The ACT skilled occupation list has changed dramatically. The number of eligible occupations dropped from 152 to 105 for the 2025-26 programme year. This major reduction shows Canberra’s new direction in migration that targets occupations needed to fill current workforce gaps.
Planning to migrate to ACT for Australian permanent residency? These changes will affect your plans. The new ACT skilled migration occupation list 2025 focuses on key sectors that power Canberra’s economy – health, education, IT, and construction. The programme has also brought new rules. PhD applicants now have a different invitation schedule. Employer-sponsored applicants must work for their ACT employer for at least six months before they can apply.
This piece covers everything about the updated ACT skilled occupation list 2025. You’ll learn why these changes happened and how they might affect your trip to Australia. We’ll show you the best ways to succeed under the new rules. Our guidance helps skilled professionals, PhD graduates, and temporary visa holders in Canberra to understand the revised ACT Australia skilled occupation list better.
Understanding the ACT Skilled Occupation List 2025
The Australian Capital Territory made substantial changes to its skilled migration framework in October 2025. We should get into these modifications in detail to understand what they mean for prospective migrants.
Why the list was reduced from 152 to 105 occupations
The ACT government thought over its approach and reduced eligible occupations from 152 ANZSCO 4-digit unit groups to 105 for the 2025-26 programme year. This transformation represents a key move from a broad eligibility pool to targeting genuine skill shortages in the territory.
Local authorities carefully considered this decision. The ACT government chose to focus on professions where employers just need talent rather than accepting applications from many occupations. This focused strategy will reduce competition in oversaturated fields and give a direct boost to critical workforce needs.
Renaming to ACT Nominated Migration Programme Occupation List
The territory made two significant changes. They reduced eligible occupations and renamed the “ACT Critical Skills List” to the “ACT Nominated Migration Programme Occupation List” (or “ACT Migration Occupation List” for short).
This name change serves a deeper purpose. It shows the list’s core function: determining who can get ACT nomination. The new title makes it clear that these occupations help skilled migrants seek nomination for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas.
How the list lines up with ACT labour market needs
The updated ACT skilled occupation list now puts priority on roles that support the territory’s economic goals. The list identifies positions that could see high demand, support key sectors, or where future needs are predicted.
The ACT government highlighted several critical sectors that might get priority in the Canberra Matrix system. These sectors include care, education, construction, renewables, experience, and advanced technology.
This comprehensive strategy will support sectors that drive Canberra’s economic growth instead of flooding the local job market with less-needed roles. The ACT government plans to review the list each year when the migration programme starts. This helps keep the programme responsive to changing economic needs. In spite of that, a review doesn’t mean changes will happen if the current list still meets economic conditions.
Key Changes to ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Rules
The ACT government has rolled out new occupation lists and updated its nomination rules for 2025-26. These changes make the process better for all applicants and line up with what the territory needs in its job market.
Updated Canberra Matrix assessment criteria
The Canberra Matrix is the life-blood of ACT’s nomination system. It helps find applicants who will boost the territory’s economy. This points system looks at your skilled job, English skills, qualifications, time spent in ACT, investments and family connections. Your Matrix score directly affects your chances – higher scores mean better odds of getting nominated.
The ACT has 165 spots for 2025-26 so far (85 for subclass 190 and 80 for subclass 491). Each invitation round picks the highest Matrix scores by occupation. The cutoff points change monthly based on available spots, when you applied, occupation limits and how many people want in.
Clarified employer-sponsored pathway requirements
You need to work six months with your ACT employer who’s sponsoring you (457/482 visa holders) before you can ask for nomination. You also need at least 60 Matrix points to get an invitation.
New invitation schedule for PhD applicants
PhD graduates from ACT universities used to get invites every seven working days, no matter how many spots were left. From 2025-26, they’ll get invites during regular rounds, but they’ll still be first in line[123]. These applicants don’t need Matrix points or a listed occupation. This change brings the PhD track in line with other nomination paths.
Priority order: SC491 before SC190
The new rules say SC491 invites go out before SC190 invites[123]. If you put in both 491 and 190 Matrix applications, only your 491 will count when invites go out. This order means your chances of getting a 190 nomination might be lower, especially when rounds are competitive.
How These Changes Affect Different Applicant Types
The new ACT skilled occupation list 2025 changes will affect different migrant groups in unique ways. Let’s get into how these updates shape your ACT migration journey.
Implications for general skilled migrants
Competition has become tougher for general skilled migrants with fewer occupations to choose from. The list now includes only 105 ANZSCO codes, which means professionals from marketing, finance, human resources, web development, and translation fields need to look for other options. Every applicant should assess their eligibility against the new list before submitting a Canberra Matrix.
