Skilled Migration Points Test
What Is the Skilled Migration Points Test?
The Skilled Migration Points Test is the points-based system used by the Australian Government to assess applicants for certain skilled migration visas. It is used for the:
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Under the points test, points are allocated according to factors such as your age, English language ability, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications, Australian study, specialist education, professional year, community language skills, regional study and partner circumstances. State or Territory nomination can also provide additional points for subclasses 190 and 491.
You generally need to reach a minimum of 65 points to meet the points threshold for these points-tested skilled visa pathways. However, 65 points does not guarantee an invitation to apply. The number of points required to receive an invitation can be higher and can vary according to the applicable visa, occupation and invitation arrangements.
How the Points Test Works?
Your points score is calculated by adding the points available under the applicable categories. The maximum points available in each category are different, and some categories have specific requirements that must be satisfied before points can be claimed.
When Are Your Points Assessed?
A critical rule is that many points-test requirements are assessed by reference to your circumstances at the time you are invited to apply.
This means your points can change between submitting your EOI and receiving an invitation. For example, your age may move into another points band, you may acquire additional qualifying employment experience, or your English test circumstances may change.
You should therefore keep your SkillSelect EOI accurate and update it if your circumstances change before you receive an invitation.
How Many Points Do You Need?
For Australia’s points-tested skilled migration visas, you must meet the minimum qualifying score of 65 points to be eligible to receive an invitation through SkillSelect for the subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa. The Department of Home Affairs confirms that these three visas are points-based and that applicants must meet or exceed the 65-point threshold.
When you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), SkillSelect calculates an indicative points score based on the information you provide. If your EOI is selected for an invitation, the invitation will specify the points score that applies to that invitation. The Department states expressly that even applicants who meet the minimum points threshold are not guaranteed an invitation.
Minimum points vs invitation points
It is important to distinguish between these two concepts:
65 points — minimum qualifying threshold
This is the minimum points score required under the points test for the relevant points-tested skilled visa.
Invitation score — the score required for your invitation
An invitation is a separate step. Meeting the 65-point threshold does not mean that an invitation will automatically be issued. Your EOI must be considered for invitation under the applicable SkillSelect arrangements.
Therefore, 65 points should not be treated as an invitation guarantee or as a fixed invitation score.
Why can invitation requirements vary?
The number of points at which invitations are issued can vary because the skilled migration program operates through SkillSelect invitations, rather than granting visas solely because an applicant reaches 65 points. The Department uses SkillSelect to manage EOIs for subclasses 189, 190 and 491, and applicants must be invited before they can apply for these visas.
The competitiveness of an EOI can therefore depend on factors such as the visa subclass, nominated occupation and the invitation arrangements applying at the relevant time. For this reason, there is no single points score that can be described as sufficient for every applicant.
Important: Do not choose an occupation or visa pathway solely because you have calculated 65 points. Your occupation, skills assessment, English, age, visa-specific requirements, nomination requirements and the applicable invitation arrangements must all be considered.
Your points score can change before invitation
Your EOI is not necessarily a permanent snapshot of your circumstances. If your circumstances change before you receive an invitation, the Department allows you to update your EOI.
For example, your points may change if you:
- move into a different age bracket;
- obtain a higher English language result;
- gain additional qualifying skilled employment;
- complete an eligible qualification;
- become eligible for partner points; or
- become eligible for another points category.
This is why your EOI score should be reviewed whenever your circumstances change, particularly if you are close to an age, employment or other points threshold.
The Points Test
Age Points
| 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 |
Age points apply to the main applicant only and are assessed at the date of invitation. You must be under 45 years of age at invitation to be eligible for any skilled visa under the points test. At 45 or over, you receive 0 age points and lose eligibility.
English Language Points
| English | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Competent English is the minimum to be eligible — it earns 0 bonus points. Achieving Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each band) adds 10 points and Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each band) adds 20 points — the highest single points gain available from any one category. Improving your English score is the fastest way to increase your skillselect points if your other categories are fixed. See our English language points guide for full test score equivalencies.
