What is the points test?
Australia's skilled migration system is not a first-come, first-served queue. Instead, it uses a points-based selection system to rank candidates against each other. The more points you score, the more competitive your application is and the faster you are likely to receive an invitation to apply.
To even enter the pool, you need a minimum of 65 points. But meeting the minimum is rarely enough in practice — in most occupations, the actual invitations go to applicants well above that threshold. A higher score means you are more likely to be picked in each round of invitations.
Which visas use the points test?
Three skilled migration visa subclasses use the SkillSelect points test:
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent: Permanent residence, no state nomination required.
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated: Permanent residence, state or territory nomination adds +5 points.
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional): Provisional visa leading to Subclass 191 permanent residence, state/territory or eligible relative nomination adds +15 points.
All three visas require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation, and all require you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
Points breakdown by category
Points are awarded across several categories. Here is a full breakdown with the maximum available in each:
| Category | Detail | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18–24 years | 25 |
| Age | 25–32 years (maximum) | 30 |
| Age | 33–39 years | 25 |
| Age | 40–44 years | 15 |
| Age | 45 and over | 0 |
| English language | Competent English (IELTS 6 each band) | 0 |
| English language | Proficient English (IELTS 7 each band) | 10 |
| English language | Superior English (IELTS 8 each band) | 20 |
| Overseas skilled employment | 3–4 years in nominated occupation | 5 |
| Overseas skilled employment | 5–7 years | 10 |
| Overseas skilled employment | 8+ years (maximum) | 15 |
| Australian skilled employment | 1–2 years in nominated occupation | 5 |
| Australian skilled employment | 3–4 years | 10 |
| Australian skilled employment | 5–7 years | 15 |
| Australian skilled employment | 8+ years (maximum) | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | Doctorate (Australian, or overseas of a recognised standard) | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | Bachelor or higher (Australian, or overseas of a recognised standard) | 15 |
| Educational qualifications | Diploma or trade qualification from an Australian institution | 10 |
| Educational qualifications | Other qualification or award recognised by your assessing authority | 10 |
| Study in regional Australia | Qualification meeting the Australian study requirement, gained while living and studying in regional Australia | 5 |
| Australian study requirement | At least one Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification from at least 2 academic years of study in Australia | 5 |
| Specialist education | Australian Masters by research or Doctorate in a STEM or specified ICT field (at least 2 academic years) | 10 |
| Professional Year | Completed a Professional Year program in Australia | 5 |
| Community language | NAATI community language credential (or NAATI accreditation at paraprofessional / certified provisional level or above) | 5 |
| Partner skills | Partner applying with you has competent English (no skills assessment) | 5 |
| Partner skills | Partner applying with you is under 45, has competent English and a suitable skills assessment in an occupation on the same list | 10 |
| Partner skills | Single or partner is an Australian citizen/PR | 10 |
| Nomination — 189 | No nomination | 0 |
| Nomination — 190 | State/territory nomination | 5 |
| Nomination — 491 | State/territory or eligible relative sponsorship | 15 |
Employment points are capped: overseas and Australian skilled employment together can earn a maximum of 20 points, and only employment in the 10 years before invitation counts. You get education points for your highest qualification only; the specialist education, study and other bonus items are added on top.
Tips to boost your score
If your current score is close to but not above the typical invitation threshold for your occupation, here are the most common ways to increase it:
- Improve to Superior English. Achieving an IELTS score of 8 in all four bands unlocks 20 points — the largest single boost available from a single exam. This is the most commonly recommended strategy for people sitting at 70–75 points.
- Complete a Professional Year. A one-year structured work placement program (available in accounting, IT, and engineering) adds 5 points if completed in the four years before you are invited.
- Work in Australia. Even 1–2 years of skilled employment in your nominated occupation on a temporary visa like a 485 or 482 earns you additional Australian employment points.
- Consider state nomination. If 189 is out of reach, seeking state nomination for a 190 (+5 points) or 491 (+15 points) can make a significant difference — especially for mid-range scores.
- NAATI community language credential. If you have a language other than English, completing a NAATI community language test earns 5 points with relatively low effort compared to other categories.
What score do I actually need?
The minimum to enter the SkillSelect pool is 65 points. However, the score required to receive an invitation in any given round depends entirely on your occupation and the demand from other candidates.
Highly competitive occupations (e.g. accountants, software engineers, management consultants) often see invitation scores of 85 or higher, or no 189 invitations at all in a given round. In the June 2026 Subclass 189 round, most occupations that received invitations were invited at 75–85 points. A score of 65–70 in competitive fields may never receive an invitation.
Less competitive or regional occupations may see invitations go out at 65–70 points — in June 2026 several trades, including electricians, were invited at 65.
The only way to know the latest invitation scores for your specific occupation is to monitor the SkillSelect statistics published by the Department of Home Affairs after each round of invitations. Invitation scores change over time as the occupation ceiling is adjusted and new candidates enter the pool.
How SkillSelect works
SkillSelect is the online system where you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI). Here is the basic process:
- Check your occupation. Confirm your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list (the MLTSSL for 189; the MLTSSL or STSOL for 190; the MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL for state-nominated 491).
- Get a skills assessment. Apply to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation (e.g. Engineers Australia, CPA Australia, VETASSESS). This confirms your qualifications and experience are recognised.
- Submit your EOI. Create a SkillSelect profile and submit your EOI with your points claim. You can update your EOI at any time before you are invited.
- Wait for an invitation round. Home Affairs holds 189 invitation rounds periodically during the program year, with no fixed schedule. In each round, the highest-scoring EOIs in each occupation are invited first; ties go to the EOI that reached that score earliest. For 190 and state-nominated 491 visas, the state or territory decides who to nominate.
- Lodge your visa application. If invited, you typically have 60 days to lodge your actual visa application and pay the application charge.
Important: Occupation ceilings apply. Home Affairs can cap how many 189 and family-sponsored 491 invitations go to each occupation group in a programme year (1 July to 30 June). Once a ceiling is reached, no more invitations go out for that group until the new programme year. Ceilings do not apply to 190 or state-nominated 491 visas.
Use our free Points Test Calculator
Working out your exact score manually is straightforward with the right tool. Visaify's free Points Test Calculator covers all categories — age, English, employment history, qualifications, and additional points — and gives you an instant total.
Calculate your points score for free →
You can also use our State Nomination Guide to explore which states and territories are currently nominating for your occupation.
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Points table for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect invitation rounds
- Department of Home Affairs — SkillSelect
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled occupation list
Disclaimer
This article is for general information purposes only. The points test categories, scores, and occupation lists are set by the Australian Government and can change at any time. Always verify your occupation code, skills assessment requirements, and points allocation on the official Department of Home Affairs website at homeaffairs.gov.au. For personal immigration advice, consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified migration lawyer.