Canberra Matrix Invitation Round Summary 29 January 2026

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has released the outcomes of its latest Canberra Matrix invitation round conducted on 29 January 2026. In this round, a significant number of invitations are issued across various migration streams. This reflects ACT’s monthly pro-rata allocation for the 2025–26 program year.

Key Highlights of the January 2026 Round

The ACT Government distributed invitations across multiple pathways, with the following breakdown:

Doctorate Streamlined Pathway

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): 26 invitations

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): 1 invitation

Small Business Owners (Canberra Residents)

Subclass 190: 17 invitations (Minimum Matrix score: 105)

Subclass 491: 16 invitations (Minimum Matrix score: 95)

457/482 Visa Holders

Subclass 190: 49 invitations

Subclass 491: 20 invitations

Critical Skill Occupations – Canberra Residents

Subclass 190: 123 invitations

Subclass 491: 140 invitations

Critical Skill Occupations – Overseas Applicants

Subclass 190: 31 invitations

Subclass 491: 60 invitations

Minimum Matrix Scores by Occupation – 29 January 2026

The table below outlines the minimum Matrix scores selected in the 29 January 2026 ACT invitation round, broken down by category, occupation, and visa subclass.

ANZSCO Unit Group	Unit Group Title	Canberra Resident 491	Canberra Resident 190	Overseas Applicant 491	Overseas Applicant 190
1331	Construction Managers	80	90	85	90
1332	Engineering Managers	80	90	85	90
1336	Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers	85	95	90	95
1341	Child Care Centre Managers	60	60	65	80
1342	Health and Welfare Services Managers	60	N/A	75	N/A
1351	ICT Managers	120	125	120	125
1399	Other Specialist Managers	85	95	105	110
1411	Café and Restaurant Managers	120	125	80	90
1413	Hotel and Motel Managers	100	105	80	90
2211	Accountants	125 (19/08/2025)	135	125	135
2212	Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers	120	130	120	130
2242	Archivists, Curators and Records Managers	85	90	85	90
2321	Architects and Landscape Architects	90	95	90	95
2322	Surveyors and Spatial Scientists	80	90	80	90
2326	Urban and Regional Planners	80	90	80	90
2332	Civil Engineering Professionals	110	120	85	90
2333	Electrical Engineers	85 (29/07/2025)	90	80 (04/09/2025)	90
2334	Electronics Engineers	105	110	85	95
2335	Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers	95	105	90	100
2339	Other Engineering Professionals	110	120	90	95
2343	Environmental Scientists	85	90	80	90
2345	Life Scientists	80	85	85	90
2346	Medical Laboratory Scientists	60	60	80	90
2347	Veterinarians	90	95	90	95
2349	Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	80	85	80	90
2411	Early Childhood (Pre-primary) Teachers	100 (03/01/2026)	115 (22/12/2025)	80	90
2412	Primary School Teachers	60	60	65	80
2413	Middle School Teachers	60	60	65	80
2414	Secondary School Teachers	60	80	80	90
2415	Special Education Teachers	60	65	70	80
2422	Vocational / Polytechnic Teachers	80	85	80	90
2511	Nutrition Professionals	60	N/A	70	N/A
2512	Medical Imaging Professionals	60	65	65	80
2513	Occupational & Environmental Health Professionals	60	65	70	80
2514	Optometrists and Orthoptists	60	65	65	80
2515	Pharmacists	75	85 (17/12/2025)	90	100
2519	Other Health Diagnostic & Promotion Professionals	60	65	65	75
2521	Chiropractors and Osteopaths	60	65	65	70
2522	Complementary Health Therapists	60	65	65	70
2523	Dental Practitioners	60	65	65	70
2524	Occupational Therapists	60	65	65	75
2525	Physiotherapists	60	65	65	70
2526	Podiatrists	60	65	65	70
2527	Audiologists and Speech Pathologists / Therapists	60	65	65	70
2531	General Practitioners and RMOs	60	65	65	70
2532	Anaesthetists	60	65	65	70
2533	Specialist Physicians	60	65	65	70
2534	Psychiatrists	60	65	65	70
2535	Surgeons	60	65	65	70
2539	Other Medical Practitioners	60	65	65	70
2541	Midwives	60	65	65	70
2542	Nurse Educators and Researchers	60	65	65	70
2543	Nurse Managers	60	65	65	70
2544	Registered Nurses	75 (01/01/2026)	105 (01/12/2025)	80	90
2611	ICT Business and Systems Analysts	120	130	90	100
2613	Software and Applications Programmers	120	125 (28/11/2025)	105	110
2621	Database, Systems & ICT Security Specialists	115	125	100	105
2631	Computer Network Professionals	115 (13/12/2025)	120	100	120
2632	ICT Support and Test Engineers	115 (11/01/2026)	120 (19/12/2025)	95	105
2633	Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	100 (17/11/2025)	N/A	100	N/A
2713	Solicitors	85	115	90	110
2721	Counsellors	60	65	65	70
2723	Psychologists	60	65	65	70
2725	Social Workers	60	65	70	90
2726	Welfare, Recreation & Community Arts Workers	80	100	85	105
3112	Medical Technicians	60	65	85	95
3114	Science Technicians	80	90	85	95
3121	Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians	80	90	85	95
3122	Civil Engineering Draftspersons & Technicians	105	115	85	95
3123	Electrical Engineering Draftspersons & Technicians	80	90	85	95
3125	Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons & Technicians	80	90	85	90
3129	Other Building & Engineering Technicians	80	90	85	95
3131	ICT Support Technicians	115	120	110	120
3132	Telecommunications Technical Specialists	90	95	90	95
3211	Automotive Electricians	80	90	85	90
3212	Motor Mechanics	105	110	85	95
3231	Aircraft Maintenance Engineers	80	N/A	80	N/A
3232	Metal Fitters and Machinists	90	95	90	95
3233	Precision Metal Trades Workers	80	90	80	90
3241	Panelbeaters	80	90	80	90
3242	Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers	80	90	80	90
3243	Vehicle Painters	80	90	80	90
3311	Bricklayers and Stonemasons	80	90	80	90
3312	Carpenters and Joiners	80	90	80	90
3321	Floor Finishers	80	90	80	90
3322	Painting Trades Workers	80	90	80	90
3331	Glaziers	80	90	80	90
3332	Plasterers	80	90	80	90
3333	Roof Tilers	80	90	80	90
3334	Wall and Floor Tilers	80	90	80	90
3341	Plumbers	80	90	80	90
3411	Electricians	80	90	80	90
3421	Airconditioning & Refrigeration Mechanics	80	90	80	90
3422	Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	80	90	80	90
3424	Telecommunications Trades Workers	90	95	90	95
3512	Butchers and Smallgoods Makers	90	95	90	95
3513	Chefs	120 (06/11/2025)	125	95	100
3514	Cooks	120 (05/01/2026)	125	95	100
3613	Veterinary Nurses	90	95	90	95
4111	Ambulance Officers and Paramedics	60	65	75	80
4112	Dental Hygienists, Technicians & Therapists	60	65	65	70
4113	Diversional Therapist	100	105	85	95
4114	Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses	95 (01/11/2025)	100	80	90
4117	Welfare Support Workers	65	75	80	90
5111	Contract, Program & Project Administrators	120	N/A	120	N/A

