ACT Skilled Migration Update 2026: New Fees, Timeline and What Changes
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Last updated: 13 July 2026
ACT Migration is replacing its Canberra Matrix and nomination application portal ahead of the 2026–27 invitation rounds. The current portal becomes unavailable from the week starting 13 July 2026, and the new portal is scheduled to go live the week of 27 July 2026. From 2026–27, total ACT nomination costs $350 (exclusive of GST) — the first fee increase to ACT Migration in 14 years.
If you hold an existing Canberra Matrix submission or plan to lodge one for Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 nomination, this guide breaks down exactly what changes, what stays the same, and what to check before the new system launches.
Key Takeaways ACT Skilled Migration Update 2026
Portal downtime: the existing portal is unavailable from the week commencing 13 July 2026 until the new portal launches
Launch date: the new portal is scheduled for the week starting 27 July 2026, subject to change
New total fee: $350 exclusive of GST ($25 Canberra Matrix submission + $325 nomination application)
Existing submissions: transferred automatically, but locked from editing once transferred
Matrix validity: still six months, extendable to 12 months with an update before expiry
When Does the ACT Portal Change Happen?
The current ACT Migration portal stops accepting new Canberra Matrix submissions and nomination applications from the week commencing 13 July 2026. ACT Migration has not published an exact reopening date — the new portal is scheduled for the week starting 27 July 2026, but this remains subject to change.
This means a gap of roughly two weeks where applicants cannot lodge a new Canberra Matrix through either system. If your Matrix score, English result, or employment situation is close to a threshold and you were planning to submit before the cutover, that window has already passed for the current portal. Your next opportunity to submit is once the new portal opens.
What's New in the ACT Nomination Portal?
ACT Migration built the new portal to modernise a system that had not changed materially in several years.
The five headline improvements are:
Multi-factor authentication. Applicant and agent accounts require a second verification step at login, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to submitted Matrix data.
Edit and withdraw functionality. For the first time, applicants can edit a live Canberra Matrix submission or withdraw it entirely without needing to contact ACT Migration directly. This applies only to submissions made through the new portal — see the section on existing submissions below.
Live application status updates. Applicants and agents can track where a submission sits in the process, rather than waiting for email correspondence.
Improved mobile access. The portal redesign specifically targets usability on mobile devices, relevant for applicants completing submissions from overseas.
Stronger integrity checks. ACT Migration states the new system includes measures to reduce non-genuine expressions of interest — submissions lodged without a genuine intention to proceed, which can crowd out invitation rounds for competitive occupations.
What Are the New ACT Nomination Fees for 2026–27?
From the 2026–27 program year, total ACT nomination costs $350, exclusive of GST, split across two separate charges:
Fee component | Amount (ex GST) |
Canberra Matrix submission | $25 |
ACT nomination application (Subclass 190/491) | $325 |
RCB support for an SESR (Subclass 494) visa | $325 |
Total for one Matrix submission | $350 |
This is the first increase to ACT Migration fees in 14 years. ACT Migration attributes the increase to the operating cost of the new portal system. Note that the $25 Matrix fee applies per submission — if you edit your Matrix, that edit counts as a new submission for ranking purposes (see below), but ACT Migration has not indicated whether each edit also incurs a fresh $25 charge, so confirm this directly with ACT Migration or your migration agent before lodging updates.
Processing times and fees for other RACC visa services are covered on our Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) pages.
How Does Canberra Matrix Validity Work Now?
A Canberra Matrix submission remains valid for six months from the date of submission. Applicants can extend that validity to a maximum of 12 months by updating the Matrix before it expires.
Editing a Matrix carries no additional fee for the update itself, but the edit is treated as a new submission for assessment and ranking purposes. Two consequences follow from this:
Your claims must be current at the update date, not the original submission date — even if the points you claim haven't changed, you must be able to demonstrate you still meet the ACT Nomination Guidelines at the time of the edit.
Tiebreaking now uses the last-updated date. Where two applicants in the same occupation have identical scores, ACT Migration ranks them by the date their Matrix was most recently updated, not the date it was first created. An applicant who updates a Matrix more recently can now rank ahead of one who submitted earlier but never updated.
What Happens to Your Existing Canberra Matrix Submission?
If you already hold a valid Canberra Matrix submission, ACT Migration transfers it automatically to the new portal. You don't need to resubmit.
Three things to plan around:
Account creation is required. To view a transferred submission, you must create a new account using the same email address used for the original submission.
Transferred submissions may take up to a week to appear. Expect a delay of up to one week after the new portal launches before your existing submission is visible in the new system.
Transferred submissions cannot be edited. They remain valid and can be withdrawn if needed, but the edit function only applies to submissions made directly through the new portal — not to ones carried over from the old system.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new ACT Migration portal launch?
The new portal is scheduled to go live in the week starting 27 July 2026. ACT Migration has flagged this date as subject to change, so applicants should check the ACT Migration website closer to the date rather than plan around it as fixed.
Can I still submit a Canberra Matrix right now?
No. The existing portal stopped accepting new Canberra Matrix submissions and nomination applications from the week commencing 13 July 2026. New submissions can only resume once the new portal launches.
Will my existing Canberra Matrix submission still be valid?
Yes. Existing submissions transfer automatically and keep their original validity period. You cannot edit a transferred submission, but you can withdraw it if your circumstances change.
How much does ACT nomination cost from 2026–27?
Total cost is $350 exclusive of GST for one Canberra Matrix submission: $25 for the Matrix and $325 for the nomination application. Costs increase if you lodge more than one Matrix submission.
Does editing my Canberra Matrix reset my place in the queue?
It changes your ranking position relative to applicants with the same score, because ranking now uses the date of last update rather than original submission date. It does not reset your six-month validity clock unless the edit is what extends it.
Plan Your ACT Nomination Strategy Before the Portal Reopens
The two-week portal gap, the first fee increase in 14 years, and the shift to last-updated ranking each change how competitive an ACT nomination strategy needs to be for 2026–27. If you're weighing whether to hold your position on an existing Matrix, submit fresh once the new portal opens, or compare ACT against other state and regional nomination pathways, speak with our registered migration agents before the first 2026–27 invitation round is scheduled.
This article summarises official information published by ACT Migration. Program settings can change — always confirm current details on the ACT Migration website before lodging or relying on this information for a visa application. This is general information only and does not constitute migration advice.
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