Subclass 491 · ACT
Australian Capital Territory regional nomination
Five-year provisional visa with fifteen bonus points. 800 places allocated for 2025-26. Pathway to permanent residence through the 191 after three years of regional compliance.
The Australian Capital Territory Government nominates skilled migrants for the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. The program is administered by ACT Government Migration and uses a Canberra Matrix mechanism. For the 2025-26 program year, ACT received 800 491 places from the Department of Home Affairs.
The 491 is provisional for five years. Holders must comply with condition 8579 (live, work, and study only in a designated regional area) throughout the visa period. After three years of compliant residence in ACT, holders may apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Regional area scope
The whole ACT is a designated regional area (Category 2). Canberra qualifies for the 491.
ACT 491 eligibility
Federal eligibility
Standard 491 federal criteria: under 45 at invitation, positive skills assessment, Competent English, at least 65 points (including the fifteen-point nomination bonus), health and character.
Nominated occupation
Occupation must be on the federal MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL. Australian Capital Territory refines selection through the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
ACT-specific commitment
Canberra residents claiming Matrix points must demonstrate at least six months of ACT residence at the date of Matrix submission.
Priority sectors
Australian Capital Territory prioritises care, education, construction, renewables, experience economy, advanced technology.
From the 491 to the 191
After three years of compliant residence, work, and study in a designated regional area within Australian Capital Territory (or elsewhere in regional Australia), 491 holders may apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. The 191 has no minimum income threshold under current criteria. The applicant must provide three Notices of Assessment from the ATO covering income years during the regional provisional visa, and must demonstrate substantial compliance with 8579 throughout.
Compliance is documented through residential leases, utility bills, employment contracts, payslips, ATO records, and bank statements showing regional transactions. Sparse documentation creates doubt at the 191 stage. Maintaining contemporaneous records throughout the provisional period is essential.
Speak with an immigration lawyer about your ACT 491 application
We assess your profile against ACT's priority sectors and the regional area scope, advise on the realistic prospect of nomination, and prepare both the state and federal applications to a litigation-ready standard.
Book a consultationCommon questions
What areas of Australian Capital Territory qualify as regional for the 491?
How does the ACT 491 nomination process work?
What is the ACT 491 allocation for 2025-26?
Which occupations qualify?
What conditions apply once granted?
What are ACT's priority sectors for the 491?
Information current as at 30 April 2026. Australian Capital Territory program settings, occupation lists, and regional postcodes are revised through the program year. Confirm current settings at act.gov.au/migration before lodging an application.