This page is our running summary of ACT nomination for 2026–27. We update it whenever ACT Migration publishes a change, and the update log near the end records what changed and when. Rules, allocations and dates can change at short notice, so this information may be out of date by the time you read it. Please check the official ACT Government migration website for the latest details, or contact us before you act.

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.

2026–27 Allocation: 600 Places for the 190 and 200 for the 491

The Australian Government gives the ACT a fixed number of nomination places each financial year for each visa subclass. For 2026–27, the ACT’s website shows 600 places for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and 200 for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa. ACT nomination triggers a visa invitation from the Department of Home Affairs and does not guarantee a migration outcome.

The ACT says demand for nomination may exceed the annual allocation, so there is no guarantee your Matrix will be ranked even if you meet the criteria. The first 2026–27 invitation round was in the week starting 12 October 2026, for subclass 190 only. The published tentative schedule also lists 12 November, the week of 30 November, the week of 11 January 2027 (which may be brought forward), and the weeks of 22 March and 24 May 2027. These dates can change without notice, so watch the ACT Migration website.

First 2026–27 Round: 12 October 2026

ACT Migration published the following results for the 12 October 2026 Canberra Matrix invitation round:

Group	Subclass 190 invitations	Subclass 491 invitations
Doctorate Streamlined Pathway	54	0
Small Business Owners	18 (minimum Matrix score 120)	0
Critical Skill Occupations, Canberra residents	126	0
Critical Skill Occupations, overseas applicants	63	0

ACT Migration says the minimum ranking score is an indication only and not a guarantee that an invitation was issued. Invitations are not issued if you have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nomination.

The New ACT Nomination Portal Is Now Open

This is the biggest operational change of the year. ACT Migration replaced its nomination portal with an upgraded system, which it now reports as open for Canberra Matrix submissions and RCB Support applications.

The improvements announced in its July newsletter include:

• 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

ACT Nomination Fees: First Change in 14 Years

The July newsletter announced updated fees with the new portal. This was the first fee increase in 14 years, and the structure changed too. Rather than a single fee, costs are 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. Check the ACT Migration website for current fees before you lodge.

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?

ACT Migration’s July 2026 newsletter said that existing Canberra Matrix submissions would be transferred automatically to the new portal, so you would not need to resubmit. To access a transferred submission, you create a new account using the same email address you used in the old system.

The newsletter also said transferred submissions remain valid but cannot be edited in the new portal. They can only be withdrawn. If you want to update an existing submission, you would withdraw it and submit a new one under the new fee structure.

If you have an existing Matrix, log in to the new portal and check that your submission appears and is still current. Check the ACT Migration website for the latest guidance before you withdraw or resubmit anything.

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 plan to lodge a Canberra Matrix, the new portal is open. Weigh 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. Any edit counts as a new submission, which resets your submission date and can affect your ranking in a tie-breaking scenario.

The first 2026–27 round was for Subclass 190 only, so if you are targeting a Subclass 491, plan for the later rounds, which are tentative and may change.

Keep checking the ACT Migration website and this blog for the confirmed 2026–27 allocation and any change to the round dates.

Update log

• 12 November 2026: ACT Migration’s website now shows the 2026–27 allocation (600 places for the subclass 190 and 200 for the subclass 491) and a tentative schedule of 2026–27 invitation rounds. The allocation and round-date sections of this page were updated.
• 19 October 2026: Added the results of the first 2026–27 invitation round (week of 12 October, subclass 190 only) and the new ACT Migration Application portal.
• July 2026: First version, based on ACT Migration’s July 2026 newsletter: 2025–26 results, fee changes and Canberra Matrix rules.

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. Updated 12 November 2026 using the ACT Government migration website (the ACT nomination page and the Canberra Matrix invitation round page). Information in this post is current as at that date and is subject to change. This post is general information only and does not constitute migration advice.