ACT Occupation List 2025: Is Your Job Eligible for Australia Migration?

Explore the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List 2025 — key eligible jobs, visa options, and benefits for skilled migrants in Canberra.

Gurmeet Sharma

Oct 13, 2025 - 15:50

Oct 13, 2025 - 17:51

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Introduction

The ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (formerly the ACT Critical Skills List) is one of the most crucial tools for skilled migrants who want to live and work in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. It identifies occupations that are currently in high demand in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and helps determine eligibility for ACT nomination under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).

If you’re planning to migrate to Australia, understanding this list is essential — it’s your key to knowing whether your skills match the ACT’s current workforce needs and how you can increase your chances of nomination under the Canberra Matrix points system.

Benefits of the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List

1. Clear Pathways for Skilled Migration

The ACT Occupation List provides clear guidance on which occupations are eligible for nomination under the 491 and 190 visa subclasses. This transparency helps skilled professionals avoid confusion and focus on the right visa category.

For example, professionals in engineering, healthcare, ICT, and education can use the list to see if their ANZSCO occupation code qualifies for state nomination.
You can check full details on the official Department of Home Affairs website.

Visa Type	Visa Subclass	Description
Skilled Nominated Visa	190	Permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa	491	Temporary visa allowing work and residence in regional areas, leading to permanent residency later.

This structure ensures migrants can choose the right visa stream based on occupation and experience — reducing the chance of application rejections.

2. Supports ACT’s Growing Economy

Each year, the ACT Government updates the occupation list based on economic demand and workforce shortages.
This ensures that skilled migration aligns with Canberra’s strategic needs, including sectors like education, healthcare, construction, technology, and renewable energy.

Migrants filling these roles contribute to the local economy while enjoying access to career growth, lifestyle benefits, and long-term settlement opportunities.
If your field appears on the ACT Nominated Occupation List, it means your profession directly supports Canberra’s development priorities.

3. Canberra Matrix Advantage

Applicants who nominate an occupation listed on the ACT Occupation List receive additional points in the Canberra Matrix — the ACT’s unique ranking system for migration eligibility.
The higher your points, the better your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for ACT nomination.

The Matrix considers factors like:

Employment in the ACT
English proficiency
Education level
Length of stay in Canberra
Spouse/partner employment

Having a listed occupation can boost your total Matrix score, putting you ahead of other applicants in similar categories.

4. Annual Updates for Relevance and Fairness

The ACT Government reviews and updates the list annually to reflect changing economic and labour market conditions.
The most recent update, on 10 October 2025, ensures that only occupations truly in demand are prioritized — maintaining fairness and relevance for all applicants.

If demand in a specific occupation exceeds available nomination spots, caps may apply to manage program balance.
This transparent process ensures equitable access and a sustainable migration flow for Canberra’s economy.

5. Greater Opportunities for Professionals and Graduates

The ACT Occupation List doesn’t just cater to experienced professionals — it also opens doors for international graduates from ACT institutions who are already contributing to the local economy.

If you’ve completed a degree in Canberra and your occupation is on the list, your pathway to permanent residency becomes significantly smoother.
This encourages skilled talent to stay, work, and build long-term careers within the ACT.

For instance, healthcare professionals, ICT experts, teachers, and engineers are regularly featured, making the ACT an attractive destination for young professionals and families.

Overview of Key Occupation Categories (October 2025 Update)

Here’s a snapshot of some of the key occupation groups currently included in the ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List (October 2025):

