If you are looking to move to Australia and work here on a skilled visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, you will need to first qualify for your visa.
There are points based visas (Skilled Independent, Skilled Nominated or Skilled Regional) and also temporary and permanent non-points based (sponsored) visas available, but if you wish to apply for a points based visa you will need enough points to receive an invitation to lodge an application.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs operate a points system and if you want to know if you have a chance of qualifying for one of these points based visas, you will need to see how many points you might get.
There are lots of points calculators to be found on the Internet and some are quite whizzy. You know, answer some questions selecting your answers from the drop-down menus and all of a sudden, your points total appears at the foot of the page.
No such technology here, but not many of those websites will tell you this…
Australia opens its doors mainly to young, intelligent, skilled and qualified people, people with good English language skills, people that can offer something to Australia. It is a very selective process.
For older people, people without skills, people who do not speak good English, the answer is almost certainly “No”.
That is a very cold and hard view of how the system works, but it is probably a true reflection of how it is for the vast majority of people looking to move to Australia. That said, there are over 130 different types of visas and there will be, as there always have been in the past, exceptions to the above rules.
The list of exceptions is probably quite long, from refugees to the extremely rich. But for the vast majority, it’s all about age, qualifications, skills, understanding of the English language and very often, points.
It can be very difficult working out whether you are in a position to lodge an application or not and if you need professional assistance, do check out my Visa Assessment Service.
Points Calculator
So, grab yourself a low tech pen and an even lower tech scrap of paper and work out how many points you might get right now.
Age
No applications can be made after 45 years except where there are age exemptions (ENS SC444 visa holders and SC189 NZ citizens pathway visa).
These are the points you get for your age:
- Age 40 – 44 = 15 points
- Age 33 – 39 = 25 points
- Age 25 – 32 = 30 points
- Age 18 – 24 = 25 points
Update: Some people are unsure about how many points they get for their age, it’s very simple. Example; somebody who is 39 years and 11 months old still falls into the 33 – 39 years category. Only when they turn 40 do they go into the 40 to 44 category.
Command of the English language:
- Superior = 20 points
- Proficient = 10 points
- Competent = 0 points
Your English language skills are assessed using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. There are four parts to this test; speaking, reading, listening and writing. To be superior, you will need to score a minimum of 8 for each. To be proficient, you need to score at least 7 for each part and to be competent you need to score 6 as a minimum for each of the four.
Update: So, it is not the average of your four scores, it’s not the highest, it is actually the lowest score you get that determines your overall score and whether you are Superior, Proficient or Competent. For this reason, many people struggle with IELTS.
Fortunately, since I initially created this page, more English-language tests have been introduced that are accepted by the Australian government. According to my MARA agent, they are:
- http://pearsonpte.com/
- http://www.ielts.org/
- http://www.ets.org/toefl
- http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/advanced/
- https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
I’m not fully sure how the scoring system of any of the above tests work, but I have had many readers saying that they found the Pearson’s test, the one first in this list, preferable to IELTS.
If you hold a passport from the UK, the USA, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand, you automatically qualify as competent, but that still gives you zero points. If you need more points, you will need to sit the test. For other passport holders, even though competent doesn’t score you any points, you still need to take the test toprove your competency to continue.
Please be aware that there are two types of IELTS test; the General test and the Academic test. The general IELTS is the standard English test, and the Academic is required by certain academic or medical/specialist occupations. The test that you take largely depends on what is required by the kind of work that you do and/or the requirement of potential sponsors.
Your skill
In April 2017 the Australian Government Abolished 457 Visas. They also changed the nature of the skills lists.
The new skills lists
Both the old skills lists have been replaced as follows:
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) replaced the previous ‘Skilled Occupation List’ (SOL)
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) replaced the previous ‘Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List’ (CSOL)
Please visit the government’s website for more information. The following page contains both of the new lists in full listing all eligible skills as well as the ANZSCO code and the assessing authorities:
Work experience in your nominated skill:
You can get extra points depending upon how much time you have spent being employed in your nominated skill. How many years experience do you have out of the last 10 years in your nominated occupation? This can sometimes include work in a closely related occupation.
