ACT migration programs in 2025: How the Canberra pathway works

Canberra Resident pathway 

For applicants living in Canberra (or within a reasonable commute in NSW), they can apply for both 491 and 190 visa subclasses. To be eligible for these visas, applicants need to have valid skills assessment and meet English score, recent residence and employment requirements. Moreover, depending on the visa, they must meet extra criteria in order to qualify for Canberra resident pathway. The service fee is $300.  

• 491 visa (Canberra residents): To be apply for this visa subclass, you must have at least 3 months’ ACT residence and 13 weeks of work (with detailed rules for employee, self-employed, or small-business owner). English is generally Competent (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) unless your assessing authority requires more. You must also sign a commitment to live and work in Canberra for at least two years after your visa is granted.   

• 190 visa (Canberra residents): To be apply for this visa subclass, you must have at least 6 months’ ACT residence and 26 weeks of work (you must work at least 30 hours per week and get paid no less than the relevant award or market rate). English is normally Proficient (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) or Superior (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent), except for certain occupations (e.g., Chef and ANZSCO skill levels 3-5).  

Overseas Applicant pathway 

If you (and migrating family members) are outside Australia, you can be invited through the Overseas stream. You can apply for this stream only if your nominated occupation is on the current ACT Occupation List. You will also need to meet recent, post-qualification work experience requirement (≥1 year for 491; ≥3 years for 190), valid English certificate, employability research for Canberra, commitment to settle in this state and have sufficient funds to settle in. The service fee is $300. Below are details for each visa stream:  

491 (Overseas):  

• Your occupation need to be on the ACT occupation on list 

• You must have at least 1 year relevant work that is related to your occupation in last 5 years, and  

• You must have at least English Competent (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), or higher if the assessing body/occupation demands it.  

190 (Overseas):  

• Your occupation must be on the ACT occupation list 

• You must have at least 3 years relevant work (related to your occupation) in last 5 years 

• English generally Proficient (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent) /Superior (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent) with limited exceptions.  

Doctorate Streamlined pathway (new 2025 guideline) 

Canberra is attracting high qualification skilled workers to migrate to this state. If you completed a professional or research doctorate at an ACT university, there will be a simplified route for you.  

• What is the pathway for Doctorate candidates?  

You don’t need to go through a points-scored Canberra Matrix. Instead, you can register interest (either 491 or 190) to ACT government, and registered PhD/Professional Doctorate candidates may receive an invitation in each round (subject to allocation windows).  

ACT even provides more relaxation for Doctorate candidates: You also don’t need to pay the application fee (it is free for you and your family members), and your occupation does not need to be on the ACT Occupation List (it just needs to be on Home Affairs’ eligible list with a valid skills assessment).  

• Who’s eligible? 

• Canberra residents: living in Canberra at least 12 months at invitation time and completed a doctorate at an ACT university.  

• Interstate or overseas: If you are in another Australian state or oversea, you must be awarded a doctorate at an ACT university within the last two years to be eligible for this stream.  

For Canberra Resident and Overseas pathways, you must submit your express of interest via the Canberra Matrix. This is a points model that will count your economic and social contribution based on your residence length, employment, English, qualifications, ACT study, assets, family ties, small-business activity, and (for overseas) ACT job offers. Highest-ranked submissions will receive invitations from ACT. Matrices will lapse after six months if you are not invited.  

• Selection priority: critical sectors and (for overseas) only occupations on the ACT Occupation List are ranked. 491visa applications are typically selected first.  

The ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (Oct 2025) covers a broad range of roles across health, education, ICT, engineering, trades, and more. Some roles are 491-only (e.g., Project Builder 133112, Conservation Officer 234311, various technicians and trades), while many are available for both 491 and 190. This list is central to eligibility for the Overseas pathway and for parts of the Canberra Resident pathway. Always check the latest list before submitting your Matrix.  

Examples from the October 2025 list: Registered Nurse specialisations, Software Engineer, ICT Security Specialist, Civil/Mechanical/Electrical Engineers, Early Childhood Teacher, Social Worker, Chef, Motor Mechanic, Electrician, and many more. 

If you need more information or assistance for visa applications, contact our Experienced Migration Agents today at 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com.