ACT Skilled Migration Update: Critical Skills List and Invitation Rounds Changes

The ACT Government conducted an invitation round on 15 September 2025 based on the interim allocation of 165 places for their Skilled Migration Program; breaking it down to:

85 places for Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
80 places for Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Several changes were made to the ACT Skilled Migration program 2025-26

The ACT government has updated the Critical Skills List for the 2025-26 program year; the list has been reduced from 152 ANZSCO occupations to 105 occupations.
The list has been renamed to ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (or the ACT Migration Occupation List for short).
Applications submitted in response to invitations from the September 2025 round will not be affected, even if the nominated occupation has been removed. However, invitations in future rounds will only be issued for occupations included on the updated occupation list.
PHD applicants will be invited as part of each invitation round unlike previously they were invited every 7 business days. Priority processing remains in place, but invitations under this pathway will be issued less frequently.
Applicants for Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (Subclass 457) or Skills in Demand (SID) (Subclass 482) visa pathway must be employed for at 6 months with their sponsoring employer on their employer-sponsored visa.
For SC491 and SC190 invitation has new guidelines where SC491 invitations are issued before SC190 invitations, which may affect an applicant’s chances of receiving an invitation. Applicants submitted as part of the September 2025 round remain unaffected.

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How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

If you have any questions about meeting the GSM visa program requirements, consult with an immigration lawyer for professional guidance. Our team of immigration lawyers at Agape Henry Crux work closely with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation with one of our lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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