Critical Insights from the January 2026 Round

ACT Canberra Matrix outcomes are now highly score-driven, with competition varying sharply by occupation.

ICT and accounting professionals face the highest thresholds, generally requiring 125+ points to secure an invitation.

Healthcare and education occupations remain easily accessible, with successful invitations issued at significantly lower scores.

Hospitality roles show mixed trends, with higher competition for Canberra-based applicants and lower barriers for overseas candidates.

Trade occupations continue to offer stable opportunities, with moderate and consistent score requirements across both visa pathways.

Next Steps for Prospective Applicants

ACT nominations are score-driven, so applicants should first compare their Matrix score and submission date with the latest round outcomes.

Applicants already in the queue should avoid multiple submissions and instead focus on strengthening one competitive Matrix profile.

New applicants must start with an accurate self-assessment, realistic occupation selection, and a clear decision between Subclass 190 and 491.

Improving key factors such as English proficiency, Canberra employment or study, qualifications, and partner skills can significantly improve invitation chances.

Early preparation of skills assessments, English results, and supporting documents is essential to respond quickly after invitation.

How Growmore Immigration Can Help

Growmore Immigration offers clear, strategic help for those who are preparing for ACT nominations. We help aspirants by evaluating their existing Matrix score, providing practical strategies to increase it, and advising on the best employment and pathway between Subclasses 190 and 491. Our team carefully monitors every step of the process, from Matrix submission to nomination and visa filing to make sure you submit the strongest possible application at the right time.

So, contact us now to get a clear and practical guidance for your ACT nomination.

Email: info@growmore.one

WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021

Phone: +61 3 8764 3334

Source:

Canberra Matrix – Invitation Round

2025-26 Invitation round rankings PDF