Nominated Skilled Migration 190 visa pathway update

The ACT 190 Nomination program will reopen on 29 November 2018 with a new process for determining nominated applicants.

Applying for ACT 190 nomination is a two stage process:

You must express an interest in applying for ACT 190 nomination by completing a score-based Canberra Matrix where you are allocated points for demonstrated economic benefit and/or a genuine commitment to the ACT.

The highest ranked candidates will be selected and invited to apply for ACT 190 nomination. Only scores of 20 points and above will be ranked.

Eligibility Requirements - Stage 1

For Canberra Residents

You must meet the following minimum criteria before you are eligible to express an interest in ACT 190 nomination:If you hold, or have previously held a student/temporary graduate visa within the last two years:

- You must be resident in Canberra for at least 12 months at time of invitation. -From 1 July 2019, the minimum ACT residence criteria for student/temporary graduate visa holders will increase to two years.

All other visa holders must be resident in Canberra for at least three months.

You must be working for an ACT registered employer in Canberra for at least three months. While the employment does not have to be fulltime or permanent, you must be working a minimum 20 hours per week. You may also work for different ACT employers or be self-employed on an ABN. If you are employed by a NSW registered business in the 'ACT Region', you must demonstrate that your position and the majority of your work is undertaken in the ACT.

If you are nominating an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Managers) or Group 2 (Professionals) occupation, you must demonstrate a 'Proficient' level of English as defined by Home Affairs.

You must sign a statutory declaration committing to continuing to live and work in Canberra for at least two years from date of subclass 190 visa grant. Note: You are not eligible for ACT nomination if you, or any members of your immediate family are living, working or studying in another Australian state or territory.

For Overseas Residents

You must meet the following minimum criteria before you are eligible to express an interest in ACT 190 nomination:

If you are nominating an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Managers) or Group 2 (Professionals) occupation, you must demonstrate a 'Proficient' level of English as defined by Home Affairs.

Your skills and at least 12 months experience in the nominated occupation must be relevant to the ACT economy. Experience in heavy industry, manufacturing, production, mining; shipping, gas and oil, head office banking arid railways are not generally considered relevant industries. If you do not have a genuine ACT job offer in your nominated 'open' occupation, you must provide evidence of sufficient ACT employment opportunities in your nominated occupation, relevant to your skill set.

You must sign a statutory declaration committing to living and working in Canberra for at least two years from date of permanent arrival in Australia.

You must have access to sufficient financial assets to fund your migration and settlement in Canberra while you seek employment. You need to be realistic about employment expectations.

Express Your Interest - Stage 1 To express an interest in ACT 190 nomination, you must complete the Canberra Matrix. Migration agents acting on behalf of a client must register and create an agents account with Skills Canberra. The Canberra Matrix can be accessed from the agent portal. Individual candidates not using a migration agent are not required to create an account. The Canberra Matrix can be accessed at the Canberra Create Your Future website. Once you submit the Canberra Matrix, you will receive an email with a summary of the Matrix categories and score. The Canberra Matrix cannot be updated once it is submitted. If your circumstances change and your claimed points increase/decrease, you must complete a new Canberra Matrix; noting that your submission date/time will also change.