Points Test

Skilled Visas for immigration to Australia require applicants to score a minimum number of points on the Points Test. An applicant must meet the minimum points pass mark for the specific visa subclass.

Australian Visa Subclasses and Points Pass Marks

Visa Subclasses and Pass marks
Visa Subclass Points
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175) 120
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176) 100
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) 100
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) 100
Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) 120
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) 100

An applicant can earn points in the following categories:

Points for Skill

Points for Skill
Skill Points
For occupations where training is specific to the occupation. 60
For more general occupations. 50
For other general skilled occupations. 40

Points for Age

Points for Age
Age at time of application Points
18-29 Years 30
30-34 25
35-39 20
40-44 15

Points for English Language Ability

Points for Language
English Language Ability Points
Proficient English – person has a score of 7 or more in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) in each of the four test components or
have scored a B level or greater in an Occupational English Test (OET)
exam, where you sat an OET exam as part of a skills assessment.		 25
Competent English – this
requires that you hold a passport from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, USA
or Republic of Ireland, or have a score of 6 or more on all 4 components
of the IELTS Test.		 15
Vocational English – this only
applies if applicant has a trade occupation and does not hold a passport
from a native English speaking country (listed above). It requires a
score of 5 or more on all 4 components of the IELTS Test.		 15

Points for Specific Work Experience

Points for Specific Work
Work experience Points
Work experience closely related to nominated 60 point occupation for three of the last four years 10
Work experience in any occupation on the skilled occupation list for three of the last four years 5

Points for Australian Work Experience

Points for Australian Work
Work experience Points
Australian work experience closely related to nominated 60 point occupation for one of the last four years 10
Professional year closely related to the nominated occupation for one of the last four years 10

Points for Australian Qualifications

Points for Australian Qualifications
Qualification Points
Doctorate (minimum two years) 25
Masters/Honors with undergraduate degree (minimum three years) 15
Degree/diploma/trade qualification (minimum two years) 5

Regional Study

Points for Regional Study
Criteria: Points
Met 2 years study requirement while living and studying in regional Austalia 5

Partner Skills

Points for Partner Skills
Criteria: Points
You may receive these points only if your spouse satisfies the following criteria:

  • Age requirement;
  • English Language Ability;
  • Qualification;
  • Nominated Occupation;
  • Recent Work Experience; and
  • Has a skills assessment by relevant assessing body.
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Nomination

Points for Nomination
Criteria: Points
Nominated by state or territory government 10

Designated Area Sponsorship

Points for Designated Area Sponsorship
Criteria: Points
Sponsored by Australian relative living in a designated area (only available to provisional visa applicants) 25

Designated Language

Points for Designated Language
Criteria: Points
Professional level language skills in a designated community language.

Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages as evidenced by a qualification (of equivalent standard to an Australian degree) gained from a university where instruction was in one of the designated languages or be accredited with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the professional level (translator/interpreter level).

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