United Kingdom
Capital Business Centre
CBC House
24 Canning Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EG
Immigration to Australia: Skilled Points Test
Skilled Visas for immigration to Australia require applicants to score a minimum number of points on the Points Test. The Points Test awards points for:
- Age;
- English Language Ability;
- Skilled Employment;
- Educational Qualifications;
- Australian Study Requirements;
- Credentialled Community Language Qualifications;
- Study in Regional Australia
- Partner Skill Qualifications;
- Professional Year in Australia;
- Nomination by State or Territory Government (visa subclass 190 only); and
- Nomination by State or Territory Government or Sponsorship by an Eligible Family Member (visa subclass 490 only).
Australian Visa Subclasses and Points Pass Marks
Visa Subclasses and Pass Marks | |
Points | |
Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) | 65 |
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 190) | 65 |
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 489) | 65 |
Points for Age | |
Age at time of application | Points |
18-24 (inclusive) | 25 |
25-32 (inclusive) | 30 |
33-39 (inclusive) | 25 |
40-44 (inclusive) | 15 |
Points for English Language Ability | |
Points | |
Superior English – person has a score of 8 or more in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) in each of the four test components. | 20 |
Proficient English – person has a score of 7 or more in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) in each of the four test components. | 10 |
Competent English – person has a score of 6 or more in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) in each of the four test components. | 0 |
Points for Skilled Employment
Only 20 points can be awarded for any combination of overseas and Australian skilled employment.
Points for Australian Employment in nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation | |
Points | |
At least eight and up to 10 years (of past 10 years). | 20 |
At least five but less than eight years (of past 10 years). | 15 |
At least three but less than five years (of past 10 years). | 10 |
At least one but less than three years (of past 10 years). | 5 |
Points for Overseas Employment in nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation | |
Points | |
At least eight and up to 10 years (of past 10 years). | 15 |
At least five but less than eight years (of past 10 years). | 10 |
At least three but less than five years (of past 10 years). | 5 |
Points for Educational Qualifications | |
Points | |
Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other Doctorate of a recognised standard. | 20 |
At least a Bachelor degree, including a Bachelor degree with Honours or Masters, from an Australian educational institution or other degree of a recognised standard. | 15 |
Diploma or trade qualification or other qualification completed in Australia, or qualification or award of recognised standard. | 10 |
Points for Australian Study Requirements | |
Points | |
One or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications awarded by an Australian educational institution and meet the Australian Study Requirement. | 5 |
Points for Credentialled Community Language Qualifications | |
Points | |
You can receive five points for credentialled community language at the time you are invited to apply. Credentialled community langue is accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). | 5 |
Points for Study in a Regional Area of Australia | |
Points | |
You can receive five points if you meet the Australian Study Requirement to have lived and studied in regional Australia or a low population growth metropolitan area at the time you are invited to apply. | 5 |
Points for Partner Skill Qualifications | |
Points | |
You can receive five points if your partner meets requirements at the time you are invited to apply relating to:
You cannot receive these points if your partner is not included on your visa application, or if they are an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. |
5 |
Points for Professional Year in Australia | |
Points | |
You can receive five points for having completed a Professional Year in Australia in the four years before you are invited to apply.
Your Professional Year course must have been in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation. The course must have lasted for a period totalling at least 12 months. |
5 |
Points for Sponsorship by State or Territory Government | |
Points | |
Nomination by a state or territory government under a State Migration Plan, for the purposes of a subclass 190 application. | 5 |
Points for Nomination by State or Territory Government or Sponsorship by an Eligible Family Member | |
Points | |
Nomination by a state or territory government under a State Migration Plan, or sponsorship by an eligible relative, to a regional area for the purposes of a subclass 489 application. | 10 |
Sue made our whole process stress free.
We honesty could not have done it all with out knowledge and support.
I have already been recommending visa go to friends who are looking to start the process.
Thank you so much again!!!
Sue was a dream to deal with and thoroughly checked over all of our documents ensuring that everything was of the exacting standards of the Australian Government. We could not have completed process without Sue. Thank you once again for all of your help.
Sue was amazing throughout, keeping us updated each step of the way, and providing detailed guidance at the start of each stage, which enabled us to start preparing and collating everything needed for the next part when the time came. Sue’s replies to the many emails that I've sent her way over the course of this process, were always prompt and patient, and nothing ever seemed to much trouble. Sue’s experience and understanding of the processes, timelines and the strict format in which things had to be done, meant that she was able to advise us and provide guidelines, which meant that when we submitted each stage, we were not having to worry about delays due to incomplete applications.
18 months on from that initial meeting - we have now been living and working in Australia for 8 months, and have recently changed onto a permanent visa.
We are extremely glad that we chose to work with Visa Go, and want to say a massive thank you to Sue, Darren and the team for all of their support and assistance throughout.
Darren always took the time to answer any questions and help me through the process.
Within weeks he had my partner visa submitted and now I have my permanent residency!
I couldn’t thank Darren and the team enough 👍
My case officer, Sue, has been very professional and knowledgeable throughout the process providing great customer service, from providing the documents required to promptly replying to all queries.
So, to Darren, Kimberley and Sue, thank you all for your support to achieve my Visa.
Our visa process took 11 months (as expected for the visa we applied for) and Sue kept us on track and up to date all the time, extremely organised and always happy to help and provide us with her support.
I highly recommend Visa Go Australia, we couldn't imagine trying to go through this process without Sues help and guidance. Samantha Mills
Can't thank Darren and Kimberley enough.
Calam, Charlie and Rory
Thank so much for all your help!
Jonas & Cynthia
I would highly recommend anyone applying for a visa to do it through them.
They made sure we had all the information at every step of they way and nothing was ever a problem if I called or emailed.
Thank you so much to all of the team!
Denny, Victoria and Caitlyn