ACT Canberra Matrix Update
Ahead of the first invitation round of the 2026β27 financial year, ACT Migration will launch a new online portal for Canberra Matrix submissions and ACT nomination applications.
The portal is currently scheduled to go live in the week starting 27 July 2026. To support the transition, the existing portal will be unavailable from the week commencing 13 July 2026.
The new portal is designed to modernise the application process and improve the experience for both applicants and migration agents. Further information, including instructions for creating accounts and accessing existing applications, will be published closer to the launch date.
Canberra Matrix submissions can continue to be lodged through the existing portal until 12 July 2026. After that, new Canberra Matrix submissions can be lodged using the new portal when it is launched.
Benefits of the new portal
The updated portal includes several improvements for applicants and migration agents: - Enhanced security through multi-factor authentication. - Ability to edit and withdraw Canberra Matrix submissions as circumstances change. - Live application status updates. - Improved usability, including better mobile device accessibility. - Stronger program integrity measures to reduce the impact of non-genuine expressions of interest on invitation rounds. These changes aim to make the application process simpler, more transparent and more secure.
Important program changes
The introduction of the new portal requires several updates to current program settings. The ACT Nomination Guidelines will be updated ahead of launch to reflect these changes.
Updated fee structure
From the 2026-27 financial year, the total cost of ACT nomination will be $350 (exclusive of GST), consisting of: - $25 (exclusive of GST) for a Canberra Matrix submission. - $325 (exclusive of GST) for an ACT nomination application. The total fee may be higher depending on the number of Canberra Matrix submissions you lodge.
Canberra Matrix validity
Canberra Matrix submissions will continue to be valid for six months. Applicants can extend validity to a maximum of 12 months by updating their Canberra Matrix before it expires.
There is no fee to edit a Canberra Matrix. However, any edit will be treated as a new submission for assessment and ranking purposes.
Before making an edit, applicants must be able to demonstrate that all claims continue to meet the ACT Nomination Guidelines at the date the Canberra Matrix is updated, even if your point claims do not change.
Where ranking is required between applicants with the same score, Canberra Matrix submissions will be ranked based on the date last updated, rather than the date originally submitted.
Existing Canberra Matrix submissions
All existing Canberra Matrix submissions will be automatically transferred to the new portal. Applicants and migration agents will not need to submit a new Canberra Matrix. To access transferred submissions, users must create a new account using the same email address that was used for the original Canberra Matrix submission.
Please note: - Existing submissions may take up to one week after the portal launch to appear in the new system. - Existing Canberra Matrix submissions transferred from the old portal cannot be edited in the new portal. - Existing submissions will remain valid and may be withdrawn if required.
Next steps
Additional information will be published on the ACT Migration website as it becomes available. Approximately one week before launch, ACT Migration will email recent applicants and migration agents with further information, including step-by-step instructions for accessing and using the new portal.
For the latest updates, please continue to monitor the ACT Migration website. Updated 07 July 2026.