- You need at least 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Age, English, work experience and qualifications give most of your points.
- Work experience in and outside Australia is capped at 20 points combined.
- State nomination adds 5 points (190) or 15 points (491).
What the points test is
The 189, 190 and 491 visas are points-tested. You claim points in SkillSelect when you lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), and you must be able to prove every claim when you are invited and apply. The minimum to lodge an EOI is 65 points, but invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs first, so many occupations need more.
Points for each category
| Category | Your situation | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 24 | 25 |
| Age | 25 to 32 | 30 |
| Age | 33 to 39 | 25 |
| Age | 40 to 44 | 15 |
| English | Competent | 0 |
| English | Proficient | 10 |
| English | Superior | 20 |
| Skilled work outside Australia (last 10 years) | 3 to 4 years / 5 to 7 years / 8+ years | 5 / 10 / 15 |
| Skilled work in Australia (last 10 years) | 1 to 2 / 3 to 4 / 5 to 7 / 8+ years | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 |
| Qualification | Doctorate | 20 |
| Qualification | Bachelor or Masters | 15 |
| Qualification | Diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Specialist education | Australian Masters by research or PhD in STEM or ICT | 10 |
| Australian study requirement | At least 2 academic years of study in Australia | 5 |
| Regional study | Studied and lived in a designated regional area | 5 |
| Professional Year | Completed in Australia | 5 |
| Credentialled community language | NAATI CCL | 5 |
| Partner | Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Partner | Partner has skills (under 45, positive skills assessment, Competent English) | 10 |
| Partner | Partner has Competent English only | 5 |
| Nomination | State or territory nomination for the 190 | 5 |
| Nomination | State or territory nomination or eligible relative sponsorship for the 491 | 15 |
Work experience points from inside and outside Australia together are capped at 20. Source: Department of Home Affairs points table.
Common mistakes
- Counting work experience from before your skills assessing body says you became skilled.
- Claiming English points with a test that will be more than 3 years old when you are invited.
- Forgetting that age points are worked out on the day you are invited, not the day you lodge your EOI.
- Claiming partner points without your partner’s own skills assessment and English result.
Check your own points
Our 189 points calculator walks through the official questions with a live total, and compares it with the points your occupation needed in the latest round. Your free dashboard does the same for all 8 states at once.
General information only, not migration advice. Facts checked 13 Nov 2026. Rules can change at any time.
Want advice on your own case?
Talk to our registered migration agents (MARN 2518931, 2619448) in Glenroy, Parramatta or online.
General information only. This is not migration advice for your circumstances. Rules change, so always check the official source or speak with a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2518931, MARN 2619448).
Book a consultation