How the Points Test Works
Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program uses a points-based system to rank applicants for permanent residency. When you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, the Department of Home Affairs assesses your claim against 12 scoring categories covering age, English ability, work experience, education, and additional factors.
Points are awarded for each category based on evidence you provide. Your total score determines whether you receive an invitation to apply for a subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (State Nominated), or 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa.
Minimum Points Required
The absolute minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points. However, meeting the minimum does not guarantee an invitation. In practice, competitive scores for most occupations sit between 80 and 95 points, depending on your nominated occupation and the current invitation round.
High-demand occupations such as software engineering, nursing, and accounting typically require scores at the upper end of this range. Less competitive occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) may receive invitations closer to the 65-point threshold.
How to Improve Your Points Score
If your score falls short of competitive levels, consider these five strategies:
- Improve your English score — Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7) to Superior (IELTS 8) adds 10 extra points. This is often the single highest-impact change. See our English test preparation guide.
- Gain Australian work experience — Even one year of skilled employment in Australia earns 5 points, scaling up to 20 points for 8+ years.
- Complete a Professional Year program — Available for accounting, IT, and engineering graduates, this 44-week program adds 5 points.
- Obtain a NAATI CCL credential — Passing the Community Language test adds 5 points regardless of your occupation. Learn more in our skills assessment guide.
- Apply for state or territory nomination — A 190 nomination adds 5 points and a 491 nomination adds 15 points. Explore options by state and territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are invitation rounds held?
The Department of Home Affairs typically runs SkillSelect invitation rounds once or twice per month. The number of invitations and the minimum score required can change each round based on the government's migration planning levels.
Can I claim points for both overseas and Australian work experience?
Yes. Overseas skilled work experience and Australian skilled work experience are scored independently. You can claim points in both categories as long as the employment is in your nominated or closely related occupation and has been assessed by the relevant skills assessing authority.
Do partner skills really add 10 points?
They can. If your partner (spouse or de facto) holds a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled occupation list and has at least Competent English, you receive 10 points. Alternatively, if you are a single applicant with no partner, you also receive 10 points.
Is this calculator accurate for 2026?
This calculator reflects the points test criteria published by the Department of Home Affairs as of early 2026. Points values are set by the Migration Regulations 1994 and do not change frequently. However, we recommend confirming your score with a registered migration agent before submitting your EOI.