ACT Invitation Rounds 2026–27: Schedule and Recent Canberra Matrix Scores
Updated: Oct 15
Last Updated: 15 October 2026
ACT held its first invitation round of 2026–27 on 12 October 2026. The round covered Subclass 190 only. ACT sent no Subclass 491 invitations.
ACT invited 261 applicants in total:
54 through the Doctorate Streamlined Pathway
18 Canberra small business owners
126 Canberra residents in critical skill occupations
63 overseas applicants in critical skill occupations
The highest minimum Matrix score ranked was 140, for ICT Business and Systems Analysts who live in Canberra.
Key takeaways
The round took place on 12 October 2026 and covered Subclass 190 only.
Canberra residents needed 65 to 140 points, depending on occupation.
ACT invited overseas applicants again. It invited none in June.
The next round is tentatively the week of 25 January 2027.
As of 15 October 2026, ACT still shows its 2026–27 nomination allocation as not yet announced.
ACT Invitation Round Schedule 2026–27
ACT has published four tentative invitation rounds for the 2026–27 program year:
Week of 12 October 2026, Subclass 190 only (held on 12 October 2026)
Week of 25 January 2027
Week of 22 March 2027
Week of 24 May 2027
ACT says these dates may change without notice. They depend on the final nomination allocation and ACT's operational needs.
As of 15 October 2026, ACT's website still shows the 2026–27 allocation as not yet announced. ACT has not said which subclasses the January, March and May rounds will include.
Key takeaway: A published schedule is not an invitation. You can only be invited if you have a current Canberra Matrix submitted. Invitations are sent by email and appear in the ACT Migration Application Portal.
What Is the ACT Invitation Round Minimum Matrix Score 2026 Australia?
The ACT invitation round minimum matrix score 2026 Australia shows the lowest score invited for each occupation under:
This score reflects actual invitation thresholds, not minimum visa requirements.
ACT ranks applicants based on their Matrix score. Higher-ranking candidates receive invitations first.
ACT Matrix Scores by Occupation (Full List)
The table below contains ACT’s minimum Matrix scores for every 2025–26 invitation round, from 15 September 2025 to 11 June 2026. For the 12 October 2026 round, use the full table in the Latest Round section above. Search by occupation or ANZSCO code.
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Latest Round: 12 October 2026
ACT invited the highest ranked Matrix in each occupation. The cut-off depended on the remaining monthly allocation, the date and time you submitted your Matrix, the occupation cap and demand.
Round at a glance
Pathway | Subclass 190 invitations | Minimum Matrix score |
Doctorate Streamlined Pathway | 54 | Not listed |
Canberra residents, Small Business Owners | 18 | 120 |
Canberra residents, Critical Skill Occupations | 126 | Varies by occupation |
Overseas applicants, Critical Skill Occupations | 63 | Varies by occupation |
ACT issued no Subclass 491 invitations in any pathway.
Who ACT will not invite
ACT sets three limits that apply to every round:
ACT does not issue an invitation if you have an active application in the system.
ACT does not issue an invitation if you have previously received ACT nomination.
ACT does not prioritise a Matrix because of personal circumstances. This includes visa expiry dates and critical birthdays.
ACT also does not respond to requests for ranking information or the likelihood of an invitation.
12 October 2026 scores: popular occupations
The table shows the lowest Matrix score ranked for Canberra residents applying for Subclass 190.
Occupation (ANZSCO) | 11 June 2026 | 12 October 2026 | Change |
Plumbers (3341) | 90 | 90 | No change |
Roof Tilers (3333) | 90 | 90 | No change |
Motor Mechanics (3212) | 110 | 110 | No change |
Civil Engineering Professionals (2332) | 110 | 115 | +5 |
Registered Nurses (2544) | 105 | 115 | +10 |
Chefs (3513) | 125 | 125 | No change |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (2411) | 125 | 130 | +5 |
Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 130 | 130 | No change |
Accountants (2211) | Not considered | 135 | Not comparable |
ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) | Not considered | 140 | Not comparable |
Key takeaway: Accountants and ICT Business and Systems Analysts returned after ACT did not consider them in June. Registered Nurses rose from 105 to 115.
Highest and lowest scores, Canberra residents
ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) had the highest minimum score at 140.
Five occupations needed 135:
Accountants (2211)
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers (2212)
Other Engineering Professionals (2339)
ICT Support and Test Engineers (2632)
ICT Support Technicians (3131)
Eight occupations needed 130:
ICT Managers (1351)
Cafe and Restaurant Managers (1411)
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (2411)
Software and Applications Programmers (2613)
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (2621)
Computer Network Professionals (2631)
Cooks (3514)
Contract, Program and Project Administrators (5111)
The lowest score was 65. It applied to 27 occupations, mostly in health, education and community services. These included Midwives, Nurse Managers, Nurse Educators and Researchers, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Counsellors, Special Education Teachers, Child Care Centre Managers, and Ambulance Officers and Paramedics.
