Just when many believed that the ACT State Nomination Program would remain relatively stable this financial year, an internal government email quietly announced a dramatic overhaul — with the latest occupation list seeing a sharp reduction and numerous popular skilled occupations being removed. For applicants preparing or planning to migrate through the ACT nomination pathway, this update is nothing short of a heavy blow.

Below, we break down the core changes, policy intent, affected groups, and practical strategies to help you understand what this major adjustment means for future applicants.

1. Core Changes: A Major Overhaul of the Occupation List

1.1 Number of occupations cut from 152 → 105 (four-digit ANZSCO codes)

According to internal data compiled by EBP (based on topselect industry sources), the ACT nomination occupation list has been reduced from 152 to just 105 occupations, meaning roughly one-third of all occupations were removed.Occupations removed include, but are not limited to:

• 225113 Marketing Specialist
• 242111 University Lecturer
• 224111 Actuary
• 224311 Economist
• 233111 Chemical Engineer
• 233112 Materials Engineer
• In addition, roles related to advertising, marketing, policy, creative fields, and translation/interpreting have also been axed.

In other words, professionals across management, marketing, education, finance, creative industries, and engineering may now find themselves excluded from eligibility.

2. 1.2 Transitional arrangement for existing applications

Authorities have confirmed that applications submitted in the September 2025 Invitation Round will not be disqualified due to this change. However, all new applications submitted from the next round onward must comply with the updated occupation list.

3. 1.3 Priority and special categories adjusted

• Although the regular PhD-only invitation rounds have been discontinued, PhD applicants will retain priority processing status.
• For holders of Subclass 457 / 482 visas (temporary employer-sponsored), the new rules now formally require at least 6 months of continuous employment with the sponsoring employer before applying for ACT nomination — a rule that was previously enforced but not explicitly written.
• The 491-over-190 priority order has also been formally included in the new nomination guidelines to prevent ambiguity.

4. 1.4 Quotas and invitation frequency remain uncertain

• ACT’s provisional quota for the 2025–26 program year is 165 places (across 190 and 491).
• In the September 2025 round alone, 559 invitations were issued (across various streams) — far exceeding the provisional quota and sparking widespread industry debate.
• Despite the large number of invitations, actual nomination approvals are contingent on final quota confirmation.

2. Policy Intent: Why So Many Occupations Were Cut

At first glance, this change may appear harsh — but from a policy perspective, it reflects strategic considerations by the ACT Government:

1. Focusing on genuinely critical skills aligned with ACT’s economy Canberra’s economy is smaller and highly concentrated in public administration, education, research, and public services. Hence, ACT is eliminating occupations that, while popular nationally, have limited local demand or are already saturated.
2. Reducing “list-driven” applications and improving resource efficiency Previously, many applicants selected occupations based on immigration eligibility rather than real employability. The shortened list helps eliminate these marginal cases, improving the precision of nomination allocations.
3. Managing quotas and population pressures Given its small population and limited resources, ACT cannot accommodate a surge of new migrants. By restricting the occupation scope, authorities can better control total nomination numbers and migration inflow.
4. Testing ground for nationwide tightening In light of Australia’s broader migration policy contraction, ACT’s move may serve as an early signal or “stress test” for more stringent national measures to come.

3. Affected Groups and Potential Risks

Affected Groups and Potential Risks

In essence, this adjustment is not a “minor tweak” — it could fundamentally reshape many applicants’ migration blueprints.

4. Strategies and Practical Recommendations

For those affected or concerned about future eligibility, consider these actionable steps:

1. Check whether your occupation remains on the new list If not, reassess and identify viable alternatives before submitting new EOIs or Canberra Matrix applications.
2. 准备备选方案：其他州 / 地区 /移民路径
   • 尝试申请 NSW / SA / WA 等州担保（这些州目前尚未明确跟进大规模调整）
   • 考虑联邦独立移民（如 Subclass 189 或其他合适类别）
   • 若职业调整幅度过大，也可考虑转“本地紧缺职业”（如工程、健康、建造、IT 等）以保持竞争力
3. 强化竞争力 / 提高分数
   即便职业在清单中，竞争也将更激烈。建议：
   • 提升英语成绩
   • 增加与职业相关的工作经验
   • 获取其他加分项，如配偶加分、州担保加分等
   • 若可能，攻读或积累 PhD /高端研究经历（因其仍有优先待遇）
4. Monitor official updates closely Since this round was disclosed via internal communications, further silent changes are possible. Check ACT Migration’s official announcements regularly.
5. Seek professional advice During periods of rapid change, professional migration agents or lawyers can help you navigate complex policy shifts and timing strategies.

5. A Shake-Up — and a Reset

This adjustment signals that the ACT nomination system has entered a new era. Gone are the days when simply “choosing a listed occupation + meeting basic criteria = guaranteed nomination.” The future will demand greater flexibility, strategy, and alignment with real local needs.Yet change also brings opportunity — those who adapt swiftly, reposition toward high-demand occupations, and strengthen their profiles can still succeed. The pathway remains open, but it now requires greater precision, timing, and resilience.