The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has introduced significant updates to its skilled migration nomination guidelines for Canberra residents, effective 1 February 2026. The changes impact both the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and may affect eligibility, points claims, and nomination strategies for existing and prospective applicants.
As migration professionals, we advise applicants to review the updated criteria carefully, as several income thresholds have increased and an established nomination pathway has been removed.
Under the revised guidelines, the 482 Visa Holder Pathway has been formally removed from the ACT nomination framework.
While the pathway itself is no longer available, applicants who hold a subclass 457 or 482 visa are still able to claim points for:
This change signals a shift in ACT’s approach, placing greater emphasis on employment stability, income level, and overall competitiveness, rather than reliance on visa subclass alone.
The ACT has increased minimum taxable income requirements for self-employed applicants, applying to both the primary applicant and their spouse.
These increases mean self-employed applicants must now demonstrate stronger and more consistent income evidence to meet nomination requirements.
Minimum income thresholds have also been raised for small business owners, reflecting ACT’s continued focus on economic contribution.
Applicants operating small or emerging businesses will need to ensure their financial records clearly support these revised benchmarks.
The ACT has increased the minimum income required to claim points for ACT employment skill level.
This adjustment may affect applicants who previously relied on employment-based points to remain competitive in the Canberra Matrix.
Migration professionals note that these changes may:
Applicants who were marginally meeting previous thresholds may now find it necessary to reassess income arrangements, employment conditions, or alternative migration pathways.
According to Provisa, these updates reinforce the ACT Government’s intent to prioritise applicants who demonstrate sustainable employment, genuine economic contribution, and long-term settlement capacity in Canberra.
“Small shifts in income thresholds can have a meaningful impact in a points-based system,” Provisa noted. “Applicants should review their Matrix claims carefully to ensure accuracy under the new rules.”
At Provisa, we strongly encourage:
ACT nomination is highly competitive, and small changes can have a meaningful impact on outcomes.
If you are a Canberra resident or planning to apply for ACT nomination under subclass 190 or 491, our experienced migration professionals can help you:
Speak with Provisa today to understand how the ACT changes affect your migration plans.