Overseas Skilled Employment Points (outside Australia)
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 |
Overseas employment is counted only if it was in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation, within the 10 years before you are invited to apply. Employment must be for at least 20 hours per week to count.
Australian Skilled Employment Points (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 |
Australian employment earns more points per year than overseas employment — a significant incentive to gain local experience before applying.
Important rules for claiming employment points:
- Employment must be in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation
- It must fall within the 10 years before your invitation date
- You must have held a substantive visa or Bridging A or B visa (for Australian employment) and complied with all conditions of that visa
- Employed means engaged in an occupation for remuneration for at least 20 hours per week
Closely related occupations satisfy one of:
- Same ANZSCO Unit Group as your nominated occupation
- Consistent with a career advancement pathway to your nominated occupation
- Recognised by your assessing authority as closely related, as part of your skills assessment
See our closely related skilled occupation guide for more detail.
Employment points cap: The maximum points for combined Australian and overseas employment experience is 20 points — even if your years of experience would technically earn more, only 20 are counted. Plan your strategy around the cap.
Educational Qualification Points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or a Doctorate 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 |
Points are awarded for your highest qualification only — you cannot stack points for multiple degrees. For overseas qualifications, your assessing authority determines whether your qualification is comparable to the relevant Australian standard. You must have obtained this recognition at the time you are invited to apply.
Recognition of Overseas Qualifications
Your skills assessing authority determines whether your overseas qualification is comparable to the relevant Australian standard. Assessing authorities are listed against each occupation in the relevant skilled occupation list. You must hold this recognition at the time you receive your invitation — not just at EOI lodgment.
Claiming 20 Points for Doctorate — Important Note
The 20 doctorate points apply only to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). You cannot claim doctorate points for a Doctor of Medicine (MBBS/MD), Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or any other professional doctoral qualification that confers the title “Doctor” but is not a PhD.
Specialist Education Qualification Points
These 10 points apply in addition to your standard qualification points — they are not a replacement. A PhD holder who also meets the STEM specialist requirement can claim both 20 (doctorate) + 10 (specialist) = 30 qualification points total.
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| A Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least 2 academic years study in a relevant field. | 10 |
The specialist education points require a Masters by research or Doctorate from an Australian institution, after at least 2 academic years of study in one of the following fields:
Natural and physical sciences
- biological sciences
- chemical sciences
- earth sciences
- mathematical sciences
- natural and physical sciences
- other natural and physical sciences
- physics and astronomy
Information technology
- computer science
- information systems
- information technology
- other information technology
Engineering and related technologies
- aerospace engineering and technology
- civil engineering
- electrical and electronic engineering and technology
- engineering and related technologies
- geomatics engineering
- manufacturing engineering and technology
- maritime engineering and technology
- mechanical and industrial engineering and technology
- other engineering and related technologies
- process and resources engineering.
For the full guide on claiming specialist education points visit our STEM qualification points page.
Australian Study Requirement Points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Meet the Australian study requirement | 5 |
To claim these 5 points you must hold at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian Study Requirement — at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of CRICOS-registered study, conducted in English while physically in Australia. See our 2-year study requirement guide for full conditions.
Professional Year Points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Completion of a Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
To claim these 5 skillselect points for a Professional Year, your program must have been in Accounting, ICT/Computing or Engineering, in your nominated occupation or closely related occupation, completed over at least 12 months, completed in Australia within the 4 years before your invitation, and provided by one of:
- The Australian Computer Society (ACS)
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Engineers Australia
See our full Professional Year points guide for eligibility conditions and how to structure your program for maximum benefit.
Community Language (NAATI) Points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language | 5 |
To claim these 5 points test australia points, you must be credentialled at the paraprofessional level or above, certified at the certified provisional level or above, or hold a community language credential for interpreting or translating from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). See our NAATI community language points guide for qualifying languages and credential levels.
