What is the ACT Critical Skills List?
The ACT Critical Skills List serves as a dynamic and strategic tool that outlines the occupations in high demand within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Designed to cater to the evolving needs of the regional economy, this list plays a pivotal role for individuals aspiring to secure an ACT nomination for certain skilled visa subclasses, namely the:
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
By aligning your occupation with those listed on the ACT Critical Skills List, you not only increase your eligibility for ACT nomination but also enhance your prospects of receiving additional points within the Canberra Matrix system. This scoring mechanism evaluates candidates based on factors like work experience, language proficiency, and education. Being associated with a critical occupation can boost your points and potentially expedite your visa application process.
Maximum Number of Jobs
However, it’s essential to be mindful of the quotas established for each occupation on the ACT Critical Skills List. To manage the balance between demand and supply, the ACT government may impose monthly caps on the number of nominations available for specific professions. This means that if the cap for your nominated occupation has been met for a particular month, you might have to wait until the next month to submit your application. This emphasizes the significance of staying informed about the availability of nomination slots and planning your application timing accordingly.
ACT's Current List of critical skills
The ACT recognizes the fluid nature of skill requirements in a dynamic economy. As such, the Critical Skills List undergoes periodic updates to reflect the changing landscape of the ACT job market. The most recent update occurred on April 18, 2023, and this revised list applies to all Canberra Matrix submissions, irrespective of when they were lodged. This commitment to regular updates ensures that the ACT Migration Program remains responsive to the evolving needs of the territory, aligning with the start of each new fiscal year.
| ANZSCO Unit Group | ANZSCO | Nominated Occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Sales Managers | 131112 | sales and marketing manager |
| 131113 | advertising manager | |
| 131114 | public relations manager (491 only) | |
| Corporate Services Managers | 132111 | corporate services manager |
| Finance Managers | 132211 | finance manager |
| Human Resource Managers | 132311 | human resource manager |
| Policy and Planning Managers | 132411 | policy and planning manager (491 only) |
| Construction Managers | 133111 | construction project manager |
| 133112 | project builder (491 only) | |
| Research and Development Managers | 132511 | research and development manager |
| Engineering Managers | 133211 | engineering manager |
| Production Managers | 133512 | production manager (manufacturing) |
| Supply, Distribution and Procurement Managers | 133611 | supply and distribution manager |
| 133612 | procurement manager (491 only) | |
| Child Care Centre Managers | 134111 | child care centre manager |
| Health and Welfare Services Managers | 134211 | medical administrator (491 only) |
| 134212 | nursing clinical director | |
| 134213 | primary health organisation manager | |
| 134214 | welfare centre manager | |
| 134299 | health and welfare services managers (nec) | |
| School Principals | 134311 | school principal |
| Other Education Managers | 134412 | regional education manager (491 only) |
| 134499 | education managers (nec) | |
| ICT Managers | 135112 | ICT project manager |
| 135199 | ICT managers (nec) | |
| Other Specialist Managers | 139911 | arts administrator or manager |
| 139912 | environmental manager | |
| 139913 | laboratory manager | |
| 139914 | quality assurance manager | |
| 139915 | sports administrator (491 only) | |
| 139999 | specialist managers (nec) except: | |
| Cafe and Restaurant Managers | 141111 | cafe or restaurant manager |
| Hotel and Motel Managers | 141311 | hotel or motel manager |
| Other Accommodation and Hospitality Managers | 141999 | accommodation and hospitality managers (nec) |
| Call or Contact Centre and Customer Service Managers | 149214 | customer service manager |
| Conference and Event Organisers | 149311 | conference and event organizer |
| Other Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers | 149912 | cinema or theatre manager (491 only) |
| 149913 | facilities manager | |
| 149914 | financial institution branch manager (491 only) | |
| Journalists and Other Writers | 212411 | copywriter |
| 212412 | newspaper or periodical editor | |
| 212413 | print journalist | |
| 212415 | technical writer | |
| 212416 | television journalist | |
| 212499 | journalists and other writers (nec) | |
