ACT Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190

Updated on 01 Mar 2025

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) lets you live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. You must be nominated by a State or Territory government. Nomination triggers the visa invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.

Two year commitment - If you are nominated by the ACT to apply for a 190 visa, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant, or if  you are moving from overseas, date of arrival in Canberra.

190 Nomination - Canberra resident applicant eligibility

• Department of Home Affairs Criteria.
• ACT Resident Pathway: you must meet one of the following:
  • Your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List;
  • You are the primary holder of a subclass 457/482 visa sponsored by an ACT employer. You must have worked in Canberra in your nominated occupation for your sponsoring ACT employer as the holder of a 457/482 visa for the last six months.
  • You are the majority owner of an eligible registered business located in the ACT and you are claiming Matrix points in the Small Business Owner category.
    • The following business types are not eligible: sub tenancy, ride-share, taxi, delivery, courier services, or an on-sold business previously used to qualify for ACT nomination.
• Residence in Canberra: you lived in Canberra for at least six months at date of Canberra Matrix submission and continue to do so until the date of invitation. Your bank statements / transaction history must record ACT banking activity for this period. You may also live within a 30-minute commuting distance in NSW e.g., Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, and Googong.
• Employment in Canberra: You worked in Canberra for at least 26 weeks. You can work for more than one employer, be self-employed, and/or be a Small Business Owner. Employment types can be combined, provided you meet the criteria for each and that you meet the overall hourly or earnings requirements as expressed below.
  • Employee
    1. You worked a minimum of 30 hours per week in at least 26 out of the 30 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission. 
    2. You work in a genuine position in accordance with Australian terms and conditions of employment. 
    3. Employer statutory declaration : your employer MUST declare that you are employed in a genuine position in accordance with Australian legislation. 
    4. If you are working in Canberra for an interstate employer, there must be a genuine reason for why you are based in Canberra. You cannot be working online, or from a home office.
  • Self-employed and you are not claiming Matrix points as a Small Business Owner:
    1. Your total (taxable) income is at least $1000 pw in at least 26 out of the 30 weeks before Canberra Matrix submission.
    2. You have at least 12 months ACT business activity on your ABN.
    3. You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming your ABN, location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties, and annual income.
  • Small Business Owner:
    1. You are eligible to claim Canberra Matrix points in the Small Business Owner Category.
    2. You MUST sign a statutory declaration confirming the details of your business activity, including your ABN, how many people you employ (and for how long), location of ACT business, start date of ACT business activity, duties and annual income.
• English: you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Proficient' or 'Superior' English unless your nominated occupation:
  • Is Chef 351311; or,
  • Has an ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5.
• Commitment to Canberra: You must sign a declaration committing to living and working in Canberra while your visa is processed and for at least two years from date of visa grant.
• If you have a Spouse / Partner, they must be a resident in Canberra for at least six months or living overseas.
  • To claim any Matrix points for your spouse or partner you must have proof of the relationship.
• Service fee: $300

190 Nomination - Overseas applicant eligibility

• Department of Home Affairs Criteria.
• Nominated occupation: your nominated occupation is on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
• Relevant overseas work experience: you have at least three years full-time, post graduate work experience in your nominated occupation in the last five years. 
  • Your skills and experience in the nominated occupation are relevant to the ACT economy.
  • If required, you hold the relevant Australian registration or licence for your nominated occupation.
• English: you meet the Department of Home Affairs requirement for 'Proficient' or 'Superior' English unless your nominated occupation:
  • Is Chef 351311; or,
  • Has an ANZSCO skill level of 3 to 5.
• ACT employability: you have researched the ACT labour market and you are satisfied that you are employable in Canberra and that your background is relevant to the ACT economy. 
• Commitment to Canberra: you have researched Canberra and you are committed to living in the ACT.
  • Residency: you and any migrating dependents(except children enrolled at school in the ACT):
    • are living overseas.
    • have not lived in Australia for the last 12 months.
    • do not hold a current Australian visa (or bridging visa) with the exception of an Australian visitor visa.
• Settlement funds: you have access to sufficient money to fund your migration and settlement in Canberra.
• If you have a Spouse / Partner and you wish to claim Canberra Matrix points in a spouse or partner category:
  • You must have proof of the relationship: either a marriage certificate or civil partnership/union certificate. 
• Service Fee: $300

Online Application: Nomination Criteria

Contact Details:

Email: [e-mail]

Phone: 13 22 81

International :[phone]

Postal Address:

Skills Canberra
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
ACT Government
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601