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Australian Visa Bureau   »   Visas and Immigration   »   Australia Skilled Migration   »  Skilled Migration Points

Immigration to Australia: Skilled Points Test

The Australian Visa Bureau is a division of Visa Bureau. Visa Bureau is not affiliated with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and is a website specialising in visa and immigration information to Australia.

Australian Skilled Migration Visas

Skilled workers who wish to apply for permanent migration to Australia can apply through the Australian General Skilled Migration Program. The program aims to meet current skills shortages by attracting skilled migrants.

Click Here to Complete the Free Online Australian Skilled Migration Visa Assessment

Australian Visa Bureau's free online Skilled Migration Visa assessment will provide you with your points score on completion and you will be given the option at that stage to request a free telephonic or email consultation with an experienced migration consultant specialising in evaluating eligibility for migration to Australia. As part of this initial free consultation, the consultant will discuss the options open to you and provide you with guidance on what visas are suitable and practical to you situation.

Additionally, should you decide to use us to assist you with your skilled migration visa application, your migration consultant will explain our service charges. Our service charges are dependent on both the visa subclass and your own individual circumstances; for example, while our service charge can be as low as £29, it can range to £2,400 for some skilled visa applications. This is not inclusive of VAT, the Australian government fees or any other costs associated with the application. You are not obliged to use our services at any point and we encourage you to take the free online assessment to assess your eligibility. Should you choose to use our services, your application will be handled by a MARA-registered migration agent initially and you will be assigned a personal caseworker who will guide you through every step of the process, from confirming your eligibility and gathering documents to checking your final application before lodging it to the Australian government.

You can also begin the process of applying for an Australian Skilled Migration Visa by going to the Australian Government website. The government fees for a visa application range in price, depending on your own personal circumstances and the subclass of visa you are applying for. The total government fee can be anything from AU$435 for an employer-sponsored visa to over AU$3,000 for certain skilled visas.

Click Here to Apply Online on IMMI.gov.au (Official Site)

Most 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:

Australian Visa Subclasses and Points Pass Marks

Visa Subclasses and Pass marks
Visa Subclass Points
Skilled - Independent (subclass 189) 60
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 190) 60
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 489) 60

Points for Age

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
45-49 (inclusive) 0

Points for English Language Ability

Points for English Language Ability
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
Work experience 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
Work experience 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 for Educational Qualifications
Qualification 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

Australian Study Requirements

Points for Australian Study Requirements
Criteria: 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 for Credentialled Community Language Qualifications
Criteria: 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 Regional Australia or a low population growth metropolitan area (excluding distance education)

Points for Study in a Regional Area of Australia
Criteria: 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 for Partner Skill Qualifications
Criteria: Points

You can receive five points if your partner meets requirements at the time you are invited to apply relating to:

  • Age;
  • English Language Ability;
  • A suitable skills assessment in a nominated occupation on the same Skilled Occupation List used for your application.

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 for at least 12 months in the four years before the day you were invited

Points for Professional Year in Australia
Criteria: 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 Nomination by State or Territory Government (visa subclass 190 only)

Points for Sponsorship by State or Territory Government
Criteria: 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, to reside and work in a specified/designated area (visa subclass 489 only)

Points for Nomination by State or Territory Government or Sponsorship by an Eligible Family Member
Criteria: 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