| Accountants | 221111 | accountant (general) |
| 221112 | management accountant | |
| 221113 | taxation accountant | |
| Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers | 221211 | company secretary |
| 221213 | external auditor | |
| 221214 | internal auditor | |
| Financial Investment Advisers and Managers | 222311 | financial investment adviser |
| 222312 | financial investment manager | |
| Human Resource Professionals | 223111 | human resource adviser (491 only) |
| 223112 | recruitment consultant | |
| 223113 | workplace relations adviser (491 only) | |
| ICT Trainers | 223211 | ICT trainer |
| Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians | 224111 | actuary |
| 224112 | mathematician | |
| 224113 | statistician | |
| Archivists, Curators and Records Managers | 224213 | health information manager |
| Economists | 224311 | economist |
| Intelligence and Policy Analysts | 224412 | policy analyst (491 only) |
| Librarians | 224611 | librarian |
| Management and Organisation Analysts | 224711 | management consultant |
| 224712 | organization and methods analyst | |
| Other Information and Organisation Professionals | 224912 | liaison officer (491 only) |
| 224914 | patents examiner | |
| 224999 | information and organization professionals (nec) | |
| Advertising and Marketing Professionals | 225111 | advertising specialist |
| 225112 | market research analyst (491 only) | |
| 225113 | marketing specialist | |
| ICT Sales Professionals | 225211 | ICT account manager |
| 225212 | ICT business development manager | |
| 225213 | ICT sales representative | |
| Public Relations Professionals | 225311 | public relations professional |
| Architects and Landscape Architects | 232111 | architect |
| 232112 | landscape architect | |
| Surveyors and Spatial Scientists | 232212 | surveyor |
| 232213 | cartographer | |
| 232214 | other spatial scientist | |
| Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | 232411 | graphic designer |
| 232412 | illustrator | |
| 232413 | multimedia designer (491 only) | |
| 232414 | web designer | |
| Urban and Regional Planners | 232611 | urban and regional planner |
| Chemical and Materials Engineers | 233111 | chemical engineer |
| 233112 | materials engineer | |
| Civil Engineering Professionals | 233211 | civil engineer |
| 233212 | geotechnical engineer | |
| 233213 | quantity surveyor | |
| 233214 | structural engineer | |
| 233215 | transport engineer | |
| Electrical Engineers | 233311 | electrical engineer |
| Electronics Engineers | 233411 | electronics engineer |
| Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers | 233511 | industrial engineer |
| 233512 | mechanical engineer | |
| 233513 | production or plant engineer | |
| Other Engineering Professionals | 233911 | aeronautical engineer |
| 233912 | agricultural engineer | |
| 233913 | biomedical engineer | |
| 233914 | engineering technologist | |
| 233915 | environmental engineer | |
| 233916 | naval architect | |
| 233999 | engineering professionals (nec) | |
| Environmental Scientists | 234311 | conservation officer (491 only) |
| 234312 | environmental consultant | |
| 234313 | environmental research scientist | |
| 234399 | environmental scientist (nec) | |
| Life Scientists | 234511 | life scientist (general) |
| 234513 | biochemist | |
| 234514 | biotechnologist | |
| 234515 | botanist | |
| 234516 | marine biologist | |
| 234517 | microbiologist | |
| 234518 | zoologist | |
| 234599 | life scientists (nec) | |
| Medical Laboratory Scientists | 234611 | medical laboratory scientist |
| Veterinarians | 234711 | veterinarian |
| Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | 234911 | conservator |
| 234912 | metallurgist | |
| 234913 | meteorologist | |
| 234914 | physicist | |
| 234915 | exercise physiologist (491 only) | |
| 234999 | natural and physical science professionals (nec) | |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 241111 | early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher |
| Primary School Teachers | 241213 | primary school teacher |
| Middle School Teachers Intermediate School Teachers | 241311 | middle school teacher (Aus) / intermediate school teacher (NZ) |
| Secondary School Teachers | 241411 | secondary school teacher |
| Special Education Teachers | 241511 | special needs teacher |
| 241512 | teacher of the hearing impaired | |
| 241513 | teacher of the sight impaired | |
| 241599 | special education teachers (nec) | |
| University Lecturers and Tutors | 242111 | university lecturer |
| Vocational Education Teachers Polytechnic Teachers | 242211 | vocational education teacher (491 only) |
| Education Advisers and Reviewers | 249111 | education adviser |
| Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages | 249311 | teacher of English to speakers of |
| Nutrition Professionals | 251111 | dietitian |
