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ACT Nomination for the Subclass 491 Visa

ACT nomination for the subclass 491 visa is the Australian Capital Territory's route to a skilled regional provisional visa, which Home Affairs describes as a visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.

Check the ACT nomination requirements separately from the Home Affairs visa requirements before preparing a submission.

Resident: living in Canberra3 monthsAt submission, and until invitation.
Resident: working in Canberra13 weeksAt least 15 hours a week in 13 of the 15 weeks before submission.
Overseas: experience1 yearFull-time, in the nominated occupation, in the last five years.
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How does the 491 differ from the 190?

The ACT describes the 491 as a five-year provisional visa. Its ACT criteria are lighter on time and experience. Compare with Canberra 190 visa nomination.

CriterionACT 491ACT 190
VisaProvisional, five yearsPermanent
Resident: living in Canberra3 months6 months
Resident: working in Canberra13 weeks, 15 hours or more a week in 13 of 15 weeks26 weeks, 30 hours or more a week in 26 of 30 weeks
EnglishCompetentProficient or Superior
Overseas: experience1 year3 years
Commitment and fee2 years in Canberra; A$325The same

Do not carry 190 rules across. The ACT also marks some occupations “491 only” on its list, see the ACT skilled occupation list.

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What do residents need?

  • Lived in Canberra at least three months at submission, and until invitation.
  • Worked in Canberra at least 13 weeks, with genuine employment and an employer statutory declaration.
  • English at Competent level, unless the assessing authority requires higher.
  • A pathway: listed occupation, Doctorate Streamlined or Small Business Owner.
  • A signed commitment to live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant.
§03

What do overseas applicants need?

  • At least one year of full-time post-graduate experience in the nominated occupation in the last five years, assessed as relevant.
  • Not lived in Australia for the last 12 months, and no current Australian visa except a visitor visa.
  • Competent English, an employment statement, a commitment statement and access to settlement funds.
  • A declaration to live and work in Canberra for at least two years from arrival.
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Is Canberra regional for the 491?

The visa is for regional Australia and Canberra is a Category 2 location. Is Canberra regional sets out what that does and does not decide. The ACT’s own 491 criteria apply whatever the category.

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Next step

Mixing up 190 and 491 rules is an easy way to claim what you cannot prove. An application prepared by an Australian migration lawyer is more likely to succeed. A Canberra migration lawyer tests each claim against the 491 criteria, and a Canberra immigration lawyer can also say whether the 190 suits you better. The process is set out under how ACT nomination works.

REF

Sources and dates

ACT Government: 491 nomination criteria · page copy dated 10 August 2026

ACT Government: 491, Canberra resident eligibility · page copy dated 10 August 2026

ACT Government: 491, overseas applicant eligibility · page copy dated 10 August 2026

Department of Home Affairs: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) · page updated 2 October 2026