ANZSCO Unit Group	Unit Group Code	ANZSCO Code	NOMINATED OCCUPATION
Construction Managers	1331	133111	construction project manager
Construction Managers	1331	133112	project builder (491 Only)
Engineering Managers	1332	133211	engineering manager
Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers	1336	133611	supply and distribution manager
Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers	1336	133612	procurement manager (491 Only)
Child Care Centre Managers	1341	134111	child care centre manager
Health and Welfare Services	1342	134211	medical administrator
		134212	nursing clinical director
		134213	primary health organisation manager
		134214	welfare centre manager
		134299	health and welfare services managers (nec)
ICT Managers	1351	135112	ICT project manager
ICT Managers	1351	135199	ICT managers (nec)
Other Specialist Managers	1399	139911	arts administrator or manager
		139912	environmental manager
		139913	laboratory manager
		139914	quality assurance manager
		139915	sports administrator (491 Only)
		139999	specialist managers (nec)
Cafe and Restaurant Managers	1411	141111	cafe or restaurant manager
Hotel and Motel Managers	1413	141311	hotel or motel manager
Accountants	2211	221111	accountant (general)
		221112	management accountant
		221113	taxation accountant
Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers	2212	221211	company secretary
		221213	external auditor
		221214	internal auditor
Archivists, Curators and Records Managers	2242	224213	health information manager
Architects and Landscape Architects	2321	232111	architect
Architects and Landscape Architects	2321	232112	landscape architect
Surveyors and Spatial Scientists	2322	232212	surveyor
Urban and Regional Planners	2326	232611	urban and regional planner
Civil Engineering Professionals	2332	233211	civil engineer
		233212	geotechnical engineer
		233213	quantity surveyor
		233214	structural engineer
		233215	transport engineer
Electrical Engineers	2333	233311	electrical engineer
Electronics Engineers	2334	233411	electronics engineer
Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers	2335	233511	industrial engineer
		233512	mechanical engineer
		233513	production or plant engineer
Other Engineering Professionals	2339	233911	aeronautical engineer
		233912	agricultural engineer
		233913	biomedical engineer
		233914	engineering technologist
		233915	environmental engineer
		233916	naval architect
		233999	engineering professionals (nec)
Environmental Scientists	2343	234311	conservation officer (491 Only)
		234312	environmental consultant
		234313	environmental research scientist
		234399	environmental scientist (nec)
Life Scientists	2345	234511	life scientist (general)
Life Scientists	2345	234599	life scientists (nec)
Medical Laboratory Scientists	2346	234611	medical laboratory scientist
Veterinarians	2347	234711	veterinarian
Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	2349	234914	physicist
Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	2349	234999	natural and physical science professionals (nec)
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	2411	241111	early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher
Primary School Teachers	2412	241213	primary school teacher
Middle School Teachers Intermediate School Teachers	2413	241311	middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ)
Secondary School Teachers	2414	241411	secondary school teacher
Vocational Education Teachers Polytechnic Teachers	2422	242211	vocational education teacher (491 Only)
Special Education Teachers	2415	241511	special needs teacher
		241512	teacher of the hearing impaired
		241513	teacher of the sight impaired
		241599	special education teachers (nec)
Nutrition Professionals	2511	251111	dietitian
Nutrition Professionals	2511	251112	nutritionist
Medical Imaging Professionals	2512	251211	medical diagnostic radiographer
		251212	medical radiation therapist
		251213	nuclear medicine technologist
		251214	sonographer
Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals	2513	251311	environmental health officer (491 Only)
Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals	2513	251312	occupational health and safety adviser
Optometrists and Orthoptists	2514	251411	optometrist
Optometrists and Orthoptists	2514	251412	orthoptist
Pharmacists	2515	251511	hospital pharmacist
		251512	industrial pharmacist
		251513	retail pharmacist
Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals	2519	251911	health promotion officer
		251912	orthotist or prosthetist
		251999	health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec)
Chiropractors and Osteopaths	2521	252111	chiropractor
Chiropractors and Osteopaths	2521	252112	osteopath
Complementary Health Therapists	2522	252211	acupuncturist
		252213	naturopath
		252214	traditional Chinese medicine practitioner
		252299	complementary health therapists (nec)
Dental Practitioners	2523	252311	dental specialist
Dental Practitioners	2523	252312	dentist (491 Only)
Occupational Therapists	2524	252411	occupational therapist
Physiotherapists	2525	252511	physiotherapist
Podiatrists	2526	252611	podiatrist
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists Therapists	2527	252711	audiologist
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists Therapists	2527	252712	speech pathologist
General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers	2531	253111	general practitioner
General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers	2531	253112	resident medical officer
Anaesthetists	2532	253211	anaesthetist (491 Only)
Specialist Physicians	2533	253311	specialist physician (general medicine)
		253312	cardiologist
		253313	clinical haematologist
		253314	medical oncologist
		253315	endocrinologist
		253316	gastroenterologist
		253317	intensive care specialist
		253318	neurologist
		253321	paediatrician
		253322	renal medicine specialist
		253323	rheumatologist
		253324	thoracic medicine specialist
		253399	specialist physicians (nec)
Psychiatrists	2534	253411	psychiatrist
Surgeons	2535	253511	surgeon (general)
		253512	cardiothoracic surgeon
		253513	neurosurgeon
		253514	orthopaedic surgeon
		253515	otorhinolaryngologist
		253516	paediatric surgeon
		253517	plastic and reconstructive surgeon
		253518	urologist
		253521	vascular surgeon
Other Medical Practitioners	2539	253911	dermatologist
		253912	emergency medicine specialist
		253913	obstetrician and gynaecologist
		253914	ophthalmologist
		253915	pathologist
		253917	diagnostic and interventional radiologist
		253918	radiation oncologist
		253999	medical practitioners (nec)
Midwives	2541	254111	midwife
Nurse Educators and Researchers	2542	254211	nurse educator
Nurse Educators and Researchers	2542	254212	nurse researcher
Nurse Managers	2543	254311	nurse manager
Registered Nurses	2544	254411	nurse practitioner
		254412	registered nurse (aged care)
		254413	registered nurse (child and family health)
		254414	registered nurse (community health)
		254415	registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
		254416	registered nurse (developmental disability)
