Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government is set to reopen the Skilled Migration 190 visa nomination program on 29th November 2018. The ACT government has introduced a new merit-based nomination program named as Canberra Matrix that awards applicants point based on their tie with Canberra and skills in demand in the ACT.
As per the information shared by the ACT government in the second week of November, there are 12 different factors that determine points on this merit-based nomination system. Those factors are Length of residence in Canberra, English language proficiency, Spouse/partner English language proficiency, and Nominated occupation (open or closed). Further determining factors are, Length of current employment in Canberra (not tied to nominated occupation), ACT employment type, Spouse / Partner employment in Canberra, Education (can be in Canberra, interstate or overseas), Canberra education, Grandfathering of applicants who arrived to live in Canberra on or before 29 June 2018), Assets in Canberra (personal or business and unencumbered), and Close family ties to Canberra. Applicants would be awarded based on their strength and tie ranging from 5 points to 20 points on each base. Here is the point distribution:
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| Canberra Matrix for Canberra Residents | ||
| Category | Option | Points |
| Current ACT Residence | 4 + years | 20 |
| 3 – 4 years | 15 | |
| 2 – 3 years | 10 | |
| 1 – 2 years | 5 | |
| Less than one year | 0 | |
| English Proficiency
|
Superior | 15 |
| Proficient | 10 | |
| Competent | 0 | |
| Spouse/Partner English | Superior/Proficient | 5 |
| Nomination Occupation | In demand or ‘Open’ on the ACT Occupation List | 20 |
| Length of current ACT employment | Employed for 12 months + | 10 |
| Employed for 6-12 months | 5 | |
| ACT Employment Type | Working in ‘open’ nominated occupation | 15 |
| Working in ‘open’ but not nominated the occupation | 10 | |
| Working in ANZCO Skill level 1 to 3 occupation | 5 | |
| Previous ACT employment in nominated occupation – minimum one year | 4 | |
| Spouse/Partner Employment | Working in the ‘open’ Occupation in the ACT | 15 |
| Skill assessment relevant to the current occupation
|
10 | |
| Tertiary qualification relevant to current occupation
|
5 | |
| Currently working in any occupation | 5 | |
| Study Level at Tertiary Institution
|
Doctoral Degree | 20
|
| Master’s Degree | 15 | |
| Bachelors Degree or 3-year trade certificate | 10
|
|
| Diploma (at least 2 years) | 5
|
|
| Study Completed at an ACT tertiary institute
|
3 years or more | 15 |
| 2 years | 10 | |
| 1 year | 5 | |
| Prospective Applicants | Canberra Resident | 10 |
| Assets in Canberra
|
ACT property (min. $250,000 investment) | 5
|
| 2 years ACT business activity, majority ownership & minimum $100,000
|
5
|
|
| $200,000 investment in a start-up ACT business | 5 | |
| Close Family Ties
|
Australian citizen/permanent resident spouse/partner, child | 20
|
| Australian citizen/permanent resident parent, grandparent, brother, sister | 10 | |
| Temporary resident spouse/partner | 5 | |
