The Australian Skilled Migration Points Test

AIS Immigration Solutions assists people in obtaining visas to migrate to Australia for work and study. The migration points test applies to a number of different skilled visas including the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489).

The migration points test is a points-based system – you will require a minimum score of 65 points, however the higher your points score is, the more likely you will be invited to apply for a visa. At the time that you are invited to apply for your visa, you must be able to show your Migration Points Test score as specified in your expression of interest.

AIS Immigration Solutions can assist you with your visa applications and can help you understand your requirements – get in touch with us on +61 7 3216 0052 or book a Skype meeting to discuss the migration points test in more detail.

Skilled Migration Points Test:

Points for the Skilled Migration Points Test are awarded based on the criteria listed below:

Age:

At the time of being invited to apply for a subclass 189, 190 or 489 visa, you must be under the age of 50.

AGE	POINTS
18-24 years old	25 points
25-32 years old	30 points
33-39 years old	25 points
40-44 years old	15 points
45-49 years old	Not eligible to apply from 1 July 2017

English Language Skills:

You must undertake an English test exam at some point in the three years prior to being invited to apply for your visa. You must achieve at least competent English in order to apply for a subclass 189, 190 or 489 visa, but additional points will be given for higher scores:

ENGLISH SKILL	POINTS
Superior English (for example, a score of 8 on each of the four components of a general format IELTS test or equivalent)	20 points
Proficient English (for example, a score of 7 on each of the four components of a general format IELTS test, or equivalent)	10 points
Competent English (for example, a score of 6 on each of the four components of a general format IELTS test, or equivalent)	NIL

Overseas Employment:

In the 10 years before you are invited to apply for your visa, you have been employed outside of Australia in your nominated skilled profession or a closely related skilled occupation for:

OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT	POINTS
36-59 months (3-5 years)	5 points
60-95 months (5-8 years_	10 points
At least 96 months (more than 8 years)	15 points

Australian Employment:

In the 10 years prior to being invited to apply for your visa, you have been employed within Australia for your nominated skilled profession or a closely related skilled occupation for:

AUSTRALIAN EMPLOYMENT	POINTS
12-35 months (1-3 years)	5 points
36-59 months (3-5 years)	10 points
60-95 months (5-8 years_	15 points
At least 96 months (more than 8 years)	20 points

Qualifications:

At the time of applying for your visa, you have completed a formal qualification including:

A Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other Bachelor degree of a recognised standard20 points

QUALIFICATIONS	POINTS
At least a Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or other Bachelor degree of a recognised standard	15 points
A Diploma qualification from an Australian educational institution	10 points
A trade qualification from an Australian educational institution	10 points
An award qualification recognised by the relevant assessing authority in the assessment of your nominated skilled occupation	10 points

Other Factors:

There are a number of additional factors that may award you additional points towards the Skilled Migration Points Test including:

FACTOR	POINTS
Australian Study Requirement: At the time of being invited to apply for the visa, you have been awarded at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification by an Australian educational institution and meet the Australian study requirement.	5 points
Regional Study: At the time of being invited to apply for the visa, you met the Australian study requirement and lived and studied in regional Australia or a low population-growth metropolitan area (distance education excluded) while completing the Australian study requirement.	5 points
Professional Year: In the four years before you were invited to apply for the visa, you completed a professional year course in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation. Professional year courses are offered by: Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia, Institute of Public Accountants, Engineers Australia.	5 points
Community Language: At the time of being invited to apply for the visa, you are accredited by NAATI as a translator or interpreter of a community language at the paraprofessional level or above.	5 points
Partner Skills: Your partner, who is being included in your application, is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, is under 50 years old at the time you are invited to apply for your visa, has a skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled list as your nominated occupation at the time you are invited to apply for the visa and has at least competent English obtained in the three years before you are invited to apply for the visa.	5 points
Subclass 190 visa only: Nominated by State or Territory Government	5 points
Subclass 489 visa only: Nominated by State or Territory Government or sponsorship by an eligible family member.	10 points

The information on this page was correct that time of writing, however Australian immigration law is complex and the regulations and procedures change regularly. While we attempt to keep the information relating to the Skilled Migration Points Test as up to date as possible, we recommend that you get in touch with us to confirm the latest requirements and to consult with one of our professional migration agents regarding skilled migration visas.