Skilled
ACT Canberra Matrix invitation round of 12 October 2026: 262 subclass 190 invitations, and the tentative round dates for 2026–27
The ACT Government’s first Canberra Matrix invitation round of the 2026–27 program year, held on 12 October 2026, issued 262 invitations for subclass 190 nomination and none for subclass 491.
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The ACT Government’s Canberra Matrix invitation round page, dated 12 November 2026, reports the results of the round of 12 October 2026. The round was for subclass 190 nomination only.
| Group | Subclass 190 invitations | Subclass 491 invitations |
|---|---|---|
| Doctorate Streamlined Pathway | 54 | 0 |
| Canberra residents: Small Business Owners (minimum Matrix score 120) | 18 | 0 |
| Canberra residents: 457 / 482 visa holders | 1 | 0 |
| Canberra residents: Critical Skill Occupations | 126 | 0 |
| Overseas applicants: Critical Skill Occupations | 63 | 0 |
| Total | 262 | 0 |
The ACT states that it has a fixed number of nomination places each month, and that the highest-ranked Matrix in each occupation was invited. The cut-off depended on the remaining monthly allocation, the date and time the Matrix was submitted, the occupation cap and demand.
Tentative round dates for 2026–27
- 12 November 2026
- week starting 30 November 2026
- week starting 11 January 2027 (may be brought forward)
- week starting 22 March 2027
- week starting 24 May 2027
The ACT notes that the dates are tentative and subject to change without notice, depending on final allocation of nomination places and operational requirements
. At 14 November 2026 the page showed no results for the round of 12 November 2026. The ACT has also opened a new ACT Migration Application portal for Canberra Matrix submissions.
How state and territory nomination fits with the points test is explained in our skilled visa guide.
Questions and answers
How many invitations did the ACT issue in October 2026?
262 invitations for subclass 190 nomination in the Canberra Matrix round of 12 October 2026, and none for subclass 491. The round was for subclass 190 only.
When is the next ACT Canberra Matrix invitation round?
The ACT’s tentative schedule lists 12 November 2026, then the week starting 30 November 2026, the week starting 11 January 2027, the week starting 22 March 2027 and the week starting 24 May 2027. The dates are tentative and can change.
Can overseas applicants get ACT nomination in 2026–27?
Yes. In the round of 12 October 2026, 63 subclass 190 invitations went to overseas applicants nominating a Critical Skill Occupation.
What Matrix score did small business owners need in the October 2026 ACT round?
The minimum Matrix score for Canberra resident Small Business Owners invited for subclass 190 was 120. 18 were invited.
Sources
Links go to the instrument or the official page. Where a page states a figure, the figure above is that page’s figure on the date shown.
Full guide: Skilled