Most construction and automotive trades sat between 90 and 100. Painting Trades Workers (115) and Motor Mechanics (110) were higher.
ACT did not consider any Matrix submissions for Vocational Education Teachers / Polytechnic Teachers (2422) or Telecommunications Engineering Professionals (2633).
Dates next to some scores
ACT lists a date next to five Canberra resident scores:
Accountants: 135 (1/10/2026)
Software and Applications Programmers: 130 (7/9/2026)
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists: 130 (16/9/2026)
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers: 130 (24/8/2026)
Electronics Engineers: 115 (3/8/2026)
ACT ranks Matrix submissions with the same score by submission date and time. The date shows how far ACT reached within that score. If you submitted on the same score after that date, ACT did not reach your Matrix in this round.
12 October 2026 scores: overseas applicants (Subclass 190)
Overseas applicants are ranked separately. The table compares the 6 May 2026 round with the 12 October 2026 round.
Occupation (ANZSCO) | 6 May 2026 | 12 October 2026 |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (2411) | 80 | 80 |
Registered Nurses (2544) | 90 | 80 |
Chefs (3513) | 95 | 90 |
Civil Engineering Professionals (2332) | 90 | 90 |
Motor Mechanics (3212) | 90 | 90 |
Plumbers (3341) | 90 | 90 |
Roof Tilers (3333) | 90 | 90 |
Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 105 | 105 |
Accountants (2211) | 115 | 110 |
ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) | 100 | 120 |
The highest overseas score was 120 for ICT Business and Systems Analysts. Computer Network Professionals followed at 115, then Accountants at 110.
11 June 2026 Invitation Round
The last round of the 2025–26 program year was held on 11 June 2026.
Subclass 190: 77 invitations — 8 Doctorate Streamlined Pathway, 3 Small Business Owners (minimum score 110), 66 Critical Skill Occupations (Canberra residents)
Subclass 491: 5 invitations — Doctorate Streamlined Pathway only
Overseas applicants: no invitations for either subclass
11 June 2026 Scores: Popular Occupations
In the June round, ACT only considered Subclass 190 Matrix submissions from Canberra residents. Subclass 491 and overseas submissions were not considered (marked N/A by ACT).
The table compares the lowest Matrix score ranked in June with the May round, for Subclass 190 Canberra residents.
Occupation (ANZSCO) | 6 May 2026 | 11 June 2026 |
Accountants (2211) | 135 | Not considered |
ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) | 130 | Not considered |
Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 130 | 130 |
Chefs (3513) | 130 | 125 |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (2411) | 125 | 125 |
Civil Engineering Professionals (2332) | 110 | 110 |
Motor Mechanics (3212) | 110 | 110 |
Registered Nurses (2544) | 105 | 105 |
Plumbers (3341) | 90 | 90 |
Roof Tilers (3333) | 90 | 90 |
Highest and lowest scores in June 2026
Occupation (ANZSCO) | Minimum Matrix score ranked |
Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 130 |
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (2621) | 130 |
ICT Support and Test Engineers (2632) | 130 |
Cafe and Restaurant Managers (1411) | 130 |
Chefs (3513) | 125 |
Cooks (3514) | 125 |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers (2411) | 125 |
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians (3122) | 120 |
Electronics Engineers (2334) | 115 |
Canberra Resident vs Overseas Applicants
Canberra residents and overseas applicants are ranked in separate pools. You can't compare their minimum scores directly.
In the 12 October 2026 round, ACT invited 126 Canberra residents and 63 overseas applicants in critical skill occupations. In the 11 June 2026 round, ACT invited no overseas applicants.
Overseas cut-offs were lower than resident cut-offs in most ICT, accounting and education occupations. Accountants needed 110 overseas against 135 for residents. Early Childhood Teachers needed 80 overseas against 130 for residents.
In health occupations the pattern reverses. Most medical, allied health and nursing management occupations were 65 for residents and 80 for overseas applicants.
Overseas applicants still received fewer invitations. In the 6 May 2026 round, overseas applicants received 38 of 194 Subclass 190 invitations and 33 of 142 Subclass 491 invitations.
What Is a Good ACT Matrix Score in 2026?
A competitive score depends on your occupation. The table uses the 12 October 2026 round for Subclass 190.