Regional Study Points
| 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 |
To claim these 5 regional study points, your qualification must:
- Meet the Australian Study Requirement
- Have been obtained while you lived in and studied at a campus in a designated regional area
- Not include study undertaken by distance education
Note: for the 485 visa regional study may also extend your visa duration — see our regional study points page for the full conditions.
Partner Skills Points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and skill criteria For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. Additionally, you will need to provide evidence that when you were invited to apply for this visa that they:
| 10 |
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and has competent English For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. | 5 |
| You are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
10 points (skilled partner): Your partner must be an applicant on the same visa subclass, must not be an Australian permanent resident or citizen, and at the time of invitation must have been: under 45 years old, competent English, nominated a skilled occupation on the same occupation list, and held a valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for that occupation (the assessment must not be for a 485 visa).
5 points (competent English partner): Your partner is an applicant on the same visa subclass, is not an Australian permanent resident or citizen, and has Competent English — but does not meet the full skilled partner criteria above.
10 points (single or Australian partner): You have no spouse or de facto partner, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
See our full partner skills points guide for all conditions and evidence requirements.
Nomination Points
Subclass 190 — State or Territory nomination: +5 points
| 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 received an invitation for the 190 visa and your nominating State or Territory government agency has not withdrawn the nomination. Your nomination must remain in effect at the time of invitation to claim these points.
Subclass 491 — State/Territory nomination or family sponsorship: +15 points
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
You received an invitation for the 491 visa through state/territory nomination (and nomination has not been withdrawn) OR through family sponsorship (and the Minister has accepted the sponsorship). These 15 points are the largest single boost available in the skilled migration points test — making the 491 the most accessible pathway for applicants below the 189 invitation threshold. | 15 |
Nomination must remain active at invitation — if the state withdraws nomination before invitation, you lose the 15 points. For sponsored applicants, the Minister must accept the sponsorship. See our 491 visa guide for full nomination and sponsorship conditions.
Discuss Your Strategy With Us to Maximise Your Invitation Opportunities
Simply calculating your points is only the first step. A well-planned skilled migration strategy can help you identify practical ways to improve your position for an invitation, rather than relying on your current points score alone.
Depending on your occupation and circumstances, there may be several strategies to consider, such as increasing your points, gaining relevant Australian skilled employment, working in a particular State or Territory, targeting eligible regional areas, considering specific industries or occupations in demand, improving your English score, or assessing whether subclass 190 or 491 nomination may provide an alternative pathway.
The appropriate strategy depends on your occupation, skills assessment, age, English level, work experience, qualifications, current visa, location and the nomination requirements that apply at the time. In some cases, where you work and the type of employment you undertake can be important when assessing State or Territory nomination opportunities.
VisaAid can assess your circumstances and help you identify which points score to target, which visa subclasses may be relevant, whether additional points can be obtained, and what employment, location or nomination strategies may be worth considering.
No strategy can guarantee an invitation, as invitations remain subject to the applicable SkillSelect and State or Territory nomination arrangements.
Speak to a VisaAid consultant for an individual assessment and tailored advice about your skilled migration strategy before making major decisions about your employment, study or location.
What Happens After You Receive an Invitation?
Receiving an invitation through SkillSelect is not the grant of a visa. After receiving an invitation, you must lodge your visa application and demonstrate that you meet the relevant visa requirements and can substantiate the claims made in your EOI.
60-Day Visa Application Period
Once invited, you generally have 60 calendar days to lodge your visa application. You should use this period to finalise your documents and ensure that the information in your visa application is consistent with your EOI.
An invitation does not extend indefinitely, so applicants should prepare their supporting documents before an invitation is issued wherever possible.
Evidence for Your Points Claims
You must be able to provide evidence supporting the points you claimed in your EOI. Do not assume that points entered into SkillSelect will be accepted automatically.
Important: Before lodging your application, check that every point claimed in your EOI can be supported by appropriate evidence. A discrepancy between your EOI claims and the evidence provided with your visa application can affect the application.