| 251112 | nutritionist | |
| Medical Imaging Professionals | 251211 | medical diagnostic radiographer |
| 251212 | medical radiation therapist | |
| 251213 | nuclear medicine technologist | |
| 251214 | sonographer | |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals | 251311 | environmental health officer (491 only) |
| 251312 | occupational health and safety adviser | |
| Optometrists and Orthoptists | 251411 | optometrist |
| 251412 | orthoptist | |
| Pharmacists | 251511 | hospital pharmacist |
| 251512 | industrial pharmacist | |
| 251513 | retail pharmacist | |
| Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals | 251911 | health promotion officer |
| 251912 | orthotist or prosthetist | |
| 251999 | health diagnostic and promotion professionals (nec) | |
| Chiropractors and Osteopaths | 252111 | chiropractor |
| 252112 | osteopath | |
| Complementary Health Therapists | 252211 | acupuncturist |
| 252213 | naturopath | |
| 252214 | traditional Chinese medicine practitioner | |
| 252299 | complementary health therapists (nec) | |
| Dental Practitioners | 252311 | dental specialist |
| 252312 | dentist (491 only) | |
| Occupational Therapists | 252411 | occupational therapist |
| Physiotherapists | 252511 | physiotherapist |
| Podiatrists | 252611 | podiatrist |
| Audiologists and Speech Pathologists Therapists | 252711 | audiologist |
| 252712 | speech pathologist | |
| General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers | 253111 | general practitioner |
| 253112 | resident medical officer | |
| Anaesthetists | 253211 | anaesthetist (491 only) |
| Specialist Physicians | 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) | |
| Surgeons | 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 | |
| Psychiatrists | 253411 | psychiatrist |
| Other Medical Practitioners | 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 | 254111 | midwife |
| Nurse Educators and Researchers | 254211 | nurse educator |
| 254212 | nurse researcher | |
| Nurse Managers | 254311 | nurse manager |
| Registered Nurses | 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 | 261111 | ICT business analyst |
| 261112 | systems analyst | |
| Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | 261211 | multimedia specialist |
| 261212 | web developer | |
| Software and Applications Programmers | 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 | 262111 | database administrator |
| 262112 | ICT security specialist | |
| 262113 | systems administrator | |
| Computer Network Professionals | 263111 | computer network and systems engineer |
| 263112 | network administrator | |
| 263113 | network analyst | |
| ICT Support and Test Engineers | 263211 | ICT quality assurance engineer |
| 263212 | ICT support engineer | |
| 263213 | ICT systems test engineer | |
| 263299 | ICT support and test engineers (nec) | |
| Telecommunications Engineering Professionals | 263311 | telecommunications engineer |
| 263312 | telecommunications network engineer | |
| Solicitors | 271311 | solicitor |
| Counsellors | 272111 | careers counsellor |
| 272112 | drug and alcohol counsellor | |
| 272113 | family and marriage counsellor | |
| 272114 | rehabilitation counsellor | |
| 272115 | student counsellor | |
| 272199 | counsellors (nec) | |
| Psychologists | 272311 | clinical psychologist |
| 272312 | educational psychologist | |
| 272313 | organisational psychologist | |
| 272314 | psychotherapist | |
| 272399 | psychologists (nec) | |
| Social Professionals | 272412 | interpreter |
| 272413 | translator (491 only) | |
| 272499 | social professionals (nec) | |
| Social Workers | 272511 | social worker |
| Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers | 272611 | community arts worker (491 only) |
| 272612 | recreation officer | |
| 272613 | welfare worker | |
| Medical Technicians | 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 | 311411 | chemistry technician |
| 311412 | earth science technician | |
| 311413 | life science technician | |
| 311499 | science technicians (nec) | |
| Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians | 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 | 312211 | civil engineering draftsperson |
| 312212 | civil engineering technician | |
| Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians | 312311 | electrical engineering draftsperson |
| 312312 | electrical engineering technician | |
| Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians | 312511 | mechanical engineering draftsperson (491 only) |
| 312512 | mechanical engineering technician | |
| Other Building and Engineering Technicians | 312911 | maintenance planner (491 only) |
| 312912 | metallurgical or materials technician | |
| 312999 | building and engineering technicians (nec) (491 only) | |
| ICT Support Technicians | 313111 | hardware technician |
