Australia Point Based Immigration System: Do You Qualify?
Are you ready to move “down under”? Do you want to find out whether you qualify to immigrate to Australia? The Department of Home Affairs uses a structured points-based immigration system to assess applications from people wanting to move to Australia. We have an easy guide to help you emigrate to Australia. Read more about the Australian point-based immigration system here.
What are the Points Test Requirements for Australian Immigration?
The Australian Points Test is used to evaluate eligibility for various skilled migration visas, including the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491). To be considered, you must meet the Australian general skilled migration basic requirements and score enough points based on age, qualifications, experience, and English language proficiency.
How Does the Australian Points-Based System Work?
Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and must score at least 65 points, the minimum points requirement to be invited to apply for a visa. However, highly competitive rounds may see successful applicants achieving 85 points or even 90 points. Additional points may be awarded for state/territory nomination under a plan for a skilled nominated or sponsored visa.
What Does the Point System Include?
Age Brackets
Points are awarded based on your age at the time of invitation:
| Age Range | Points |
| 18–24 | 25 |
| 25–32 | 30 |
| 33–39 | 25 |
| 40–44 | 15 |
| 45–49 | 0 |
English Language Skills
English ability is measured by recognized tests like IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT:
| English Level | Points |
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Skilled Work Experience
You can gain points for work experience related to your nominated occupation, both within Australia and overseas, as long as it is post-qualification and full-time (or equivalent part-time).
Educational Qualifications
Points are awarded based on the highest level of education:
| Qualification Type | Points |
| Doctorate (PhD) | 20 |
| Bachelor’s or Master’s degree | 15 |
| Australian diploma/trade qualification | 10 |
| Recognized qualification related to occupation | 10 |
Community Language Skills
If you are proficient in a NAATI-accredited community language, you can receive an additional 5 points. This supports Australia’s multicultural community services.
Specialist Education Qualification
Completing a master’s degree by research or a doctorate in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) in Australia for at least two years earns you 10 points.
Australian Study Requirement
If you have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia (in a CRICOS-registered course), you can receive 5 points.
Professional Year
Completion of a professional year program (in accounting, IT, or engineering) in Australia within the past 4 years provides 5 additional points.
Spouse or Partner Skills and Qualifications
You may be eligible for additional points based on your spouse’s or de facto partner’s:
- Age (under 45)
- English proficiency
- Relevant skills assessment in an eligible occupation
This can lead to 5 to 10 extra points depending on the criteria met.
Nomination or Sponsorship
You can earn:
- 5 points for a state/territory nomination under the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
- 15 points for regional nomination or sponsorship by a family member under the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491)
Points Gained from Work Experience and Qualifications
Work experience and education combine to reflect your ability to contribute to the workforce. Higher qualifications and longer, relevant experience attract more points and strengthen your profile.
Work Experience Outside of Australia
| Experience Duration | Points |
| 3-4 years | 5 |
| 5-7 years | 10 |
| 8+ years | 15 |
Work Experience in Australia
| Experience Durations | Points |
| 1-2 years | 5 |
| 3-4 years | 10 |
| 5-7 years | 15 |
| 8+ years | 20 |
Your Partner’s Skills and How They Affect Your Points Score
Depending on your partner’s background, you may receive:
- 10 points if they meet the age, English, and skills assessment criteria
- 5 points if they have competent English only
- 10 points if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Who is Qualified to Emigrate to Australia?
- To immigrate to Australia, you need to prove that to are a skilled worker or have/will work in a job from the skilled occupation list. You can look at the skilled migration visa options from the Australian government.
- If you are already a successful business owner, you can be nominated by a State or Territory to establish a business in Australia.
- If you have a family member who is an Australian permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you so that you can emigrate to Australia.
What is the Criteria for Moving to Australia?
To emigrate to Australia, you need to have the skills or qualifications that Australia needs. To establish that you have these skills, you need to apply for a skilled visa by the Australian Government or be nominated for a skilled visa by a State or Territory government. You can also be nominated for a skilled visa by an employer. You can take a skills assessment and prove that you have proficient English skills and other competencies needed for general skilled migration.
Employees can sponsor their workers to emigrate to Australia if workers fit the qualifications, work experience, and skills needed.
What’s Involved?
You need to read the rules for Australia carefully and understand what is required before you leap. Some visas may have a limit on the work you can perform in Australia and/or your hours. You need to visit a professional who can assist you with your safe and legal migration to Australia, as well as visit the Department of Home Affairs. The professionals and department can provide you with more information on the type of visa to apply for and how to apply for permanent residency in Australia.
Why Was the Australian Points Test Implemented?
The Points Test was introduced to strategically manage skilled migration and ensure Australia attracts applicants with qualifications and experience that meet the nation’s economic needs. It enables a transparent, merit-based selection process, aligning with long-term workforce planning and regional development goals.
The Cost to Undertake the Application
The price of Australian visas varies depending on the date of application. The amount is charged in
Australian dollars (AUD). If you’re applying for yourself, you can use an estimator or pricing table to determine the amount you will need. If you’re being sponsored by an employer, you are likely to receive assistance with this, or you can use the help of migration services to make your move a lot easier.
Visa Requirements
There are different requirements for each type of visa. The general list of requirements to immigrate includes
- Candidates nominated to apply or be sponsored by a State or Territory government agency, or relative (if eligible)
- Candidates to have an occupation on a skilled occupation list
- Candidates to have the skills assessment for the occupation and satisfy the points for the test
- To be a skilled worker in the region for 5 years.
- To live, work and study in Australia
- To meet the age criteria, which differ according to the visa applied for
To find out more about the Australia point-based immigration system or to see whether you qualify, contact us at Tri-Nations Migration today!
