The ACT Government and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce have released important updates relating to skilled migration nominations and the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) Information Session and Temporary Processing Pause.
ACT Skilled Migration Invitation Round
The ACT Government has released the results of its latest skilled migration nomination invitation round, held on 11 June 2026. During this round, invitations were issued to eligible applicants seeking ACT nomination for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas.
The invitation outcomes were as follows:
| Matrix nominating Categories | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
| Doctorate Streamlined Pathway | 8 | 5 |
| Canberra Residents – Small Business Owners | 3 (minimum matrix score is 110) | 0 (minimum matrix score is 0) |
| Canberra Residents – Critical Skill Occupations | 66 | 0 |
| Overseas Applicants – Critical Skill Occupations | 0 | 0 |
| Total Invitations Issued | 77 | 5 |
The ACT Government also confirmed that, as of 12 June 2026, only 82 nomination places remained for the 2025–26 allocation year, including 74 (Subclass 190) nominations and 8 (Subclass 491) nominations.
Click here: Canberra Matrix – Invitation Round
FNQ DAMA – Information Session & Temporary Processing Pause
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce Migration Manager Geoff Heath invites Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers to a free online information session on the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) on 5 August 2026.
The FNQ DAMA is a skilled migration program tailored to meet the unique workforce needs of Far North Queensland, offering a greater range of occupations and various concessions for employers and employees. The session will cover a general overview of the FNQ DAMA, program updates, and an open Q&A regarding any FNQ DAMA related issues.
The session will be held via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 5 August 2026 from 11:30am to 12:30pm AEST. Registration is free and a Teams link will be sent upon registration.
Click here: FNQ DAMA Information Session for Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers
Temporary Processing Reduction
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has also advised that processing of FNQ DAMA decisions will be temporarily reduced during the week of 6–10 July 2026. Agents and employers may continue to submit endorsement requests and direct enquiries via email during this time. Full operations are expected to resume from Monday 13 July 2026.
