ACT has released 7 key changes to the Canberra Matrix and their occupation list. Almost ALL of the news is good news! Let us break it down for you.
These changes are effective as of 1 July 2019.
Some Comments From Our Principal Migration Agent and Former-Immigration Officer
"Some people have been scared away by the major changes in 2018, but I would say that ACT remains a good option with some planning!"
1. 42 new occupations became 'open', while 6 occupations became 'closed'
What is the difference between 'open' and 'closed' ocupations for ACT?
'Open' occupations means that they are in-demand in the ACT and you will score an extra 20 points on the Canberra Matrix
'Closed' occupations means you can still apply for them, but you won't score the extra 20 points
The recently closed occupations are:
133111 Construction Project Manager
232511 Interior Designer
241213 Primary School Teacher
249311 Teacher of English to speakers of other languages
271311 Solicitor
351311 Chef
The recently opened occupations:
132511 Research and development man ager
232611 Urban and regional planner
234211 Chemist
234312 Environmental Consultant
234313 Environmental Research Scientist
234399 Environmental Scientists nec
234411 Geologist
234412 Geophysicist
234413 Hydrogeologist
234511 Life Scientist (general)
234513 Biochemist
234514 Biotechnologist
234515 Botanist
234516 Marine Biologist
234517 Microbiologist
234518 Zoologist
234519 Life Scientists nec
234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist
251511 Hospital Pharmacist ##
251512 Industrial Pharmacist ##
251513 Retail Pharmacist ##
253999 Medical practitioner (nec)
261111 ICT Business Analyst **
261112 Systems Analyst**
261211 Multimedia Specialist
261311 Analyst Programmer**
261312 Developer Programmer**
261313 Software Engineer**
261314 Software Tester**
261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec**
262111 Database Administrator**
262112 ICT Security Specialist**
262113 Systems Administrator**
263111 Computer Network & Systems Engineer**
263112 Network Administrator**
263113 Network Analyst**
263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer**
263212 ICT Support Engineer**
263213 ICT Systems Test Engineer**
263299 ICT Support and Test Engineers (nec)**
263311 Telecommunications Engineer**
263312 Telecommunications Network Engineer**
* Registration or licencing is required
** ** Employment Caveat. Minimum one year ACT employment contract (in the nominated occupation). The employment must be with a medium to large enterprise located in the ACT; or an academic appointment at an ACT tertiary institution.
## Minimum one year employment contract with an ACT employer
2. Current ACT residence criteria relaxed:
Definition of 'current' has changed from 'last 5 years' to 'last 8 years'
Maximum points increased to 25 points
3. ACT employment criteria relaxed:
If your nominated occupation is 'open', you will now score 20 points instead of 15 points
NEW category: Holder of employer-sponsored visa can now score an additional 15 points
4. ACT study maximum points available increased:
Maximum points increased from 15 to 20 points
If you have studied in ACT for more than 4 years, you can now score 20 points
5. 'Close family ties' ACT residency requirements increased to 2 years:
Previously, your Australian relatives (partner, children, parents, grandparents, siblings) can help you score 10 - 20 points if they've lived in ACT for at least 1 year
Now, they need to have lived in ACT for at least 2 years
6. 'Prospective applicants' category closed 30 June 2019:
10 points for those living in Canberra on/before 29 June 2018 is no longer available
7. Spouse/partner employment requirements changed:
Partners no longer need a current ACT job offer
Partners now need 'competent English' to add points
Partners now need to have worked for 6 months in the last 12 months (instead of 2 years)
Also, here's some extra news!
ACT previously announced that they will:
Decrease points rewarded for 1 academic year of study at an ACT tertiary institution from 5 points to 0 points
Increase ACT residency requirements for recent student visa/TR visa holders (within last 2 years) from 12 months to 2 years
These changes did not happen!
In fact, ACT residency requirements have actually decreased from 12 months to 3 months. However, before you get too excited, remember that "you are not eligible for ACT 190 nomination if you, your spouse/partner or children are living or have lived in another Australian state or territory within the last 12 months".
We have recently helped a number of clients successfully obtain Canberra state nomination. If you'd like to help you with this, please feel free to contact our migration experts today!
Source:
http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/workspace/uploads/documents/final-act-190-nomination-guidelines-1-july-2019.pdf
'Summary of Matrix Changes' from Skills Canberra