Insights

Understanding the points test: how skilled migration scores work

Australia’s general skilled migration visas are points-tested. Resource Visa acts for employers, not individual applicants, but HR teams and the specialists they sponsor ask about the points test constantly, usually when weighing a sponsored pathway against an independent one. This is the plain version.

Where it applies

Which visas are points-tested

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) all rely on a points score to decide who receives an invitation to apply. The score is built from age, English, work experience, qualifications and a few supplementary factors. Employer-sponsored visas such as the subclass 482 and 186 are not points-tested; they rest on the employer’s nomination instead.

The scoring

Breakdown of the points system

Age (maximum 30 points). Applicants aged 25 to 32 score the most; over 45 scores nothing.
English language (maximum 20 points). Higher results in IELTS, PTE or an equivalent test add points above the minimum competent level.
Skilled employment (maximum 20 points). More years of skilled work in the nominated occupation, with Australian experience weighted above overseas experience.
Qualifications (maximum 20 points). A doctorate scores highest, then a bachelor degree or higher, then trade and diploma qualifications.
Australian study (5 points). At least two academic years studied in Australia.
Partner skills (up to 10 points). A partner who meets the age, English and skills assessment criteria, or who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Nomination or sponsorship. State or territory nomination adds 5 points for the subclass 190 and 15 points for the regional subclass 491.

Raising a score

How a skilled migration score can be improved

Improve the English result. Re-sitting PTE or IELTS for a proficient or superior result is the quickest way to add points.
Gain more skilled experience. Time in the nominated occupation, preferably in Australia, keeps adding until the cap.
Add a qualification. A masters or doctorate lifts the education points.
Seek state nomination. The subclass 190 or 491 adds points the independent visa cannot.
Claim partner points where the partner qualifies.
Complete a Professional Year in accounting, IT or engineering for five further points.

A higher score does not guarantee an invitation. Rounds are competitive and occupation-specific, which is one reason a specialist with an employer behind them often reaches Australia faster on a sponsored visa than on an independent one.

For employers

What this means if you are the sponsor

A worker who is also chasing a points-tested invitation is not a problem for your sponsorship, but it changes the conversation about retention: a 190 or 491 grant frees them from your nomination. If you want to keep the person, the subclass 186 through Temporary Residence Transition is the pathway you control. We can map both against each other for a specific worker.

Reviewed by a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1686595) · Last reviewed 16 October 2026

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