If your work experience is from overseas…
- Three years = 5 points
- Five years = 10 points
- Eight years = 15 points
But you will get more points for work experience gained in Australia in your nominated occupation…
- One year = 5 points
- Three years = 10 points
- Five years = 15 points
- Eight years = 20 points
Qualifications
- Doctorate degree = 20 points
- Bachelor degree = 15 points
- Australian Diploma or trade qualification = 10 points
- A successful authorised skills assessment in a recognised qualification = 10 points
Extra points
There are several ways to earn extra points:
- Studying a course in Australia that meets certain requirements = 5 points
- By meeting the Australian Study Requirement (above) while studying in a regional area = 5 points
- NAATI accreditation = 5 points
- By completing a Professional Year course specified by the Minister = 5 points
- If your partner meets the basic requirements for a skilled migration visa = 5 points
Partners:
Having spoken to my MARA agent, I can now clear up the following.
A partner can assist with 5 points if they:
- were under 45 years of age at the time of the application;
- had at least competent English (prescribed passport holder or 6 in all 4 IELTS modules or equivalent test);
- had nominated an occupation on the same skilled occupation list as the main applicant’s nominated occupation (can’t mix and match with the Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List ( MLTSSL) and the Short Term Skilled occupation List ( STSOL));
- have been assessed by the assessing authority relevant to their nominated occupation as having suitable skills for that occupation (formal assessment).
How many points do you need?
The current qualifying point score to receive an invitation to lodge an application is 60 65 – As at the 1 July 2018, the government has increased the pool mark (eligibility level) to 65 points (up from 60 points).
If you have lodged an Expression of Interest ( EOI) in any of the points based skilled visas, then you will need a minimum 60 65 points to receive an invitation, but invitations are issued to the highest scoring EOIs so the qualification score may not guarantee success.
This is a statement I have had verified through official channels:
“The current qualifying point score is 60 65. If you are applying for a Skilled Independent visa, then you will need a minimum 60 65 points to do so, but invitations are issued to the highest score.
If you are applying for a Skilled Nominated visa, then you still need 60 65 points but you will be allocated the 5 ‘nomination‘ points by selecting that nominated visa sub-class so you will meet the minimum 65 points upon lodgement of the EOI.
When you apply for the state sponsorship (which must be approved by the state government or territory) you must include your EOI reference. When the state nomination is approved, the nomination points will be confirmed on the system and the invitation will be issued by Department of Home Affairs automatically.
If you are applying for a Skilled Nominated visa or Skilled Regional visa, then you must ensure that the score you will achieve, once the nomination is approved (and the points confirmed) meets at least the qualifying score of 60 65 points. Beware of (usually) age changes which may decrease your points score after lodgement of your EOI as this will mean your score will not meet the qualifying score or you will not be able to support the age points when the application is assessed.
Getting the required number of points does not guarantee you an invitation as it depends upon availability of spaces within the selected ANZSCO occupation quota (ceiling) and also how competitive your score is. Invitations are issued to those with the highest score. Once an invitation has been issued, you will then have 60 days to lodge a visa application based upon your EOI submission (amended where required).”
If you want the full details you can get them directly by visiting homeaffairs.gov.au
What if you don’t get enough points?
It’s not always over if you don’t get enough points, there’s often things you can do to improve your tally. Just about the only thing you cannot change is your age, but you could, for example, try and improve your IELTS score, wait until you have a few more years experience or maybe come here to Australia to study.
It is important to also understand that there are many visa types, including skill-based visas that are not points-based, but instead are based on employment sponsorship and also partner visas and parent visas. So if you don’t score enough points, there may be other pathways you can go down.
Want to know exactly how many points you have?