PhD graduates from ACT universities
ACT’s PhD graduates still enjoy major benefits despite the new scheduling. The nomination process remains simple with minimal paperwork, quick processing, and no fees. These graduates don’t need to worry about occupation list requirements. The only change is that invitations now come with regular rounds instead of weekly cycles.
Employer-sponsored visa holders (subclass 482/457)
Employer-sponsored applicants need six months of continuous work with their ACT sponsor before they can ask for nomination. The good news is they now have better mobility options. They can take up to 180 days at once (total 365 days) to find new sponsors if they lose their job.
Applicants targeting SC190 nomination
Here’s what SC190 permanent residency seekers should know:
- SC491 invitations come before SC190 nominations
- Only 85 places are available for SC190 visas in 2025-26
- Getting approved is challenging with just 50 successful applications in the latest round
What You Should Do Now to Stay Eligible
The most important changes to the ACT skilled occupation list 2025 require quick action to ensure you retain control of your eligibility. Here are the practical steps you need to think about right away.
Check if your occupation is still on the list
You should visit the official ACT Government migration page to verify your occupation’s status on the updated ACT Nominated Migration Programme Occupation List. The list only allows occupations that can claim Matrix points and receive ACT nomination invitations. The latest update from October 10, 2025 affects all Canberra Matrix submissions, whatever their submission date.
Review and update your Canberra Matrix strategy
Your Canberra Matrix scoring needs a thorough review to maximise ranking potential. The Matrix reviews your economic value through employment, English proficiency, qualifications, ACT residency, and family connections. Once submitted, the Matrix cannot be changed – any updates require a new submission with a fresh date and time. You should watch invitation rounds closely to understand current cutoffs.
Explore related occupations or other state programmes
If your occupation no longer qualifies, look into similar ANZSCO codes that are still eligible. Simple changes in your role description or additional skills might line you up with an alternate pathway. You can also learn about migration programmes in other states and territories like Victoria, New South Wales, or Queensland, each with unique occupation lists and priorities.
Boost your migration profile: English, experience, points
Your overall migration profile needs to stay competitive. Work on better English test scores, gain relevant work experience (especially in regional areas), and build your overall points score. Note that higher Canberra Matrix scores will significantly improve your nomination chances.
Conclusion
The skilled migration landscape in the Australian Capital Territory has changed dramatically for 2025-26. The ACT government has reduced eligible occupations from 152 to 105. This piece shows how they now focus on sectors that truly need skilled professionals. Their targeted approach directs resources to address real workforce shortages in Canberra’s economy.
These vital changes require quick adaptation from prospective migrants. Your success depends on understanding how these modifications affect your specific pathway. This applies whether you’re a general skilled migrant, PhD graduate, or employer-sponsored visa holder. Your first step should be to check if your occupation remains on the list.
The timing of these changes brings both challenges and opportunities. Fewer eligible occupations have made competition tougher. Yet, the clearer guidelines help serious applicants by showing priorities and expectations transparently.
Your migration journey might need a different direction. If your occupation no longer qualifies, you can look into related ANZSCO codes or programmes in other Australian states. Better English scores and relevant work experience will boost your migration profile, whatever path you take.
The ACT Nominated Migration Programme still welcomes skilled professionals who can add value to Canberra’s economy. The Australian dream remains within reach for those who handle these changes well. Good preparation and smart planning make all the difference.
FAQs
Q1. What are the key changes to the ACT Skilled Occupation List for 2025-26? The list has been reduced from 152 to 105 occupations, focusing on critical sectors like health, education, IT, and construction. It has also been renamed to the ACT Nominated Migration Programme Occupation List.
Q2. How does the Canberra Matrix system work for skilled migration? The Canberra Matrix is a points-based assessment that evaluates factors such as skilled employment, English proficiency, qualifications, and ACT residence. Higher scores improve nomination chances, with the highest-ranked applicants in each occupation receiving priority.
Q3. What are the new requirements for employer-sponsored applicants? Employer-sponsored applicants (457/482 visa holders) must have worked for their ACT employer for at least six months before applying for nomination and score at least 60 Matrix points to receive an invitation.
Q4. How have the invitation rules changed for PhD graduates? PhD graduates from ACT universities will now be invited during standard invitation rounds, rather than every seven working days. They still don’t need Matrix points or an occupation on the list but will be aligned with other nomination streams.
Q5. What should I do if my occupation is no longer on the ACT Skilled Occupation List? If your occupation has been removed, consider exploring closely related ANZSCO codes that remain eligible, investigate migration programmes in other Australian states, and focus on improving your overall migration profile through enhanced English scores and relevant work experience.