ACT Completes 1,600 Nominations in 2025–26 — Here Is What Changes Next

ACT Migration has released its July 2026 newsletter with a raft of important updates affecting anyone pursuing a Subclass 190 or 491 skilled nominated visa through the ACT. As a Registered Migration Agent based in Canberra (MARN 1170438), I want to break down what this means for you in plain terms.

2025–26: How Did the ACT Perform?

The ACT closed out the 2025–26 financial year having issued its full allocation of 1,600 nominations — split evenly between 800 Subclass 190 nominations and 800 Subclass 491 nominations. That is a strong result and reflects continued demand for ACT nomination across a wide range of occupations.

Here is a snapshot of how the year looked from a processing standpoint:

• Total approvals: 1,600 (800 × 190, 800 × 491)
• Total refusals: 229 applications (111 for 190 at 12.2%; 128 for 491 at 13.8%)
• Average processing time: 18 business days
• ACT residents: 89% of approvals (1,417); Overseas residents: 11% (183)

Nominations by stream were dominated by the ACT Occupation List (1,244 nominations), followed by the PhD Streamlined pathway (133), Small Business Owner pathway (124), and the 482 Streamlined pathway (109).

The refusal rates — around 12–14% across both visa types — are a reminder that a nomination application is not a formality. A significant proportion of applications are refused each year, usually due to issues with employment evidence, address requirements, or claims that cannot be substantiated.

No 2026–27 Allocation Yet — What This Means for You

Here is the critical point for anyone currently waiting to apply: the ACT has not yet received its allocation of nomination places for the 2026–27 financial year from the Department of Home Affairs. No allocation means no invitation rounds can be held.

There is nothing unusual about this — state and territory allocations are typically announced by the Department after the federal budget process. However, it does mean the timeline for the next round of ACT nominations remains uncertain for now.

ACT Migration has indicated that the first invitation round for 2026–27 will not be held until at least one month after the new nomination portal launches (see below), and only once the federal allocation is confirmed. Watch the ACT Migration website for updates.

A New ACT Nomination Portal Is Launching in Late July 2026

This is the biggest operational change of the year. ACT Migration is replacing its current nomination portal with an upgraded system, planned for launch on 27 July 2026 (subject to change).

The new portal will bring meaningful improvements:

• Multi-factor authentication and improved security
• The ability to edit or withdraw a Canberra Matrix submission (previously not possible)
• Live application status updates — so you can track where your application sits without contacting ACT Migration directly
• Better mobile access and a more user-friendly interface
• Measures to reduce non-genuine expressions of interest that have previously inflated invitation round scores

Important timing note: The current portal will go offline during the week commencing 13 July 2026 — approximately two weeks before the new system launches. If you were planning to lodge a Canberra Matrix expression of interest in the coming weeks, be aware of this window.

ACT Nomination Fees Are Changing for the First Time in 14 Years

The new portal comes with updated fees. This is the first fee increase in 14 years, and the structure is changing too. Rather than a single fee, costs will now be split across two stages:

• Canberra Matrix submission fee: $25 (exclusive of GST)
• ACT nomination application (Subclass 190 or 491): $325 (exclusive of GST)
• RCB support application for an SESR visa: $325 (exclusive of GST)

For a standard applicant submitting one Canberra Matrix and one nomination application, the total ACT government fee will be $350 (exclusive of GST). These fees are charged by the ACT Government directly — they are separate from any professional fees you pay to a migration agent for preparing your application.

All fees will now be charged exclusive of GST, which the ACT Government has confirmed is to ensure fairness between Australian residents (who may be able to claim GST back) and overseas applicants (who cannot).

Canberra Matrix: New Rules on Validity and Edits

There are two important rule changes to the Canberra Matrix that every prospective applicant should understand.

Validity extended to 12 months

A Canberra Matrix submission will continue to be valid for six months. However, if you update your Matrix before it expires, the validity is extended by a further six months — giving a maximum validity period of 12 months. This is a practical improvement: it means you could submit a Matrix at the start of a financial year and still have it on foot at the end of the year without needing to start from scratch.

Edits count as a new submission — and this affects your ranking

This is the rule change that requires the most attention. Under the new system, any edit to a Canberra Matrix is treated as a new submission for assessment purposes. This has two consequences:

1. All claims must be valid at the date of the edit, not your original submission date. If you update your Matrix, your employment, address, and other eligibility claims are assessed as at that updated date — not when you first submitted.
2. Tie-breaking changes. Where multiple applicants have identical scores in an invitation round, rankings will now be based on the date last updated rather than the date of original submission. This is a significant shift. It means that casually editing your Matrix to update a minor detail could push you behind applicants who have not edited theirs.

Think carefully before making any edits. There is no additional fee for editing, but the ranking implications are real.

What Happens to Existing Canberra Matrix Submissions?

If you already have a Canberra Matrix submission in the current portal, you do not need to resubmit. Existing submissions will be automatically transferred to the new portal. To access them, you will need to create a new account using the same email address you used in the old system.

It may take up to one week after the new portal launches for your transferred submission to appear. Transferred submissions will remain valid but cannot be edited in the new portal — they can only be withdrawn if you no longer wish to proceed. If you want to update an existing submission, you would need to withdraw it and submit a new one under the new fee structure.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you are considering a Subclass 190 or 491 visa through the ACT, here is my practical advice for the coming weeks:

If you have been thinking about submitting a Canberra Matrix, consider whether it is worth doing so before the current portal goes offline on 13 July. A submission lodged now would be transferred automatically to the new portal, meaning you avoid the $25 Matrix fee that applies from the new portal’s launch date. However, weigh that against whether your claims are solid and whether you are genuinely ready to proceed.

If you already have a Matrix on foot, do not edit it casually. Understand that any edit resets your submission date, which can affect your ranking in a tie-breaking scenario.

If you are waiting on the 2026–27 allocation, keep an eye on both the ACT Migration website and this blog. I will publish updates as soon as the allocation is confirmed and invitation rounds are scheduled.

Speak to a Migration Agent Before You Act

The ACT nomination program has become more complex with each passing year — refusal rates in the 12–14% range, new portal rules, updated fee structures, and tie-breaking changes that most applicants are unaware of. Getting these things right from the start gives you the best possible chance of nomination.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for the Subclass 190 or 491 visa through the ACT, or you want to understand how these changes affect your specific situation, contact us to book your consultation.

Book your consultation with Sohail Cheema, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170438)

Source: ACT Migration July 2026 Newsletter, issued 6 July 2026 by ACT Migration, Skills Canberra, ACT Government. Information in this post is current as at the date of publication and is subject to change. This post is general information only and does not constitute migration advice.