Occupation group | Canberra residents | Overseas applicants |
Accounting and auditing | 135 | 100 to 110 |
ICT (managers, analysts, programmers, network, support) | 130 to 140 | 95 to 120 |
Hospitality (chefs, cooks, cafe managers) | 125 to 130 | 90 to 95 |
Early childhood teaching | 130 | 80 |
Engineering (civil, electrical, electronics, mechanical) | 105 to 115 | 90 |
Registered Nurses | 115 | 80 |
Most construction trades | 90 to 100 | 90 to 95 |
Most medical and allied health | 65 | 80 |
These ranges come from one Subclass 190 round. Cut-offs in January 2027 may be higher or lower, depending on the 2026–27 allocation.
Use your Canberra Matrix score against your own occupation line, not against the highest score in the table. If you also want to check your federal points, use RACC's skilled migration points calculator.
How to Improve Your ACT Matrix Score
If your score does not meet recent cut-offs, focus on improving key areas:
Increase your English test results
Gain additional skilled work experience
Add partner points if eligible
Secure employment in Canberra
Consider alternative visa pathways
Small improvements can significantly impact your ranking.
Common Mistake Applicants Make
Many applicants confuse the 65-point Home Affairs points test with the Canberra Matrix score. They are two different systems.
The 65 points is the minimum to lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.
The Canberra Matrix is ACT's own scoring system, used to rank applicants for nomination.
Meeting 65 points makes you eligible to apply. It does not mean you will be invited by ACT.
ACT Invitation Round FAQ
What is the ACT invitation round minimum matrix score 2026 Australia?
It is the lowest score ACT invited in a specific round for each occupation under subclass 190 and 491 visas.
What was the latest ACT invitation round?
The latest round was on 12 October 2026. It was the first round of 2026–27 and covered Subclass 190 only. ACT invited 261 applicants: 54 through the Doctorate Streamlined Pathway, 18 small business owners, 126 Canberra residents and 63 overseas applicants in critical skill occupations.
Did ACT invite Subclass 491 applicants in October 2026?
No. ACT sent no Subclass 491 invitations in the 12 October 2026 round. ACT limited the round to Subclass 190. ACT has not confirmed which subclasses the later 2026–27 rounds will cover.
Which occupation had the highest ACT Matrix score in October 2026?
ICT Business and Systems Analysts had the highest score. Canberra residents needed 140 points for a Subclass 190 invitation. Accountants, Auditors, Other Engineering Professionals, ICT Support and Test Engineers, and ICT Support Technicians followed at 135.
Did ACT invite overseas applicants in October 2026?
Yes. ACT invited 63 overseas applicants in critical skill occupations for Subclass 190. ACT invited none in the 11 June 2026 round. The highest overseas minimum score was 120, for ICT Business and Systems Analysts.
When is the next ACT invitation round?
ACT's tentative schedule shows the next round in the week of 25 January 2027. Later rounds are tentatively the weeks of 22 March 2027 and 24 May 2027. ACT can change these dates without notice.
How many ACT nomination places are there for 2026–27?
ACT has not published the number. As of 15 October 2026, its website shows the 2026–27 allocation as not yet announced. ACT says it will update the page when the Australian Government confirms the allocation.
Is 65 points enough for ACT nomination?
No. Sixty-five points is the Home Affairs minimum to lodge an EOI. ACT ranks applicants using its own Canberra Matrix score, which is a separate system. Meeting 65 points does not mean ACT will invite you.
Which occupations have lower ACT scores?
Health, education and community occupations have the lowest scores. Twenty-seven occupations had a minimum score of 65 for Canberra residents in October 2026. ICT, accounting and hospitality occupations need the highest scores.
Why are ACT scores so high?
ACT has limited nomination places and ranks applicants by Matrix score within each occupation. When many applicants submit in one occupation, the cut-off rises. ACT also publishes only the lowest score invited. That score is an indication, not a guarantee.
Final Thoughts
The ACT invitation round minimum matrix score 2026 Australia provides a clear benchmark for migration planning.
You should not rely on minimum eligibility. You need to compare your score against real invitation data and adjust your strategy accordingly.
How RACC Can Help
Understanding the ACT invitation round minimum matrix score 2026 Australia is only the first step. Many applicants still miss invitations because their profile does not rank competitively within their occupation.
RACC helps you assess your real position based on recent ACT invitation data and guides you on how to improve your Matrix score effectively. We focus on practical strategies that align with current ACT selection trends, not just basic eligibility.
Our team can assist you with:
Evaluating your ACT Matrix score against recent invitation rounds
Identifying realistic pathways for subclass 190 or 491 nomination
Advising on ways to increase your points and ranking
Reviewing your occupation and nomination options across states
If you would like to explore your options, you can book a consultation with our migration team.
Registered Migration Agents: MARN 1572961 | MARN 1172003
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