The ACT Government has scheduled the first Canberra Matrix invitation round of the 2026–27 financial year for the week starting 12 October 2026.
The date remains tentative. The Australian Government has not yet confirmed the ACT’s allocation of nomination places for the 2026–27 program year, and ACT Migration has advised that the invitation schedule may change.
If you already have a Canberra Matrix submitted, or you are preparing to submit one, now is a good time to review your eligibility, documents, and Matrix information before the upcoming round.
ACT Invitation Round Schedule for 2026–27
If you already have a Canberra Matrix submitted, or you are preparing to submit one, now is a good time to review your eligibility, documents, and Matrix information before the upcoming round.
ACT Migration has published the following tentative schedule:
| Round | Week Starting | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 October 2026 | Tentative |
| 2 | 25 January 2027 | Tentative |
| 3 | 22 March 2027 | Tentative |
| 4 | 24 May 2027 | Tentative |
These dates may change depending on the final allocation of nomination places and ACT Migration’s operational requirements.
The previous Canberra Matrix invitation round was held on 11 June 2026.
2026–27 ACT Nomination Allocation
The Australian Government has not yet confirmed the ACT’s nomination allocation for the 2026–27 financial year.
For comparison, ACT received the following allocation for 2025–26:
- Subclass 190: 800 places
- Subclass 491: 800 places
- Total: 1,600 places
By 30 June 2026, all 1,600 nomination places had been used.
The ACT Government has advised that its website will be updated once the 2026–27 allocation is confirmed.
Results from the Previous Invitation Round
The most recent Canberra Matrix invitation round was conducted on 11 June 2026.
Doctorate Streamlined Pathway
- Subclass 190: 8 invitations
- Subclass 491: 5 invitations
Canberra Residents – Small Business Owner
- Subclass 190: 3 invitations
- Minimum Matrix score: 110
- Subclass 491: 0 invitations
Canberra Residents – Critical Skill Occupations
- Subclass 190: 66 invitations
- Subclass 491: 0 invitations
Overseas Applicants – Critical Skill Occupations
- Subclass 190: 0 invitations
- Subclass 491: 0 invitations
These figures relate specifically to the 11 June 2026 invitation round and should not be taken as an indication of what will happen in the October 2026 round.
2025–26 ACT Nomination Outcomes
By 30 June 2026, ACT Migration reported:
Approvals
- 1,600 total nominations
- Subclass 190: 800
- Subclass 491: 800
Of these:
ACT residents: 1,417 – 89%
Overseas residents: 183 – 11%
Refusals
ACT also recorded 229 nomination application refusals:
- Subclass 190: 111 refusals
- Subclass 491: 128 refusals
Receiving a Canberra Matrix invitation does not automatically result in ACT nomination. Applicants must still demonstrate that they meet the relevant eligibility requirements and substantiate the claims made in their Canberra Matrix.
ACT nomination also does not guarantee the subsequent visa outcome, as applicants must separately satisfy Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.
How Canberra Matrix Selection Works
The Canberra Matrix is a merit-based system used by the ACT Government to select applicants for ACT nomination.
For the general ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List pathway, Matrix submissions are ranked according to factors including:
- Residency status
- Nominated occupation
- Canberra Matrix score
- Demand for the occupation
- Available nomination places
- Number of invitations being issued
The highest-ranked eligible Matrix submissions in each occupation may be invited.
ACT Migration also states that Canberra Matrix submissions in occupations within critical sectors may be prioritised.
Current critical sectors include:
- Care
- Education
- Construction
- Renewables
- Advanced technology
Importantly, Subclass 491 Matrix submissions are selected first under the general Occupation List pathway.
What Happens When Applicants Have the same matrix score?
Where too many Canberra Matrix submissions have the same score, ACT Migration may use the date and time of Matrix submission when selecting applicants.
This makes the submission date important.
Applicants should also be particularly careful when updating an existing Matrix.
Be Careful When Updating Your Canberra Matrix
You can update your Canberra Matrix before receiving an invitation, and there is no additional fee to make an update.
However, an important rule applies:
When you update your Canberra Matrix, the updated submission replaces your previous Matrix and is treated as a new Matrix for ranking purposes.
The relevant submission date becomes the date on which you last updated the Matrix.
Therefore, applicants should not update their Matrix unnecessarily simply because an invitation round is approaching.
An update may be appropriate where your circumstances have genuinely changed, for example:
- Your employment circumstances have changed
- Your Canberra residence period has increased
- Your English result has changed
- Your partner circumstances have changed
- Your qualifications have changed
- Your Matrix points have changed
- Other information originally provided is no longer accurate
Any points claimed must be valid and supported by appropriate evidence at the date the Matrix is submitted or updated.
Check Your English Test and Skills Assessment
Applicants must continue to satisfy the relevant Department of Home Affairs and ACT nomination requirements.