Not only exactly how many points you have, but whether you have a realistic chance of lodging a successful visa application or not. I know this process can be very confusing, I know it can be very difficult to work out how many points your qualifications are worth, how many points you might get for your work experience, whether your skill is on one of the skills lists, none of these things are straight forward.
That’s why I have a MARA registered migration agent working with me on this website who can help you, you’ll be surprised at just how much information you will receive through my…
Please DO NOT ask me to calculate your points
Update November 2013
Please read before commenting below:
Many people are asking me how many points they get for their work experience, education, qualifications and even age. This points calculator is a guide only, how many points you actually get can often take a good deal of thorough investigation.
Where did you get your qualifications? Are your qualifications recognised here? Has your work experience been relevant? Do you have any work experience in a closely related environment?
The complications are too numerous to mention.
So it is impossible for me to calculate how many points any of you might be getting no matter how much information you give me.
Up until now I have tried to answer people with these questions, if you look at the answers I have given you will see how difficult or impossible that has been.
Only the questions about age, and maybe IELTS, have straightforward answers. By the way, if you’re not sure how many points you get for your age, please see my answers to those with the same questions below.
More useful links…
All About Visas for Australian Migration
Australian Visas and Expression Of Interest (EOI): Caution!
at present situation and high demand for this occupation. you wont get invitation with 60 points. currently invitations are getting only 70 and 75 points
hi
how many points will i get under skiiled migration if iam 32 years and 10 months when iam submitting my EOI
30 points
Hi All,
What are the chances of getting EOI invitation with 60 points for 190 visa in NSW for 2613.
Hi Bob,
I have taken australian course that meet 2 years requirement but it didn’t related to my nominated occupation. Do you think I can still get a point from that?
Hello,
If your an electrician and been working in that profession for 2years in australia do you need to of been licensed in order to use this as work experience?
Thanks
well i want study masters of accounting , does this course get the PR points ?
Hi Bob,
I hope you don’t mind me contacting you with a query, just in case you’re able to help with the answer. My partner & I have been looking at options for me to apply for a skilled migration work visa, & the possibility of claiming 5 extra points for his ‘partner skills’. However, since the changes back in April/ July 2017 to reduce the applicant age limit from 50 back to 45, I’m wondering if you happen to know whether the age limit applies to the skilled partner too? I understand that the partner has to meet the same English language/ occupation list/ skills assessment requirements as the main applicant, but I can’t seem to find anything saying that the partner has to meet the same age requirements. Any info or help you’re able to give would really be very greatly appreciated.
Thanks – Jo.
Hi Jo
I did check this with my MARA agent, and he tells me he did kind of expect the partners a threshold to also reduce to 45 in line with the main applicant, but as at today’s date, the age for the spouse (for partner points) is still below 50 years in the Migration Regulations (Sch. 6D).
In other words, no official change has yet been made, but that’s not to say it won’t change in the future.
Hi Bob
Thank you for your reply, & for going to the trouble of looking into this. It’s very much appreciated.
Thanks – Jo.
How many points for acca
Hi Bob, i am currently living in a small town village in India. I am24 years old with with 14 years of experience working in a coal mine. I am fit and strong, and seeking an opportunity to make big bucks in a country that can offer more for my hard labour, i work voluntarily as a teacher for a public school.
I am looking forward to a reply from you.
Kind Regards
Jatin Khujlana
My dear Bob
plz tell at what points i will get immigration of civil engineer technician 312212,
Can we apply for assesment in
one another proffesion, after getting in one
plz tell
Hi, So far i think i have 75 points from what i have calculated and also will apply for PhD here in Australia. I am here in Australia with my family on student visa.
Hi, This is Mahesh,i am having 13 years of IT experience, age=34 years and holding Bachelor degree in CSC, Diploma in Computers and got over all 62 in PTE-A (R-61,l-64,W-65,S-58),can you please help me how to proceed, I am eligible for state nomination (55+5)?
