Skilled Migration Points System
Points Breakdown:
|
Category |
Points Allocation |
|
Age (Years) |
|
|
18-24 |
25 |
|
25-32 |
30 |
|
33-39 |
25 |
|
40-44 |
15 |
|
English Proficiency |
(Test results must be within three years of visa application submission) |
|
IELTS 6.0 in each component / Equivalent TOEFL, PTE, CAE, OET Scores |
0 |
|
IELTS 7.0 in each component / Equivalent TOEFL, PTE, CAE, OET Scores |
10 |
|
IELTS 8.0 in each component / Equivalent TOEFL, PTE, CAE, OET Scores |
20 |
|
Overseas Work Experience (Relevant to nominated occupation within the last 10 years) |
|
|
3-4 years |
5 |
|
5-7 years |
10 |
|
8-10 years |
15 |
|
Australian Work Experience (Relevant to nominated occupation within the last 10 years) |
|
|
1-2 years |
5 |
|
3-4 years |
10 |
|
5-7 years |
15 |
|
8-10 years |
20 |
|
Education Qualifications |
|
|
Doctorate |
20 |
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
15 |
|
Recognized Diploma or Trade Qualification |
10 |
|
Australian Study Requirement (At least two years of full-time study in Australia) |
5 |
|
Study in a Regional Area (Lived and studied in a designated regional area for at least two years) |
5 |
|
STEM Qualification (Research-based Master’s or Doctorate in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) |
10 |
|
Professional Year in Australia (Related to the nominated occupation, minimum 10 months, includes internship) |
5 |
|
Credentialed Community Language (NAATI CCL, Certified Translator, or Interpreter Qualification) |
5 |
|
Partner or Single Applicant Points |
|
|
Single Applicant |
10 |
|
Partner under 45, with a positive skills assessment, and English proficiency |
10 |
|
Partner under 45, Australian PR or Citizen |
10 |
|
Partner with competent English only |
5 |
|
State or Regional Sponsorship |
|
|
State Nomination (190 Visa) |
5 |
|
Regional Sponsorship (491 Visa) |
15 |
Detailed Explanation:
1. Age Requirement
o The highest points (30) are awarded for ages 25-32.
o Age is assessed at the time of receiving an invitation (not at the time of submitting the EOI).
2. English Language Proficiency
o Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, and OET.
o PTE is widely preferred due to fast results and test-taking flexibility.
o The test results must be valid when submitting the visa application.
3. Work Experience (Relevant to the Nominated Occupation)
o Both overseas and Australian work experience count but cannot exceed 20 points in total.
o Must be post-qualification and at least 20 hours per week.
o Salaries must meet industry standards.
o Experience must be within the past 10 years.
o Some professions require additional assessment for work experience eligibility.
4. Education Qualification
o Must be recognized as equivalent to Australian qualifications.
o Only the highest qualification will be considered for points (no stacking).
5. Australian Study Requirement
o Requires at least two academic years (92 weeks) and a minimum duration of 16 months.
o Must be based on CRICOS-registered courses.
o Exemptions granted for prior studies do not affect eligibility as long as 16 months are completed.
6. STEM Qualification
o Recognized for research-based Master’s or Doctorate degrees.
o Must be in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics fields.
7. Study in a Regional Area
o Requires two years of study and residence in designated regional areas.
o Proof such as rental agreements or utility bills may be required.
o Eligible regions:
§ ACT: All areas
§ NSW: Excluding Sydney
§ VIC: Excluding Melbourne
§ QLD: Excluding Brisbane
§ WA, NT, SA, TAS: Entire state
8. Credentialed Community Language (NAATI Certification)
o Earned through NAATI certification as a translator or interpreter.
o CCL (Credentialed Community Language Test) provides 5 points without work rights.
9. Professional Year in Australia
o Includes training and internship for IT, Engineering, and Accounting professionals.
o Requires a Graduate Visa for participation.
o Must be completed within four years before receiving an invitation.
10. EOI Selection Process (SkillSelect)
· Candidates are invited based on occupation demand, points score, and EOI submission date.
· EOI validity is two years, but updates reset the queue priority.
11. State and Regional Sponsorship
· State sponsorship (190 Visa) provides 5 additional points.
· Regional sponsorship (491 Visa) offers 15 points.
· Some occupations only receive invitations through state nomination due to high independent visa requirements.
Conclusion: Understanding the skilled migration points system is crucial for maximizing your eligibility. Candidates should strategically improve their scores by focusing on age, English proficiency, work experience, and education. Additionally, exploring regional study options, community language certifications, and state sponsorship can significantly enhance their chances of receiving an invitation.