Points Test

Points criteria are assessed at the time of invitation. For more information please visit Department of Home Affairs.

Point table for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189/190/491)

Age

Age Points
At least 18 but less than 24 years 25
At least 25 but less than 32 years 30
At least 33 but less than 40 years 25
At least 41 but less than 45 years 15

English language skills

English Points
Competent English (IELTS At least 6 for each of the 4 components) PTE At least 50 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 0
Proficient English (IELTS At least 7 for each of the 4 components) PTE At least 65 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 10
Superior English (IELTS At least 8 for each of the 4 components) (PTE At least 79 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 20

Skilled employment experience

One can only claim points in this category if the employment was paid work in one’s nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation for 20 hours each week claimed; and one was employed for the specified period set out in the table, within the 10 years before you are invited to apply. The maximum number of points awarded in this category are capped at 20 including Overseas and Australian experience.

Overseas skilled employment
(outside Australia)

Number of years Points
Less than 1 year 0
At least 1 but less than 3 years 5
At least 3 but less than 5 years 10
At least 5 but less than 8 years 15
At least 8 years 20

Australian skilled employment
(in Australia)

Number of years Points
Less than 3 years 0
At least 3 but less than 5 years 5
At least 5 but less than 8 years 10
At least 8 years 15

Educatonal Qualifications

For points-based migration you will receive points for your highest qualification only, however, it should be equivalent to Australian Qualification Framework level.
Requirement Points
A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate (PHD only) from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 20
At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 15
A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. 10
Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation 10

Specialist education qualification

Requirement Points
A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years to in a relevant field (STEM). 10

Australian study requirement

Two academic years of study equals 92 weeks that contribute towards 1 or more acceptable qualification undertaken and completed at the visa that allows you to study.
Requirement Points
Meet the Australian study requirement 5

Professional year in Australia

Requirement Points
Meet the Australian study requirement 5

Credentialled community language

Requirement Points
Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language 5

Study in regional Australia

Requirement Points
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia 5

Partner skills

You can only claim points in one of the below mentioned criteria.
Requirement Points
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and Skills criteria 10
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English 5
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age and skill criteria 5

Nomination or Sponsorship

Requirement Points
You were invited to apply for a Subclass 190 (Skilled — Nominated) visa and the nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn the nomination 5
You were invited to apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) because you were nominated, and the nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn that nomination or You are being sponsored for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) by a family member and the Minister has accepted that sponsorship 15
You must be nominated to be invited to apply for these visas. Provided your nomination
remains in effect, you may be eligible for the award of these points.

POINTS TEST

Points criteria are assessed at the time of invitation. For more information please visit Department of Home Affairs.

Point table for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189/190/491)

English language skills

English Points
Competent English (IELTS At least 6 for each of the 4 components) PTE At least 50 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 0
Proficient English (IELTS At least 7 for each of the 4 components) PTE At least 65 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 10
Superior English (IELTS At least 8 for each of the 4 components) (PTE At least 79 for each of the 4 components) or equivalent 20

Age

Age Points
At least 18 but less than 25 years 25
At least 25 but less than 33 years 30
At least 33 but less than 40 years 25
At least 40 but less than 45 years 15

Skilled employment experience

One can only claim points in this category if the employment was paid work in one’s nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation for 20 hours each week claimed; and one was employed for the specified period set out in the table, within the 10 years before you are invited to apply. The maximum number of points awarded in this category are capped at 20 including Overseas and Australian experience

Overseas skilled employment
(outside Australia)

Number of years Points
Less than 3 years 0
At least 3 but less than 5 years 5
At least 5 but less than 8 years 10
At least 8 years 15

Australian skilled employment
(in Australia)

Number of years Points
Less than 1 year 0
At least 1 but less than 3 years 5
At least 3 but less than 5 years 10
At least 5 but less than 8 years 15
At least 8 years 20

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

For points-based migration you will receive points for your highest qualification only, however, it should be equivalent to Australian Qualification Framework level.
Requirement Points
A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate (PHD only) from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 20
At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or at least a Bachelor qualification, from another educational institution, that is of a recognised standard. 15
A diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution. 10
Attained a qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation as being suitable for that occupation 10

Specialist education qualification

For points-based migration you will receive points for your highest qualification only, however, it should be equivalent to Australian Qualification Framework level.
Requirement Points
A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years to in a relevant field (STEM). 5

Australian study requirement

Two academic years of study equals 92 weeks that contribute towards 1 or more acceptable qualification undertaken and completed at the visa that allows you to study.
Requirement Points
Meet the Australian study requirement 5

Professional year in Australia

Requirement Points
Completion of a Professional Year in Australia (IT/Accounting/Engineering) 5

Credentialled community language

Requirement Points
Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language 5

Study in regional Australia

Requirement Points
You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia 5

Partner skills

You can only claim points in one of the below mentioned criteria.
Requirement Points
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and Skills criteria 10
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English 5
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age and skill criteria 5

Nomination or Sponsorship

You can only claim points in one of the below mentioned criteria.
Requirement Points
You were invited to apply for a Subclass 190 (Skilled — Nominated) visa and the nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn the nomination 5
You were invited to apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) because you were nominated, and the nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn that nomination or You are being sponsored for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) by a family member and the Minister has accepted that sponsorship 15
You must be nominated to be invited to apply for these visas. Provided your nomination
remains in effect, you may be eligible for the award of these points.