Hi, I’m a 49yo, registered nurse, finished 3yr bachelor of nursing in one of the universities in Australia, currently connected with an Agency working in different hospitals, I already have a total of 5yrs working experience. What are my chances of applying for PR independently. Thanks
Australia does not consider old people above 45 years old for skill migration from this month
M A Khan
and we have 3 kids so pls let me know how can we apply for australia
thanks , mr. bob
M A Khan,
hi i would like to know my wife has done MBA in HR in india so now we want to move to australia for her further study and i will work and support to my wife so is ther any way that we can move to australia pls reply me, thanks..
Hi Bob
First of all really appreciate you to help everyone out with all the queries i just want to know my sister is a PR and her husband is an australian citizen and i m 35 and i want to move to australia.So what should i do in order to move to australia.
Thanks
i got 60 point please let me know the process
Hi Bob,
First of all – let me thank you for your valuable suggestions. I have got more useful information by going through this blog. I have a query here. Please answer and help me. My DOB is 10-Dec-1977. That means now I am 39yrs 6 months old. So will I get 25 points or 15 points ? I am in big confusion here. please answer and help me.
You are 39, so you will get 25 points.
Thank you Bob. I thought that i would get only 15 points as i completed 39 years.
Hi thanks for the post,
I have several trade qualifications. Do you get the points for each qualification or just the 10 points no matter how many you have?
Hi Mr Bob
For points on qualification, will I earn 15 points for Bachelor degree and another 10 for successful skill accredition for manager and will i earn 15 or 25 points for qualification?
hi I am studying master of engineering from edith cowan university perth. I recently came to know that my stream, which is ECE will be removed from SOL list, what can I do now? also my sister is a PR, will this help. I hav got 7.5 in IELTS.
what score do i need to migrate as a doctor
Marriage with me
You smooth talker you 🙂
Hi, I got IELTS general training scores of:
Listening: 8.0
Writing: 8.0
Speaking: 8.0
Reading: 6.0
Overall score was 7.5.
How many points do i get for English language?
0.
To find out why, carefully read the explanation in the above article.
How many chances do you have for this test?
You can take the English language tests as many times as you like, there is no limit as far as I’m aware.
10points
No, it is still 0. As I’ve said, you need to read the explanation in the above article very carefully, I’m talking about the bit where it says ‘to be proficient, you need to score at least 7 for each part…’
In one of the parts above, Ian has scored a 6.0, therefore he is just competent, which is = 0.
I can understand the confusion, as I believe this is unique, this is the way the Australian government interpret it, not IELTS who use a different method to assess your overall score.
The irony… someone got 6 in ielts and could not grasp the explanation in the article that lowest score in any of the 4 categories will determine your score…
In fairness, I do understand the confusion by so many with this though. The usual way is to take an average of the four results and that is your final score, according to IELTS themselves. Crikey, I think they even roundup, so if your average is 6.75, they will call it a 7.
It is the Australian government who have chosen to use the method of the lowest score in each of the four categories to be your overall score. I suppose it is up to them to decide how to interpret these results for immigration purposes, but I can also see why so many people have a problem with this.
Yes
I am planning to miggrate to austraia as PR , so I would like to know the procedure what to follow.
hello
I will be studying masters in project management from bond university(GC-brisbane).This course is not in SOL list but my previous degree is b.tech in mechanical engineering which is in SOL list.
so do i able to apply for PR in Australia after completing my masters or not?
Do i got any ponts for my previous course?
thank you
Anyone need assessment free or any details let me know I can help u out guys
Fahad, it’s really good that you to want to help people with this process, but please offer all of your help online in the comments rather than by private email. That way anyone reading the comments can benefit from your advice as well as the person you are helping.
I have removed all references to your personal email address from other posts you have made here, it’s never a good idea to publish your email address particularly in that manner anyway.
Many thanks, Bob
I need help for Assessment. I did masters of professional Accounting.
