What is the Points Test?
Australia's skilled migration program uses a points-based system to assess applicants for certain visas, including the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).
How Points Are Calculated
Age (Maximum 30 points)
18–24 years: 25 points 25–32 years: 30 points 33–39 years: 25 points 40–44 years: 15 points English Language Ability (Maximum 20 points)
Competent English (IELTS 6.0): 0 points (minimum requirement) Proficient English (IELTS 7.0): 10 points Superior English (IELTS 8.0): 20 points Skilled Employment Experience (Maximum 15-20 points)
Australian Skilled Employment: Points are awarded for skilled employment in your nominated occupation, ranging from 5 points for 1–2 years to 20 points for 8+ years Australian experience. Overseas Skilled Employment: Points are awarded for skilled employment in your nominated occupation, ranging from 5 points for 3 years to 15 points for 8+ years overseas experience. Educational Qualifications (Maximum 20 points)
Doctorate from an Australian institution: 20 points Bachelor degree or higher from an Australian institution: 15 points Diploma or trade qualification from an Australian institution: 10 points Australian Study Requirement (Maximum 5 points)
Meet the Australian study requirement: 5 points Professional Year in Australia (Maximum 5 points)
Completion of a Professional Year in Australia: 5 points Credentialled community language (Maximum 5 points)
Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language: 5 points Study in regional Australia (Maximum 5 points)
Living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia: 5 points Partner skills (Maximum 10 points)
Were under 45 years old, had competent English and had a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated skilled occupation: 10 points Specialist education qualification (Maximum 10 points)
A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree in STEM from an Australian educational institution: 10 points Nomination (Maximum 5 points)
Invited to apply for a Subclass 190 (Skilled — Nominated) visa: 5 points Nomination or sponsorship (Maximum 5 points)
Invited to apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or You are being sponsored for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) by a family member: 15 points The Minimum Score
The minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65 points. However, most invitations are issued to applicants with significantly higher scores — often 90+ points for popular occupations.
How TerraOz Migration Can Help
Our registered migration agents can help you identify strategies to improve your points score and navigate the EOI process. Contact us for a personalised assessment.
