The announcement came nearly a month after the Occupation List was updated.
According to the authorities, the program targets for ACT nomination of Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa for the 2015/16 financial year have already been met. This has been cited as the reason for the closure of nomination program.
The authorities also announced that applications for ACT nomination from overseas residents will not be accepted after 18 March 2016 at 4:00pm AEST. However, the program will reopen in July 2016.
This means if you are living overseas, you will not be able to apply for ACT nomination of Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa until the program reopens in July 2016.
However, applications for ACT nomination already submitted before 4:00pm of 18 March 2016 will be processed in queue order.
Canberra Residents not affected
This action does not affect Canberra-based applicants. If you are living in Canberra and working in a skilled occupation, the program is still open for you.
You can still apply for ACT nomination of the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa if you meet the current nomination criteria for Canberra residents.
Who is still eligible for the Skilled - Nominated (Subclass 190) visa?
The Skilled - Nominated (190) visa is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory.
You can still apply for ACT nomination if you are: (1) living overseas; or (2) living in Canberra, subject to additional criteria as outlined below.
- Canberra residents must be employed by an ACT employer in a skilled occupation and demonstrate you have lived in Canberra for three months prior to applying for ACT nomination.
- International graduates from an institution located in another Australian state or territory must be employed fulltime by an ACT employer in your nominated occupation for at least six months.
- You will not meet the ACT’s eligibility criteria for nomination if you are currently living in another Australian state or territory.
- Please note overseas applicants who have lived or studied in another Australian state or territory within the last year may not meet the ACT’s eligibility criteria.
More information regarding this can be found from ACT website.