		254417	registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
		254418	registered nurse (medical)
		254421	registered nurse (medical practice)
		254422	registered nurse (mental health)
		254423	registered nurse (perioperative)
		254424	registered nurse (surgical)
		254425	registered nurse (paediatrics)
		254499	registered nurses (nec)
ICT Business and Systems Analysts	2611	261111	ICT business analyst
ICT Business and Systems Analysts	2611	261112	systems analyst
Software and Applications Programmers	2613	261311	analyst programmer
		261312	developer programmer
		261313	software engineer
		261314	software tester
		261399	software and applications programmers (nec)
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists	2621	262111	database administrator
		262112	ICT security specialist
		262113	systems administrator
Computer Network Professionals	2631	263111	computer network and systems engineer
		263112	network administrator
		263113	network analyst
ICT Support and Test Engineers	2632	263211	ICT quality assurance engineer
		263212	ICT support engineer
		263213	ICT systems test engineer
		263299	ICT support and test engineers (nec)
Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	2633	263311	telecommunications engineer
Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	2633	263312	telecommunications network engineer
Solicitors	2713	271311	solicitor
Counsellors	2721	272111	careers counsellor
		272112	drug and alcohol counsellor
		272113	family and marriage counsellor
		272114	rehabilitation counsellor
		272115	student counsellor
		272199	counsellors (nec)
Psychologists	2723	272311	clinical psychologist
		272312	educational psychologist
		272313	organisational psychologist
		272314	psychotherapist
		272399	psychologists (nec)
Social Workers	2725	272511	social worker
Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers	2726	272611	community arts worker (491 Only)
		272612	recreation officer
		272613	welfare worker
Medical Technicians	3112	311211	anaesthetic technician
		311212	cardiac technician
		311213	medical laboratory technician
		311214	operating theatre technician (491 Only)
		311215	pharmacy technician
		311216	pathology collector (491 Only)
		311299	medical technicians (nec)
Science Technicians	3114	311411	chemistry technician
		311412	earth science technician
		311413	life science technician
		311499	science technicians (nec)
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians	3121	312111	architectural draftsperson
		312113	building inspector
		312114	construction estimator (491 Only)
		312116	surveying or spatial science technician (491 Only)
		312199	architectural, building and surveying technicians (nec)
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3122	312211	civil engineering draftsperson
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3122	312212	civil engineering technician
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3123	312311	electrical engineering draftsperson
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3123	312312	electrical engineering technician
Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3125	312511	mechanical engineering draftsperson
Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3125	312512	mechanical engineering technician
Other Building and Engineering Technicians	3129	312911	maintenance planner (491 Only)
		312912	metallurgical or materials technician
		312999	building and engineering technicians (nec) (491 Only)
ICT Support Technicians	3131	313111	hardware technician
		313112	ICT customer support officer
		313113	web administrator
		313199	ICT support technicians (nec)
Telecommunications Technical Specialists	3132	313211	radio communications technician
		313212	telecommunications field engineer
		313213	telecommunications network planner
		313214	telecommunications technical officer or technologist
Automotive Electricians	3211	321111	automotive electrician
Motor Mechanics	3212	321211	motor mechanic (general)
		321212	diesel motor mechanic
		321213	motorcycle mechanic
		321214	small engine mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers	3231	323111	aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics)
		323112	aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical)
		323113	aircraft maintenance engineer
Metal Fitters and Machinists	3232	323211	fitter (general)
		323212	fitter and turner
		323213	fitter-welder
		323214	metal machinist (first class)
		323299	metal fitters and machinists (nec)
Precision Metal Trades Workers	3233	323313	locksmith
Precision Metal Trades Workers	3233	323314	precision instrument maker and repairer
Panelbeaters	3241	324111	panelbeater
Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers	3242	324211	vehicle body builder
Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers	3242	324212	vehicle trimmer
Vehicle Painters	3243	324311	vehicle painter (491 Only)
Bricklayers and Stonemasons	3311	331111	bricklayer
Bricklayers and Stonemasons	3311	331112	stonemason
Carpenters and Joiners	3312	331211	carpenter and joiner
		331212	carpenter
		331213	joiner
Floor Finishers	3321	332111	floor finisher (491 Only)
Painting Trades Workers	3322	332211	painting trades worker
Glaziers	3331	333111	glazier
Plasterers	3332	333211	fibrous plasterer
Plasterers	3332	333212	solid plasterer
Roof Tilers	3333	333311	roof tiler
Wall and Floor Tilers	3334	333411	wall and floor tiler
Plumbers	3341	334111	plumber (general)
		334112	airconditioning and mechanical services plumber
		334113	drainer
		334114	gasfitter
		334115	roof plumber
Electricians	3411	341111	electrician (general)
		341112	electrician (special class)
		341113	lift mechanic
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics	3421	342111	airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic
Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	3422	342211	electrical linesworker (491 Only)
Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	3422	342212	technical cable jointer
Telecommunications Trades Workers	3424	342411	cabler (data and telecommunications)
Telecommunications Trades Workers	3424	342413	telecommunications linesworker
Butchers and Smallgoods Makers	3512	351211	butcher or smallgoods maker
Chefs	3513	351311	chef
Cook	3514	351411	cook
Veterinary Nurses	3613	361311	veterinary nurse
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics	4111	411111	ambulance officer
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics	4111	411112	intensive care ambulance paramedic
Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists	4112	411211	dental hygienist (491 Only)
		411213	dental technician
		411214	dental therapist (491 Only)
Diversional Therapist	4113	411311	diversional therapist
Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses	4114	411411	enrolled nurse
Welfare Support Workers	4117	411711	community worker
		411712	disabilities services officer
		411713	family support worker
		411715	residential care officer
		411716	youth worker
Contract, Program and Project Administrators	5111	511111	contract administrator
Contract, Program and Project Administrators	5111	511112	program or project administrator

