Are you a skilled worker looking to live and work in regional Australia? Then this blog is for you! Here’s your chance to learn more about the Canberra Matrix points system to increase your chances of getting nominated to live and work in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Through this blog, you will discover the steps to be granted a nomination for ACT state for visa subclasses 190 and 491. Candidates who wish to apply for the ACT or Australian Capital Territory nomination through a skilled sponsored visa have to meet a set of requirements defined by the Home Affairs department of Australia.

What is the Canberra Matrix Points system?

The Canberra Matrix Points system is a skill-select EOI (Expression of Interest) points-based system designed for the purpose of granting candidates a nomination for the ACT state. The Canberra Matrix is a weight points system that connects the candidates capable of delivering a positive economic contribution or having shown a genuine commitment to the ACT. Candidates with good scores are more likely to be ranked higher and get invited to apply for an ACT nomination.

How do you submit the Canberra Matrix?

Need to know the submission process? We’ve simplified it into five easy steps for you:

Step 1 – Enter your personal information as recommended.
Step 2 – Choose the pathway (Visa Subclass 491 or Subclass 190) for which you wish to apply for the ACT nomination.
Step 3 – Select from the options of “overseas applicant” or “Canberra resident”.
Step 4 – Choose “yes” or “no” for the “Doctorate Streamlined nomination”.
Step 5 – Complete the Canberra Matrix by making sure that your documents are proof enough to support the claims you’ve made. The Matrix points should be true on the date of the submission of the Matrix.

The minimum score required for the Canberra Matrix

For the Canberra Matrix, applicants must have 60+ on the 189 EOI points in addition to 5 points for the ACT 190 nomination OR 15 points for the ACT 491 nomination. Passing the Canberra matrix will give you 5 points for 190 or 15 points for 491, making you successful with the Canberra matrix.

How is the Canberra Matrix score calculated?

There are a set of questions asked that define the score based on the answers you select. To give you an idea of the type of questions asked, here’s a summary of the same.

The length of your current ACT residence – how long have you lived in Canberra in the last eight years? The options provided for you to select will include the number of years from five plus years to less than a year.

Your English proficiency as defined by Home Affairs – Superior, Proficient, or Competent. Your spouse or partner’s English proficiency may include options like Superior, Competent or Not Applicable.

Your nominated occupation on the ACT Critical Skills list – The options presented will allow you to select either if your occupation selected is ON or NOT ON the Critical Skills List.

If you are the owner of a business – You must be the majority owner (at least 51%) of a registered and actively operating business in the ACT. The options available to choose from include when it comes to owning a business:
You have actively traded in your business for at least 12 months since the establishment of your business, and your business has a minimum annual turnover of $200,000 for the last 12 months.
You have actively traded in your business for at least 6 months since the establishment of your business, and your business has a minimum annual turnover of $100,000 for the last 12 months.
Not applicable

You have worked for an ACT employer in Canberra – You have worked for an ACT employer in the last two years. The options available to select include being employed for more than 12 months, six to 12 months, or not applicable.

You should be currently working for an ACT employer in Canberra – You should be employed in a highly skilled position. The options available to select involve:
You are working in a nominated occupation that is on the current ACT Critical Skills List. The occupation you have taken up must be recorded as ‘related to the nominated occupation’ on your SkillSelect EOI.
You must be the primary holder of a subclass 457 / 482 visa. You are working in the occupation nominated by the ACT employer who has sponsored your visa. The occupation you select must be recorded as ‘related to the nominated occupation’ on your SkillSelect EOI.
You are working in an occupation on the current ACT Critical Skills List; but it is not your nominated occupation. You must have a tertiary qualification specific to your occupation. Your relevant qualification must be mentioned on your Home Affairs SkillSelect EOI.
You are employed in an occupation that has an ANZSCO skill level from 1 to 3. You must have a tertiary qualification specific to your occupation. Your relevant qualification must be mentioned on your Home Affairs SkillSelect EOI.
Not Applicable

Your spouse or partner’s employment – Your spouse must meet a set of requirements if they are currently working in the ACT or surrounding commuter region. The options to choose from when it comes to having your spouse or partner meet certain criteria include:
Your spouse or partner has a job that is listed on the ACT Critical Skills List. They must have taken a skill assessment, dated within the last 3 years, specific to their current employment. Their taxable income must be a minimum of $26 per hour (excluding casual loading) and not less.

Your spouse or partner has taken a skill assessment, dated within the last 3 years, specific to their current ACT employment. Their gross income must be a minimum of $26 per hour (excluding casual loading) and not less.

Your spouse or partner is currently working in any occupation, at any skill level, in Canberra.

Spouse employability

Your spouse or partner does not meet the 3 months employment criterion, but they: Have a tertiary qualification (a trade certificate; a Bachelor’s degree; a Master’s degree or a PhD) from an Australian institution in any occupation; and
Your spouse or partner meets the Home Affairs requirement for ‘competent’ English or holds an Australian passport.
Not Applicable

Your tertiary qualification – Your tertiary qualification should hold an Australian or international educational institution. The qualification should be recorded on the Home Affairs SkillSelect EOI. Options to select are:
Doctoral degree
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree or trade certificate
Diploma qualification (minimum two years of full-time study)
Not applicable.

Years of study at an ACT Tertiary Institution – You need to mention the number of years you studied full-time to complete a CRICOS* registered course and/or attend a Professional Year (PY) program at an ACT tertiary institution.
Four academic years or more of study
Three academic years of study
Two academic years of study
One academic year of study
Not Applicable

Family relations in Canberra – If you have family members living in Canberra for a minimum of two years. Your family member options will include:
Spouse/partner, child
Parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle
Not applicable

Your assets in Canberra – You and your spouse (if applicable) are invested at a minimum of $250,000 cash to purchase a residential or commercial property in Canberra. You must hold the certificate of the Title or rates notice to prove ownership. The options to select include:
At least $250,000 cash investment in ACT residential or commercial property
Not applicable

Need to know more about the Canberra Matrix points system? Reach out to our expert counsellors today.