| 313112 | ICT customer support officer | |
| 313113 | web administrator | |
| 313199 | ICT support technicians (nec) | |
| Automotive Electricians | 321111 | automotive electrician |
| Motor Mechanics | 321211 | motor mechanic (general) |
| 321212 | diesel motor mechanic | |
| 321213 | motorcycle mechanic | |
| 321214 | small engine mechanic | |
| Sheetmetal Trades Workers | 322211 | sheetmetal trades worker |
| Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers | 322311 | metal fabricator |
| 322312 | pressure welder | |
| 322313 | welder (first class) | |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineers | 323111 | aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics) |
| 323112 | aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical) | |
| 323113 | aircraft maintenance engineer | |
| Metal Fitters and Machinists | 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 | 323313 | locksmith |
| 323314 | precision instrument maker and repairer | |
| Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers | 323412 | toolmaker |
| Panelbeaters | 324111 | panelbeater |
| Vehicle Body Builders and Trimmers | 324211 | vehicle body builder |
| 324212 | vehicle trimmer | |
| Vehicle Painters | 324311 | vehicle painter (491 only) |
| Bricklayers and Stonemasons | 331111 | bricklayer |
| 331112 | stonemason | |
| Carpenters and Joiners | 331211 | carpenter and joiner |
| 331212 | carpenter | |
| 331213 | joiner | |
| Floor Finishers | 332111 | floor finisher (491 only) |
| Painting Trades Workers | 332211 | painting trades worker |
| Glaziers | 333111 | glazier |
| Plasterers | 333211 | fibrous plasterer |
| 333212 | solid plasterer | |
| Roof Tilers | 333311 | roof tiler |
| Wall and Floor Tilers | 333411 | wall and floor tiler |
| Plumbers | 334111 | plumber (general) |
| 334112 | airconditioning and mechanical services plumber | |
| 334113 | drainer | |
| 334114 | gasfitter | |
| 334115 | roof plumber | |
| Electricians | 341111 | electrician (general) |
| 341112 | electrician (special class) | |
| 341113 | lift mechanic | |
| Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics | 342111 | airconditioning and refrigeration mechanic |
| Electrical Distribution Trades Workers | 342211 | electrical linesworker (491 only) |
| 342212 | technical cable jointer | |
| Electronics Trades Workers | 342311 | business machine mechanic |
| 342313 | electronic equipment trades worker | |
| 342314 | electronic instrument trades worker (general) | |
| 342315 | electronic instrument trades worker (special class) | |
| Bakers and Pastrycooks | 351111 | baker |
| 351112 | pastrycook | |
| Chefs | 351311 | chef |
| Cooks | 351411 | cook |
| Animal Attendants and Trainers | 361111 | dog handler or trainer |
| 361112 | horse trainer | |
| 361114 | zookeeper (491 only) | |
| 361199 | animal attendants and trainers (nec) | |
| Veterinary Nurses | 361311 | veterinary nurse |
| Gardeners | 362211 | gardener (general) |
| 362212 | arborist | |
| 362213 | landscape gardener | |
| Hairdressers | 391111 | hairdresser |
| Upholsterers | 393311 | upholsterer |
| Cabinetmakers | 394111 | cabinetmaker |
| Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | 411111 | ambulance officer |
| 411112 | intensive care ambulance paramedic | |
| Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists | 411211 | dental hygienist (491 only) |
| 411213 | dental technician | |
| 411214 | dental therapist (491 only) | |
| Diversional Therapists | 411311 | diversional therapist |
| Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses | 411411 | enrolled nurse |
| Massage Therapists | 411611 | massage therapist |
| Welfare Support Workers | 411711 | community worker |
| 411712 | disabilities services officer | |
| 411713 | family support worker | |
| 411715 | residential care officer | |
| 411716 | youth worker | |
| Fire and Emergency Workers | 441211 | emergency service worker (491 only) |
| Other Personal Service Workers | 451815 | first aid trainer (491 only) |
| Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | 452312 | gymnastics coach or instructor |
| 452313 | horse riding coach or instructor | |
| 452314 | snowsport instructor | |
| 452315 | swimming coach or instructor | |
| 452316 | tennis coach | |
| 452317 | other sports coach or instructor | |
| 452321 | sports development officer | |
| Contract, Program and Project Administrators | 511111 | contract administrator |
| 511112 | program or project administrator | |
| Other Miscellaneous Clerical and Administrative Workers | 599915 | clinical coder (491 only) |
| Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors | 599612 | insurance loss adjuster |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 612112 | property manager (491 only) |
| 612115 | real estate representative (491 only) |
