VisaChief The Australian points test explained (2026)
Every factor, every band, and the three rules that cost applicants points they thought they had.
The points test ranks you; it does not qualify you. Sixty-five points makes you eligible to be invited for a subclass 189, 190 or 491. Whether you are actually invited depends on how your score compares with everyone else in the pool for your occupation.
Every factor and band
| Factor | Claim | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 24 years | 25 |
| 25 to 32 years | 30 | |
| 33 to 39 years | 25 | |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 | |
| 45 years or over (not eligible) | 0 | |
| English language ability | Competent English (IELTS 6 in each component) | 0 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7 in each component) | 10 | |
| Superior English (IELTS 8 in each component) | 20 | |
| Skilled employment outside Australia | Less than 3 years | 0 |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 | |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 | |
| 8 to 10 years | 15 | |
| Skilled employment in Australia | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 to 2 years | 5 | |
| 3 to 4 years | 10 | |
| 5 to 7 years | 15 | |
| 8 to 10 years | 20 | |
| Educational qualification | Doctorate from an Australian or recognised overseas institution | 20 |
| Bachelor or Masters degree | 15 | |
| Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia | 10 | |
| Qualification recognised by your assessing authority | 10 | |
| None of these | 0 | |
| Specialist education qualification | No | 0 |
| Yes | 10 | |
| Australian study requirement | No | 0 |
| Yes | 5 | |
| Study in regional Australia | No | 0 |
| Yes | 5 | |
| Professional Year in Australia | No | 0 |
| Yes | 5 | |
| Credentialled community language | No | 0 |
| Yes | 5 | |
| Partner skills | Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Partner has competent English, a positive skills assessment and is under 45 | 10 | |
| Partner has competent English only | 5 | |
| Partner does not meet either | 0 | |
| Nomination (190) | State or territory nomination adds 5 points. | 5 |
| Nomination (491) | Regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points. | 15 |
A redesign of the points test has been under discussion since the Migration Strategy, with proposals to reweight partner points, English and experience. As at August 2026 none of it is legislated - the bands below are the ones in force. Treat any site quoting a new table as describing a proposal, not the law.
The three rules people get wrong
1. Work experience is capped at 20 points
Australian and overseas skilled employment are assessed separately, added together, then capped at 20. Eight years overseas (15) plus three years in Australia (10) is 20 points, not 25.
2. Everything is assessed at the date of invitation
Age, experience and the validity of your English test are all read at the moment you are invited. A birthday, an expiring test result or a job change between EOI and invitation changes your real score - and if the invited score does not match the evidence, the application is refused rather than re-scored.
3. Competent English scores nothing
Competent English is the entry requirement, not a scoring band. Only Proficient (10) and Superior (20) add points. For most applicants that is the largest single improvement available, and the fastest.
Worked examples
The Australian graduate, 27
Age 30 + Proficient English 10 + Bachelor degree 15 + Australian study requirement 5 + single 10 = 70 points for a 189, 75 with a state nomination. Adding Superior English instead of Proficient takes the same person to 80.
The overseas engineer, 34, married
Age 25 + Proficient English 10 + 6 years overseas experience 10 + Bachelor degree 15 + partner with Competent English and a skills assessment 10 = 70 points. If the partner sits only an English test, it is 65 - the difference between competitive and stuck.
The regional pathway, 41
Age 15 + Superior English 20 + 8 years experience 15 + Bachelor 15 + single 10 = 75 for a 189, and 90 with a 491 regional nomination. Age costs this applicant 15 points against the 27-year-old, and regional nomination more than repays it.
From score to visa
- Skills assessment from the authority for your occupation - it is a prerequisite, not a points factor.
- English test, valid at lodgement.
- Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. An EOI is free, is not an application, and does not create a queue place.
- Invitation, then 60 days to lodge with evidence for every claim.
Use the points calculator to score yourself, then compare the three points-tested routes in 189 vs 190 vs 491.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum points score for skilled migration to Australia?
Sixty-five points for the subclass 189, 190 and 491.
Does a state nomination add points?
Yes. A state or territory nomination adds 5 points on the subclass 190, and regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points on the subclass 491.
Can I claim points for my partner?
Yes. Ten points if your partner has Competent English, a positive skills assessment and is under 45, or if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Five points if your partner has Competent English only.
What happens if I claim points I cannot prove?
The application is assessed against the claims in your invited EOI. If the evidence does not support them, the usual outcome is refusal, not a lower score - which is why overclaiming is the most expensive mistake in the skilled program.