Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination program 2025/2026

The ACT has been allocated 1600 places for the 2025/2026 program year which have been equally divided between subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (skilled Work Regional).

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190).

This is a permanent visa and applicants nominated will immediately receive an invitation from the DHA to apply for a visa. Applicants also benefit from being awarded an additional 5 points for being nominated. 

Skilled  Regional Work visa for Australia (subclass 491).

This is a provisional visa which requires you to live and work in regional Australia (anywhere except Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane) with a pathway to apply for permanent residence after 3 years (subclass 191 - Skilled Regional visa). This visa also comes with the benefit of being awarded an additional 15 points for being nominated and immediately being invited by the DHA to apply for a visa once the nomination is approved.

ACT Matrix and priority sectors

Applicants must complete the Canberra Matrix and those who rank high enough particularly those in priority sectors will be considered for an invitation. Critical sectors include the care, education, construction, renewable, experience and advanced technology sectors. There is a high demand for places and the ACT targets applicants with skills and work experience where the demand is greatest. Places are therefore very competitive and even if you meet all the requirements, you may still not be invited. Generally applicants are ranked according to their age, qualifications, work experience and english language test results and thosre with the most points will stand a better chance of being invited,

Concept Australia monitors the state/territory programs and invitation criteria and evaluates which occupations are being prioritised so that we can advise you whether your prospects of being invited are realistic.

To find out whether you have the potential to be nominated, please contact Concept Australia on 0208 315 6701 or send an email to info@conceptaustralia.co.uk stating:

• your age
• your nominated occupation
• your qualifications
• the number of years work experience in your nominated occupation
• where you are planning to live in Australia

The Australian CapitalTerritory is located wholly within the state of New South Wales. The area of land makes up the ACT (2,358 square km) was transferred to the Commonwealth by the state of New South Wales in 1911.

Canberra

Canberra was named the National Capital in 1913 and is located is nearly 300km from Sydney and some 650km from Melbourne.  A planned city, Canberra is laid out around an artificial lake, Lake Burley Griffin. The Territory became self-governing in 1989. National government remains its main industry, but private sector employment has expanded and includes production of sophisticated scientific and communications equipment, and computer software.

Canberra has a population of 358,000 and stands around 1,900 feet (580 meters) above sea level, and highlands in the area reach 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). Canberra is Australia’s largest inland city and is a modern city with a cosmopolitan feel offering a clean environment, low crime rate and some of Australia’s best roads with hundreds of kilometres of bike paths. The city has many of Australia’s treasures housed in the National Art Gallery, National Museum, the National Library, the National Archives and many more.

Canberra is home to the Australian Public Service (APS) and is the biggest employer with over 20,000 people employed across a wide range of jobs. It is important to note, however, that employment with the APS will usually require Australian citizenship particularly where security clearance is required.Defence and security are among Canberra’s largest industry sectors and over 13,000 military and defence-civilian personnel are located in the capital region. The Department of Defence is based in Canberra along with the Royal Military College and Australian Defence Force Academy. Canberra’s ICT sector employs around 8,000 people and is made up of over 1,000 businesses ranging from multinationals down to micro businesses. Many ICT jobs will require Australian citizenship if employment is related to the APS. Tourism is the largest private sector segment of the ACT economy and with 7,000 tourism related businesses offers great employment opportunities on a casual, part-time and full-time basis.

If you are interested in moving to the ACT, please contact Concept Australia to discuss your visa options:

London/Kent Office

Kingfisher House
21-23 Elmfield Road
Bromley
Kent
BR1 1LT

Telephone: 020 8315 6701 or email: info@conceptaustralia.co.uk

Office hours - Monday to Friday from 09:00 -17:00