This list is regularly updated to align with ACT’s dynamic labour market. For a complete, detailed breakdown of all occupations, visit the official 491 visa page here.

How to Use the ACT Occupation List Effectively

Identify your ANZSCO code – Match your profession with the corresponding occupation title and code on the ACT list.
Check eligibility – Review criteria for your chosen visa subclass (491 or 190).
Submit your Canberra Matrix – Highlight your nominated occupation and other eligibility factors.
Receive an invitation – If selected, apply for ACT nomination within the set timeframe.
Apply for your visa – Proceed with the visa application through the Department of Home Affairs.

This strategic approach ensures that your profile aligns perfectly with both federal and ACT nomination requirements.

Why the ACT is an Attractive Destination for Skilled Migrants

Canberra offers an exceptional balance of career opportunity, lifestyle, and community.
Migrants benefit from:

High demand in professional sectors like ICT, education, healthcare, and engineering
Lower competition compared to larger states
Family-friendly environment with world-class education and infrastructure
A clear pathway from temporary (491) to permanent (190) residency

Additionally, Australia’s updated visa policies have made it even easier for students and skilled professionals to transition to permanent residency — learn more in this guide: Student visa just got easier: Australia eases immigration rules.

The ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List is more than a list — it’s a strategic roadmap for skilled professionals who want to contribute to Canberra’s thriving economy.
By understanding the eligibility requirements, visa options, and annual updates, you can make informed decisions that bring you closer to your Australian dream.

Ready to take the next step? Visit A2Zimmi or schedule a consultation here to get expert advice tailored to your visa goals.

Don’t wait — your opportunity to live, work, and settle in Australia starts today!