ACT State-Nominated Migration: A Fast Track for High-Income, Stably Employed Applicants
If you have strong professional capabilities and a stable income, the Australian Capital Territory may be one of the fastest pathways to securing state nomination.
Unlike other states, ACT’s core logic is not a simple points ranking. Instead, it uses a finely tuned scoring system to screen applicants — emphasising genuine employment, valuing income levels, and prioritising long-term local development capability.
This means: even if your EOI score isn’t especially high, as long as you have stable employment and income in ACT, you still have a strong chance of receiving an invitation.
Get a Free ACT State-Nomination Eligibility Assessment →ACT Offers Two Types of State-Nominated Visas
ACT operates both a permanent residency pathway and a regional pathway. The two visa subclasses target different applicant profiles and apply distinctly different points logic.
1. Subclass 190 (Permanent Residency)
- Visa Name
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
- Type
- Permanent Resident (PR)
- State-Nomination Points
- 5 points
Key Features
- One-step PR
- More favourable for high-income applicants
- Requires ongoing development in ACT
Best Suited For
- Already employed steadily in ACT
- Higher income earners
- Strong occupation match
2. Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa)
- Visa Name
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491)
- Type
- 5-year Provisional Visa
- State-Nomination Points
- 15 points
Key Features
- High points bonus
- All of ACT is classified as a regional area
- Clear pathway to Subclass 191 permanent residency
Best Suited For
- Mid-range points
- Already employed in ACT
- Income meeting required thresholds
Basic Requirements
You must meet the following baseline thresholds to enter the substantive ACT state-nomination assessment stage.
Basic Requirements — 5 Mandatory Thresholds
- Age: under 45
- Occupation: must be on the skilled migration occupation list
- English: minimum IELTS 6 across all four bands
- Skills assessment: must be passed
- EOI score: 65 points or above
Not sure whether you meet the baseline thresholds? Let us run a free preliminary eligibility assessment for you.
Get My Free ACT Eligibility Pre-Assessment →Canberra Matrix
ACT uses a unique points-based system to screen state-nomination applicants. It assesses applicants across the following 5 dimensions.
Employment Status
- Whether you are working in ACT
- Whether your job is related to your nominated occupation
- Job stability
Income Level (Core Metric)
- The higher your income, the higher your score
- High-earning applicants are clearly prioritised
Length of Residence
- The longer you have lived in ACT, the higher your score
Skills & Occupation Match
- Whether the occupation is in demand
- Whether it aligns with ACT’s needs
Partner Bonus Points
- Partner’s skills profile
- Whether your partner is also employed in ACT
ACT is not about “competing on points” — it’s about “competing on real employment capability”.
Want to know your current Canberra Matrix score? We provide precise score calculations.
Calculate My Canberra Matrix Score →ACT State-Nomination 10-Step Application Process
The ACT process is entirely based on competition by Matrix scoring — there is no “subjective screening”, making it more transparent.
Complete Skills Assessment
Confirm with the relevant assessing authority (such as ACS, EA, VETASSESS, CPA, etc.) that your occupation meets migration requirements.
Prepare English Test Results
Submit official language test results such as IELTS or PTE, ensuring you meet the minimum threshold of 6 across all four bands.
Submit EOI
Submit your Expression of Interest through the Department of Home Affairs to complete your first formal registration in the Australian migration system.
Submit Canberra Matrix Score
Submit your Canberra Matrix separately on the ACT government platform, scored across dimensions such as employment, income, and length of residence.
Await ACT Invitation
ACT issues invitations based on Matrix score ranking, without subjective selection.
Receive State-Nomination Invitation
Receive your state-nomination invitation from the ACT government and proceed to the formal application stage.
Submit State-Nomination Application
Submit your complete state-nomination supporting documents to the ACT government within the prescribed timeframe.
Lodge Visa Application
Once state nomination is approved, formally lodge your Subclass 190 or 491 visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.
Health & Character Checks
Complete medical examinations at an Australia-approved panel clinic and police clearance checks.
Visa Granted
Once granted, Subclass 190 delivers PR in one step; Subclass 491 grants a 5-year provisional visa, with applicants eligible to apply for Subclass 191 permanent residency once the conditions are met.
Process Highlights
- Entirely based on competition by Matrix scoring
- No “subjective screening” — fully transparent
ACT Annual Quota & Trends
ACT has a smaller quota — limited places, but with clear rules.
Annual Quota
- Subclass 190: approximately 600–1,000
- Subclass 491: approximately 800–1,500
Trend Analysis
- Limited places but clear rules
- High Matrix scores take priority
- Local applicants hold a decisive advantage
Estimated ACT State-Nomination Application Costs
The following are the main official and third-party fees involved in an ACT state-nomination application. All amounts are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
| Item | Cost Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Fee | $4,640+ | Primary applicant |
| State-Nomination Application Fee | $300–$500 | |
| Skills Assessment Fee | $300–$1,500 | |
| English Test Fee | $300–$400 | |
| Medical Examination Fee | $300–$500 | |
| Notarisation & Translation Fee | $200–$800 |
Fees shown are reference figures as at June 2026 — the latest officially published rates prevail.
Total Budget
- Single applicant: $6,000 – $9,000+
- Family: $8,000 – $12,000+
ACT State Nomination Suits a Narrow Group — But Success Rates Are Very High Once You Qualify
Newstarsec can help you:
- Calculate your Canberra Matrix score precisely
- Assess whether you have an ACT application advantage
- Optimise your income and employment strategy
- Full end-to-end application service
Get in touch today for an assessment of your ACT state-nomination success probability.
Talk to Us About ACT State Nomination →Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACT state nomination difficult?
What is the Canberra Matrix?
Do I need a job in ACT?
Does ACT state nomination consider EOI scores?
How long does ACT state nomination take?
Who is ACT state nomination best suited to?
- High-income earners
- Already working in Canberra
- Strong occupation match
Which is easier — ACT or NSW?
Generally speaking:
- NSW: competes on EOI scores
- ACT: competes on income and employment
Can I apply for ACT from overseas?
Assess Your ACT State-Nomination Success Probability Now
ACT is not about competing on EOI scores — it’s about competing on real employment capability. Let Newstarsec calculate your Canberra Matrix precisely and craft your fastest pathway to PR.
Free ACT State-Nomination Consultation →
