ACT Skilled Migration 2025: From 152 to 105 Occupations – What It Means for Your PR Pathway

If your occupation’s gone missing, your invitation might too.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has just reshaped its skilled migration landscape, reducing its eligible occupation list from 152 to 105 occupations. This dramatic change directly affects international professionals planning to secure ACT nomination for Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) or Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas.

If you’ve been eyeing Canberra as your PR destination, this update could redefine your chances — or even close your pathway altogether.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain:

• Why ACT reduced its list from 152 to 105 occupations
• What new rules and priorities apply in 2025–26
• What to do if your occupation is no longer listed
• How Aussizz Group can help you navigate these changes with expert guidance

Why ACT Cut Its Occupation List from 152 to 105

Aligning Migration with Real Labour Demand

The ACT Government announced that the revised ACT Migration Occupation List now focuses on genuine skill shortages rather than maintaining a broad eligibility pool.
This change ensures that migration supports critical sectors driving Canberra’s economy – such as health, education, IT, and construction – instead of oversaturating the local job market with less-demanded roles.

Renaming of the List

The previous “ACT Critical Skills List” is now called the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (often referred to as the ACT Migration Occupation List).
All new Canberra Matrix applications must comply with this revised list, regardless of when you submitted your expression of interest (EOI).

New Rules and Priorities for ACT Nomination (2025–26)

1. Eligibility Risks for Removed Occupations

If your occupation is no longer part of the 105 eligible roles, you are no longer eligible for ACT nomination through the standard stream.

However, if you have already submitted your State nomination application with ACT before the new changes (for example, as per the September 2025 round), your application remains valid and will still be assessed under the previous occupation list.

2. PhD Applicants: New Invitation Timeline

PhD-qualified applicants will now be invited only during the official invitation rounds, not on a weekly basis as before.

This means that doctoral applicants from ACT universities will need to plan submissions strategically and align with invitation cycles.

3. Employer-Sponsored Applicants: Minimum Work Duration

To apply under the employer-sponsored stream, candidates must now have completed at least six months with their sponsoring ACT employer before lodging their application. This ensures employer commitment and genuine skill contribution to the local economy.

4. Priority Between 491 and 190 Invitations

The ACT government has confirmed that Subclass 491 invitations will be issued before Subclass 190.

This reordering encourages regional work participation and aligns with Australia’s broader regional migration strategy.

Ministerial Direction 105: How National Priorities Affect ACT Applicants

Australia’s skilled migration program is guided by Ministerial Direction No. 105, which determines how applications are processed nationally.

National Processing Priorities

Under Direction 105, visa applications are prioritised as follows:

• Employer-sponsored visas in designated regional areas
• Healthcare and teaching occupations
• Employer-sponsored visas from accredited sponsors
• Other skilled migration subclasses under the migration program
• Remaining applications, processed in order of lodgement

This means that even within the ACT, healthcare and teaching professionals will receive faster processing of their visa applications from Department of Home Affairs.

What To Do If Your Occupation Is No Longer on the ACT List

Losing your occupation from the ACT list can feel discouraging, but it’s not the end of your migration dream.

Here are your best next steps:

1. Check the Updated ACT Migration Occupation List

Visit the ACT Government migration page and confirm whether your occupation remains eligible.

You can access the complete, up-to-date list from official sources before planning your next move.

2. Explore Closely Related Occupations

If your exact occupation was removed, consider whether a related ANZSCO code is still eligible.

A minor adjustment in your role description or upskilling might align you with an alternate pathway.

3. Consider the PhD Stream

If you have a PhD from an ACT university, you may still qualify for nomination even if your occupation is missing — provided you meet other ACT residency and contribution requirements.

4. Look Beyond ACT

Explore other states and territories such as Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, or Tasmania.

Each state has its own occupation list and nomination priorities – sometimes more open than ACT’s.

5. Strengthen Your Migration Profile

Boost your English score, gain regional work experience, and improve your points score to stay competitive in future invitation rounds.

Why You Should Partner With Aussizz Group

When immigration rules evolve, you need experience that navigates change – not confusion.

With 16+ years of expertise and over 180,000 successful visa grants, Aussizz Group has helped thousands of skilled professionals secure their Australian visas through ACT and other state nomination programs.

Whether your occupation remains on the ACT list or not – Contact Aussizz Group so that our experts can help you find the best route to Australian Permanent Residency.