Immigration Lawyer in Canberra
An immigration lawyer in Canberra prepares visa applications, ACT Government nomination submissions and reviews of refused decisions, and this guide shows which of those you need before you enquire. Enquiries from this site go to Australian Migration Lawyers. This site does not compare law firms.
Canberra Matrix points calculator
Conditions
Bank statements must prove your arrival date and your residence. Record any absence of seven days or more.
Conditions
Needs a valid English test result at the level claimed.
Conditions
The partner must meet the Home Affairs level claimed, or hold an Australian passport (which counts as Competent only).
Conditions
The occupation must be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Conditions
Majority owner (at least 51%) of a profitable ACT business. Taxable income to the owner of at least A$32,000 in six months (190) or A$16,000 in three months (491). Employee conditions apply.
Conditions
At least 20 hours a week for each week claimed. Employment need not be continuous.
Conditions
At least 20 hours a week for the 13 weeks before submission. Employees earn at least A$31 an hour.
Conditions
The partner works in the ACT or the surrounding commuter region, with Competent English or an Australian passport.
Conditions
The qualification must be recorded on your SkillSelect EOI.
Conditions
Full-time, in person, CRICOS-registered course or Professional Year at an ACT institution in the last eight years.
Conditions
The relative is an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Canberra for the last two years.
Conditions
At least A$250,000 cash invested in ACT residential or commercial property. Land alone does not count.
Conditions
Evidenced by bank statements and your Home Affairs International Movement Record. A visit means at least seven consecutive nights.
Conditions
The occupation must be on the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Conditions
Needs a valid English test result at the level claimed.
Conditions
The partner must meet the Home Affairs level claimed, or hold an Australian passport (which counts as Competent only).
Conditions
Full-time, in Canberra, available for at least six months, and advertised in the last three months.
Conditions
Needs a valid skills assessment with points advice showing the dates assessed.
Conditions
The partner has worked full time for at least six of the last 12 months, with Competent English or an Australian passport.
Conditions
The qualification must be recorded on your SkillSelect EOI.
Conditions
Full-time, in person, CRICOS-registered course or Professional Year at an ACT institution in the last eight years.
Conditions
The relative has lived in Canberra for the last two years.
Conditions
One option only: A$250,000 cash in ACT property, or a majority-owned profitable ACT business held for six months.
Point values as published on the ACT Government's Canberra Matrix score pages (page copies dated 10 August 2026). This is a total of the points you pick, not a ranking, an invitation or a nomination decision. Each claim must be evidenced when you submit.
What does an immigration lawyer prepare?
| Migration matter | Lawyer task | Information to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application | Prepares the application and the evidence behind each claim. | Current visa details, passport and application records. |
| ACT nomination | Prepares the ACT submission, which is separate from the visa application. | SkillSelect EOI, Canberra Matrix claims, residence and employment records. |
| Refused decision | Reads the decision letter for any review right and its time limit. | The decision notice and the date you received it. |
How does ACT nomination fit your application?
The ACT Government decides ACT nomination; the Department of Home Affairs decides the visa. Nomination comes first:
- Submit a valid expression of interest in SkillSelect.
- Score your claims in the Canberra Matrix, using the calculator above.
- If the ACT invites you, apply for nomination. Dates are on the Canberra Matrix invitation round page.
The ACT 190 nomination page covers the permanent visa pathway. Is Canberra a regional area? That page explains the category and what it does not decide.
What happens after a visa refusal?
The decision letter says whether the decision can be reviewed. For visa refusals the Administrative Review Tribunal states that its time limits are very strict and that it has no power to extend them (page copy dated 29 August 2026). The page on the Administrative Review Tribunal in Canberra gives the Canberra registry and the steps.
What should accompany an enquiry?
- A short summary of the matter.
- Current visa details.
- Application records.
- ACT nomination records, including the EOI and Matrix claims.
- Decision letters, and the date you received them.
How does this guide handle enquiries?
The form sends your message to Australian Migration Lawyers, a law practice. Its Canberra page states fixed-fee or milestone billing, with government charges billed separately (read 19 October 2026). Its terms offer a free initial consultation only for onshore protection visas, family visas and section 501 character matters, subject to qualification and lawyer availability. Skilled visa and ACT nomination matters are not among them.
Next step
An application prepared by an Australian migration lawyer is more likely to succeed. The lawyer reads the ACT criteria against your evidence before lodging, one missed criterion or document can refuse an application, and deadlines are strict. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
Sources and dates
ACT Government: Canberra Matrix invitation round · page copy dated 15 October 2026
Administrative Review Tribunal: immigration and citizenship · page copy dated 29 August 2026
ACT Government: ACT Government nomination · page copy dated 11 December 2025