Nomination - Overseas applicant eligibility for 190 and 491 Visa:


Nominated Occupation must be on the latest ACT Critical Skills List.

Relevant Overseas Work Experience:

  • At least three years of full-time, post-graduate work experience in the nominated occupation in the last five years for 190 Visa nomination.

  • At least one year of full-time, post-graduate work experience in the nominated occupation in the last five years for 491 Visa nomination is required.

  • Work experience must be assessed as relevant by the assessing body in points-tested skill assessment.

  • Skills and experience relevant to the ACT economy.

  • Hold relevant Australian registration or license if required.


English:

  • For 190 Visa Nomination: Meet Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Proficient' or 'Superior' English unless:

  • Occupation is Chef (351311).

  • Occupation has ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5.

  • For 491 Visa nomination:

  • Meet Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Competent' English unless a higher level is required by the assessing authority.

ACT Employability:

  • Researched ACT labor market and satisfied you are employable in Canberra.

  • May not be eligible for Australian Government positions due to citizenship/security clearance.

  • Attach an employment statement explaining research and confirming employability in Canberra, including recent job vacancies.


Commitment to Canberra:

  • Researched Canberra and committed to living in the ACT.

  • Attach a commitment statement explaining why you want to live in Canberra.

  • Sign a declaration committing to live and work in Canberra for at least two years from arrival in Australia.


Residency:

  • You and any migrating dependents (except children enrolled in school in ACT):

  • Living overseas.

  • Not lived in Australia for the last 12 months.

  • Do not hold a current Australian visa (or bridging visa) except an Australian visitor visa.

Settlement Funds:

  • Access to sufficient money for migration and settlement in Canberra.


Spouse/Partner (if claiming Canberra Matrix points):

  • Proof of relationship: marriage certificate or civil partnership/union certificate.

  • For ACT nomination, a de facto relationship is accepted only if a legal certificate cannot be obtained in your country.

  • Spouse/partner must meet the 'Competent' English requirement or hold an Australian passport.


Doctorate streamlined nomination


Canberra resident

You are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you have:

  • Lived in Canberra for at least 12 months at the time of invitation.

  • Completed a professional or research doctoral degree at an ACT university.


Interstate resident

If you are living in another state or territory, you are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you were awarded a professional or research doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.


Overseas applicant

If you are living overseas, you are eligible to apply for ACT doctorate streamlined nomination if you were awarded a professional or research doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last two years.

Once you are satisfied that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can register your interest in applying for ACT nomination by completing the Canberra Matrix. If you need any help regarding the Canberra nomination, please book a consultation.



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Disclaimer:

The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education on social media and blogs is for general informational purposes only. (The information is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change.) It is not legal or immigration advice and should not be relied upon as such.


If you need immigration advice specific to your circumstances, please book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent.

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