Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations for skilled migrants, thanks to its strong economy, high quality of life, and diverse job opportunities. To ensure the country attracts the best talent, the Australian government uses a points-based system to assess skilled visa applicants.
This system rewards applicants based on factors such as age, qualifications, English language proficiency, and work experience. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.
In this guide, we’ll explain how the points system works, the minimum eligibility requirements, and how you can improve your score to increase your chances of migrating successfully.
The points-based migration system is designed to ensure Australia selects skilled migrants who can contribute to the economy and meet the demands of the labor market.
Points are awarded based on various factors, including:
Your total score determines your ranking in the pool of applicants. Invitations to apply for visas are issued to candidates with the highest scores first.
To be eligible for a skilled visa, you must score at least 65 points. However, meeting the minimum does not guarantee an invitation.
In recent years, many occupations have required significantly higher points to secure an invitation — often 85 or even 90 points. This is especially true for competitive occupations in the IT, healthcare, engineering, and trades sectors.
Let’s break down the key factors that contribute to your points score.
Your age plays a big role in your score. The most points are awarded to applicants aged between 25 and 32.
| Age Range | Points |
|---|---|
| 18–24 | 25 |
| 25–32 | 30 |
| 33–39 | 25 |
| 40–44 | 15 |
| 45+ | 0 |
Your English skills are assessed through an approved language test, such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.
| Level of English | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Higher English scores not only improve your chances but also open doors to more visa subclasses.
You can earn points for both overseas and Australian work experience in a nominated occupation.
Overseas Skilled Employment (Last 10 Years)
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 3–4 years | 5 |
| 5–7 years | 10 |
| 8+ years | 15 |
Australian Skilled Employment (Last 10 Years)
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1–2 years | 5 |
| 3–4 years | 10 |
| 5–7 years | 15 |
| 8+ years | 20 |
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate (PhD) | 20 |
| Bachelor’s or Master’s degree | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
If your qualifications are from Australia, you may be eligible for extra points.
Completing a Master’s degree by research or a PhD in Australia in certain fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) gives you an extra 10 points.
Australia’s points-tested visas include:
The Department of Home Affairs issues invitations to apply in periodic rounds. Candidates with the highest points are invited first.
For example:
That’s why boosting your points — through better English scores, gaining more work experience, or securing state nomination — is essential.
While the skilled migration list changes over time, some sectors consistently have high demand:
Migrants in these sectors with high points often receive priority invitations.
If you’re aiming for a skilled visa, here are some practical ways to increase your points:
Many applicants make the mistake of estimating their points incorrectly. This can lead to wasted time, delayed applications, or even visa refusals.
At The World Wide Advisors, we specialize in accurate point assessments. Our team evaluates your profile based on the latest Department of Home Affairs criteria and helps you choose the best pathway — whether it’s subclass 189, 190, or 491.
Migrating to Australia is a life-changing opportunity, but success starts with knowing your points score.
If you are serious about moving, let our experts calculate your score and develop a tailored migration strategy for you.
Contact The World Wide Advisors today for your free, expert points check and start your journey to Australia.