Hi,
I am newly qualified adult nurse (uk) working for the last three months…..what is the minimum time i have to work as a RN to apply for a 189 visa?? Also will an IELTS completed in UK be recognised in Australia?? Thanks in advance
Hi Nicola
A lot of the questions in here (this page) dont get answered as they are VISA related and its supposed to be (read in orange box above) a MARA agent that answers them..plus they are too complicated…In trying to help here I have no idea how much working experience is needed, it may even be you are skills assessed. You appear to be at the very very start of this process from your questions.
A 189 visa may not also be your only option though its one of the best…
My suggestion would be speak to a MARA agent or two who will advise A the process and B the work experience expectation…I think I read somewhere there may even be a graduate visa but as there are so many I may struggle to find it.
Getting a 189 I think is mostly about acquiring 60 points.. and yes Ielts in UK counts towards those points or rather can count if needed but have a look at the Pearson’s test as well, you can read on here about it. However your first port of call is I think speak with a MARA and see if you have whats needed.
Is the volunteer work in area such as charity or organisations like that one has points are included, when you apply for PR or not? Some of my friend told me about this one so that’s why I asked. Can any one clear it plz??
Hi,
I have my ielts score march2017 L7, W7, R6, S7,
I am an electrical engineer with 15+ years experience. I would like to file for PR under skilled migration 190. Is it possible?
I have completed 10th and after that Diploma in Tool & die making 3 years +1year apprentice in India. After that I did a Post Diploma in CAD CAM Design for 1 year. I want to apply for Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson 312511. I came to know that 12 years of schooling is compulsory to choose the Draftsperson skill. As I have 10 years of schooling please advice me how to proceed as my experience is in Mechanical Designing for 8 years.
Hiii i am bindia ..i am 27 years old …i have done my graduation in bsc fashion textile designing from infid instutite ……(annmalai university) …and i do have exprience of 5 to 6 years In my same relavant field …..and as i can see this ocupation list is under csol list…so please do let me confirm that is pte acadimic …acceptable by australian government for PR….and what will be the process for further assistance.. and what are the eligibilty ??????
Mail me at email removed by admin
I will explain u all process
Hi,
Man, thank you so much for your blog!
I was looking for information to get a skilled visa and you helped me a lot.
I’m currently studying as a pastry chef in Australia, but after my studies I would to apply for a skilled visa.
BUT in the skilled visa they talk about Chef *** (*** no fast food) and on the consolidated one they talk about pastry cook.
So, as a pastry chef, do I am on the skilled visa list or the consolidated skilled visa?
Is PTE(Pearson test of English) is valid instead of IELTS?
Thanks
Please read the update at the foot of my page about How to Pass IELTS. Cheers, Bob
Regarding the tests clarification, please visit the official website of Australian Govt.
https://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Form/Immi-FAQs/aelt
They do accept the following English language tests:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English).
Yeah ofcourse
Hi…im mustufa im 10 pass and i have done welder iti 1.5 year and 1 year apprentice ship and i have 7 year exp…and im not give.ielts exam .and i m interested to put file Australia pr…..so wht i do i have dream Australia. …
Hi, my brother applied For PR of Australia. He gave ielts and other PPE exam also many times but didn’t score as required. He has been to Australia for giving interviews but companies are saying without PR we won’t entertain you. He applied for a exam many many times. He couldn’t make it. Please advise the best possible solution.
Hi mate,
Are u writing ielts in India. Mail me I have some options for u.
Hi kartik pl tell me how to increase scores in ielts or pte
Hi Mate, May I have your mail address please ?
Kartik, if you can help people with IELTS, please do so online rather than in a private email as that way everyone gets help who reads it. I would appreciate it if you don’t reply by posting your email address online, it’s never a good idea to do that.
hi
plz help
Hi,
My husband (US citizen)and I (Chinese citizen, US permanent resident) are looking at options to move to Australia. We are 28 and 30, both have about 5 years of professional work experience, he has a bachelor’s degree and I am finishing up my Ph.D. within the year. We want to use a MARA agent to help us with the move, but feel unsure about the employment situation once we move. Ideally, we’d like to have jobs lined up before moving, is that something a professional consultant can help us with?
