ACT Government Nomination Opportunities
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government offers a range of nominations for skilled and business migrants who wish to live in Canberra and apply their professional skills by working in a skilled occupation or establishing a business/investing in the ACT.
Skilled Migration
If you would like to migrate to Canberra and you have an occupation that is in demand in the ACT, we may be interested in nominating your skilled independent migration visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program.
The ACT Government has signed an agreement with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), known as the State Migration Plan (SMP), which specifies occupations and numbers available to the ACT for the purposes of nominating applicants for a GSM visa.
The SMP enables the ACT to identify, target and sponsor skills that are needed in Canberra. Under the SMP, the ACT Government can nominate skilled migrants who have:
- an occupation on the SMP Occupation List;
- skills and experience relevant to the ACT; and
- a demonstrated commitment to living and working in Canberra.
Skilled migrants can be nominated under the following visa categories:
- Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
- Skilled - Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886)
Employer Sponsored Migration
The ACT Government helps local employers sponsor skilled workers from overseas by certifying that a nominated position meets certain skill/salary criteria, before the application is lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Employers can sponsor skilled workers for permanent residence under the following category:
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 119/857)—Permanent Residence.
Business Migration
If you are a successful businessperson, the ACT Government offers a range of nominations to encourage you to invest in Canberra, establish or purchase a business that will employ local residents, add value to the ACT economy or introduce significant investment funds. Nominations are available for temporary (four year) or permanent visa.
- Business Owner (Subclass 163) Visa: Nomination for business owners applying for a four year provisional visa to establish/invest in a business in the ACT.
- Senior Executive (Subclass 164) Visa: Nomination for senior executives applying for a four year provisional visa to establish/invest in a business in the ACT.
- Business Owner (Subclass 892) Visa: Nomination for provisional visa holders who have successfully conducted business in the ACT and are applying for permanent residence.
- Business Talent (Subclass 132) Visa: Nomination for high calibre business people applying to migrate to Australia and invest substantial funds into the ACT.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) 
Please note: The ACT Government does not issue visas. They are issued by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Therefore, applicants should make themselves familiar with visa criteria and nomination requirements. DIAC information can be accessed at: www.immi.gov.au
All applications and submissions are to be made in English. Supporting documents that are in another language are to be accompanied by a certified English translation.
The ACT Government has access to interpreters. If you require interpreter services during meetings with staff, please state this when your appointment is made, advising the language and dialect you want interpreted into English. A fee is charged for interpreter services.
