How the Australia points test works
Australia's skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190 and 491) use a single points test set by migration law. You need at least 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, but invitations in competitive rounds go to much higher scores. The same test applies to all three subclasses; the 190 adds 5 nomination points and the 491 adds 15.
The points table
- Age: 25-32 earns the maximum 30 points; 18-24 and 33-39 earn 25; 40-44 earn 15. You must be under 45 at invitation.
- English: competent (IELTS 6 in each band) 0, proficient (IELTS 7 each) 10, superior (IELTS 8 each) 20. PTE, TOEFL and other tests have their own minimums.
- Skilled employment: overseas 3-4 years 5, 5-7 years 10, 8-10 years 15; in Australia 1-2 years 5, 3-4 years 10, 5-7 years 15, 8-10 years 20. Combined cap: 20. Work must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, in the last 10 years.
- Qualifications: doctorate 20, bachelor or higher 15, diploma/trade or recognised qualification 10. Only the highest counts.
- Other factors (5 or 10 each): Australian study requirement 5, Professional Year 5, credentialled community language 5, regional study 5, specialist STEM research degree 10.
- Partner: 10 if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen/PR; 10 if your partner has a skills assessment, competent English and is under 45; 5 if your partner has competent English only.
- Nomination: 5 for subclass 190 state nomination, 15 for subclass 491 regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
189 vs 190 vs 491
- 189 Skilled Independent: no nomination needed, permanent residence immediately, but the most competitive (recent rounds favour 85+).
- 190 Skilled Nominated: needs state nomination (+5 points), PR immediately, recent rounds favour 75-90.
- 491 Skilled Work Regional: needs regional nomination (+15), provisional visa with a pathway to PR (subclass 191) after 3 years living regionally, recent rounds favour 65-85.
How to increase your score
- Retake your English test. Moving from proficient to superior English is worth 10 points, often the cheapest gain available.
- Claim partner points. A partner with competent English alone adds 5; with a skills assessment it is 10.
- Get a NAATI credential. A credentialled community language test pass adds 5 points.
- Consider the 491. The 15 regional points plus lower competition make it the most accessible route for scores in the 65-80 range.
Worked example
A 28-year-old single software engineer with superior English (IELTS 8), 5 years of overseas skilled work and a bachelor's degree scores: age 30, English 20, employment 10, qualification 15, partner 10, total 85. That is competitive for the 189; adding a 190 nomination takes it to 90.
Limitations
This calculator is an estimate for planning only. Points claims must be evidenced if you are invited, occupation lists and state requirements change, and only the Department of Home Affairs points tables are authoritative. Verify current rules on homeaffairs.gov.au.