ACT 2025 March 20th Invitation Data Analysis

Amid the constantly changing immigration policies, every new round of invitations from the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Sponsorship Program attracts significant attention. On 20 March 2025, the ACT issued a new round of invitations, bringing valuable insights to those following Australian immigration developments. Let’s take a closer look at the key details from this official update.

1. Overview of Invited Applicants and Visa Categories

In this round of invitations, the ACT issued invitations to a total of 639 eligible skilled workers. These invitations were distributed across two main visa subclasses:

• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): A total of 283 invitations were issued. This visa is a direct pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who wish to live and work long-term in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): 356 invitations were issued. The 491 visa is aimed at applicants who are willing to live and work in designated regional areas of the ACT. While it is a provisional visa, it can transition to permanent residency after meeting certain requirements.

Overall, the number of invitations for the 491 subclass slightly exceeded the 190 subclass, which may reflect the ACT’s proactive efforts to develop regional areas by attracting skilled workers to live and work in those regions.

2. Invitation Status for Different Applicant Categories

• Small Business Owners: This group also accounted for a significant portion of ACT sponsorship invitations. The 190 subclass issued 11 invitations to small business owners, while the 491 subclass issued 5 invitations. Small business owners play an important role in enhancing the diversity and vibrancy of the local economy. The ACT’s support for this group helps encourage more entrepreneurial activity and job creation in the region.

• 457/482 Visa Holders: ACT issued 43 invitations to holders of the 457 or 482 visas. These individuals typically have established work experience in Australia, are familiar with the Australian workplace and market, and can bring valuable technical and managerial expertise to ACT businesses.

• Key Skills Occupation Applicants: This group comprised the majority of the invitations in this round, with 469 invitations issued to applicants possessing critical skills essential for the ACT economy. This highlights the ACT’s strong demand for key skills professionals whose expertise can help address local workforce shortages and drive economic growth in critical sectors. For example, in emerging industries and key fields such as information technology, healthcare, and engineering, the invitation of key skills professionals will significantly boost the development of these industries.

• Key Skills Occupation (Overseas Applicants): The ACT also issued 116 invitations to overseas applicants with critical skills. In the increasingly competitive global talent market, the ACT’s efforts to attract overseas key skills professionals can bring international expertise and innovation, enhancing the local industries’ international competitiveness.

3. Invitation Scores and Ranking Mechanism

The ACT’s Canberra Matrix invitation system uses a variety of complex factors to determine who will receive an invitation. In the March 20th round, the minimum Matrix scores required for different categories of applicants were as follows:

• Small Business Owners: The minimum score for the 190 subclass visa was 120 points, while for the 491 subclass visa, it was 115 points. This suggests that small business owners wishing to gain an invitation through the ACT nomination program need to demonstrate a high level of business operations, asset conditions, and potential contributions to the local economy.

• 457/482 Visa Holders: The score requirements for this group tend to be more flexible, with variations depending on the occupation and specific circumstances. However, these applicants, with their existing Australian work experience and relevant skills, generally have a competitive advantage in the points system.

• Key Skills Occupation Applicants: The required scores for these applicants vary widely, depending on factors such as the demand for the occupation, work experience, educational background, and language proficiency. For example, highly sought-after and in-demand key skills occupations may require higher Matrix scores to receive an invitation, while occupations with lower demand may have more modest score requirements.

• Key Skills Occupation (Overseas Applicants): For overseas applicants, the invitation score is also influenced by various factors. Since they lack Australian work experience, their performance in areas such as education, language proficiency, and international recognition of their skills becomes even more crucial. Generally, applicants in this category need to achieve a high standard in these areas to compensate for their lack of local experience.

It’s important to note that ACT invitations are issued to the highest-ranking applications within each occupation under the Matrix system. The cut-off scores can vary depending on several factors, including the number of remaining nomination places for the month, the date and time of Matrix submission, the occupation ceilings, and the overall demand for each occupation. This means that even if an applicant meets the published minimum score, it does not guarantee an invitation. Additionally, individuals with active applications in the system or those who have already received an ACT nomination in the past are not eligible for an invitation in this round. Moreover, Matrix submissions for occupations deemed as critical may be prioritised.

From the March 20th invitation data, we can see that the ACT’s nomination program is continuously adjusting and optimising according to the local economic development needs and workforce market conditions. For applicants, understanding this data and keeping up with policy changes is crucial for developing a strategic approach to immigration.

If you have any questions about Australian visa applications or need professional assistance, feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration. We specialise in providing transparent, professional migration services, helping you successfully obtain visas and achieve your goal of moving to Australia.