For applicable ACT nomination pathways, your English test and skills assessment must be valid at the relevant stages required by ACT Migration.
Do not wait until receiving an invitation to discover that an important document has expired.
Review the expiry dates of your:
- Skills assessment
- English test
- Passport
- Visa, where applicable
- Other documents relevant to your eligibility or Matrix claims
Canberra Matrix Validity
A Canberra Matrix will generally lapse after six months if:
- You have not received an invitation; and
- You have not updated the Matrix during that period.
Updating the Matrix can extend its validity by another six months, subject to a maximum validity of 12 months from the original Matrix submission date.
Remember that updating the Matrix also changes the date used for ranking purposes.
Canberra Matrix and Nomination Fees
Current ACT Migration fees include:
| Application | Excluding GST | Including GST |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra Matrix submission | $25 | $27.50 |
| Subclass 190 nomination application | $325 | $357.50 |
| Subclass 491 nomination application | $325 | $357.50 |
The fees are non-refundable.
After submitting a Canberra Matrix, the service fee must be paid through the ACT Migration Application Portal within 7 days of submission.
If payment is not received within that period, the Matrix will automatically lapse.
We will not rank a Canberra Matrix until we receive and confirm payment.
What to Check Before the October Invitation Round
If you already have a Canberra Matrix submitted, consider checking the following before the week starting 12 October:
1. Check your Matrix status
Make sure your Canberra Matrix has been successfully submitted and the required service fee has been paid.
2. Review your eligibility
Confirm that you continue to meet the ACT nomination eligibility requirements for your chosen pathway.
3. Check your nominated occupation
For the general Occupation List pathway, your nominated occupation must be on the latest ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
4. Check your supporting documents
Make sure your English test, skills assessment and other important documents remain valid.
5. Check your EOI
Your SkillSelect EOI should accurately reflect your current circumstances and be consistent with the information relied upon for your ACT nomination.
6. Review your Matrix claims
Make sure every point claimed can be supported with the required evidence.
Do not claim points simply to increase your Matrix score if you cannot substantiate the claim.
7. Think carefully before updating your Matrix
An update may improve your score where your circumstances have changed, but the updated Matrix is treated as a new submission for ranking purposes.
Important: An Invitation Is Not Guaranteed
Submitting a Canberra Matrix does not guarantee an invitation.
ACT Migration states that demand for nomination can exceed the available allocation.
Selection can depend on:
- Your Matrix score
- Your nominated occupation
- Your residency status
- Demand for your occupation
- Available nomination places
- The number of invitations being issued
- The date and time of submission where applicants have the same score
- ACT Government prioritisation settings
Personal circumstances such as an upcoming visa expiry or a critical birthday do not result in a Matrix being prioritised.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next ACT invitation round?
The first Canberra Matrix invitation round for the 2026–27 financial year is tentatively scheduled for the week starting 12 October 2026.
The date may change.
What are the other tentative invitation rounds?
ACT Migration currently lists:
– Week starting 25 January 2027
– Week starting 22 March 2027
– Week starting 24 May 2027
Has the ACT received its 2026–27 nomination allocation?
As of 1 October 2026, the ACT Government states that its 2026–27 allocation has not yet been confirmed by the Australian Government.
Does submitting a Canberra Matrix guarantee an invitation?
No.
Meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting a Canberra Matrix does not guarantee an invitation to apply for ACT nomination.
Are overseas applicants eligible for ACT nomination?
Yes, eligible overseas applicants may be considered under applicable ACT nomination pathways.
However, selection depends on the relevant pathway, occupation, Matrix ranking, available nomination places and other ACT selection settings.
In the 11 June 2026 round, no overseas applicants in the Critical Skill Occupations category received a 190 or 491 invitation. This was the result of that particular round and does not determine the outcome of future rounds.
Which sectors may receive priority?
ACT Migration currently identifies the following critical sectors:
– Care
– Education
– Construction
– Renewables
– Advanced technology
Matrix submissions with nominated occupations in critical sectors may be prioritised.
What happens if I update my Canberra Matrix?
Your updated Matrix replaces your previous submission and is treated as a new Matrix for ranking purposes.
The submission date used for ranking becomes the date of your latest update.
How much does a Canberra Matrix cost?
The current fee is $27.50 including GST.
The current ACT nomination application fee for either Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 is $357.50 including GST.
Final Reminder
With the first ACT invitation round of the 2026–27 financial year scheduled for the week starting 12 October 2026, applicants should use this time to review their eligibility, SkillSelect EOI, Canberra Matrix and supporting documents.
However, avoid making unnecessary changes to an existing Matrix simply because an invitation round is approaching. Updating a Matrix changes its ranking submission date.
The October invitation date remains tentative, and ACT’s 2026–27 nomination allocation has not yet been confirmed.
Always check the latest ACT Migration information before making decisions about your application.