Thank you for your reply!
Yes of course they would however you’d be quite capable of it yourselves…I agree the MARA agent makes sense but finding a job using a job agent ???…You may put off prospective employers if they find a fee involved and likely there will be. Get your résumé CV changed to Aussie style and apply for jobs yourself, many have done so many been successful using skype interviews.
As Mark has said, a MARA agent will help you with the visa, but you would need a recruitment agent to help you find a job. Personally I don’t think anybody can really help someone else get a job, and anybody suggesting that they can is probably just after your money.
At the end of the day, it’s you that has to go to the interview and impress the employer, nobody else can do that for you. My page Getting a Job or a Sponsorship might help you further.
Hello,
I am a civil engineer. I have 13. 8 year experience in construction. Mu qualification is 3 year diploma in civil engineering. I am looking for Australia PR.
BR/-
Gurpreet Singh
7087423014
Hi There,
It would be also nice if you could add dates underneath each post – when the content has been updated. The issue here is that Visa Requirements change so often that it’s hard to distinguish whether your info is valid or if it needs to be double checked 🙂 🙂
Nice blog though! 🙂
All of Best
Well, being as you asked, I have pages AND posts, the posts are all dated, the pages are not. However, I do update the pages if I notice that anything is out of date. The posts are also sometimes updated, but they are more like a diary thing, a true blog.
This page, the points calculation, is up-to-date and still valid.
hi
can i apply for any visa ? i worried about my age . 43 years old . i want to move to Austrilla with my family .Please reply me . thanks .
Hi,
My husband is applying for Australian PR, he is from Mechanical background so he didn’t score much from ECS and now he gave PTE but he is not confident in that also.
What we can do to get the remaining points, if he didn’t score the points needed from PTE.
Please advice.
Hi there,
If u writing English exam in India we can help just msg me @ kartikshiv6@gmail.com
Would like to apply for Australian PR. Currently working in Bangalore as S/W architect. In past I was working in US on a H1B visa for more than 4 years.
Hello. I am 31 years old. My total working experience is 7 years. And I want to go Australia for PR visa. So, how many ielts band require for me? Pls suggest me? And can I get it PR visa in Australia?
The information on the following page of the ‘Australian Government Depeartment of Immigration & Protection’ website will hopefully help to answer your question (I beileve there is also clear information about this available to read on the BobInOz website too, which will hopefully help you to easily find much of the information you require):
https://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Form/Immi-FAQs/how-can-i-prove-i-have-competent-english
Hi bro its must to take ielts with min score 6 in all modules either in General or Academic
HI,
My query is i have 9 years exp telecom and my qualification computer science different from My job profile
can i loose any points
Hey admin.. I have gained 70 points according to my assessment… so let me inform what will be next procedure.
Regards..
Hey do you know how many marks need to get pr for doing accounting?
Hi
I have graduated from Uk(MSc), so my query is Do I get extra point for this while my skilled assessment process?
Halo
I got ielts test results :
listening 6.0
writing 5.5
reading 6.0
speaking 6.5
Can I apply for 489 skilled visa ?
Sorry Daniel, you need to have achieved at least Competent English (band score 6.0) in all four test. You will need to retake IELTS. Good luck!
Hi. I would like to know if a dependant(brother) who is aged 28years can qualify to be a dependant on me.
HI,
I claim 55 point in Australian migration due to the age(30), English competence(10) , and the qualification(5), and i have never been in Australia before, i need further 5 points somehow, but unfortunately i dont have sufficient work experience to apply for a nomination , and i am also not ready to set to NAATI exam because it`s difficult for me , by the way my brother lives in Perth now , could you help me and advise me about how can i get extra 5 points according to my case
many thanks in advance
that’s only 45 points, you can aim for higher English points, that would give a total of 55, if your brother is PR or citizen he can gain you the rest of the points providing you live in the same state (I think)
I got 60 points please let me know the process
please update me about this site
Mail me at email removed by admin
I will explain u all process