Points Test

If you apply to migrate to Australia under the Skilled–Australian Sponsored category or the Skilled–Independent category, you will be assessed against a points test.

Points are awarded for skill, age, English language ability, specific work experience, occupation in demand (and job offer), Australian qualifications, regional Australia, spouse skills and relationship (for Skilled–Australian sponsored only).

Bonus points can be awarded for one only of the following:

capital investment in Australia;
Australian skilled work experience; or
fluency in one of Australia's major community languages, other than English.

Pool and Pass Mark

You must score sufficient points to reach the pass mark. If your score below the pass mark but equal to or above the pool mark, your application will be held in reserve (in the pool) for up to 2 years after assessment.

If the pass mark is lowered at any time in that 2 year period, and your score is equal to or higher than the new pass mark, your application will be processed further. If not, your application would be refused at the end of the 2 year period.

The current pass marks and pool marks are:

Category	Pass Mark	Pool Mark
Skilled–Independent	120	70
Skilled–Australian sponsored	110	105
Skilled–Independent Overseas Student	120	120
Skilled–Australian sponsored Overseas Student	110	110
Skilled–Onshore Independent New Zealand citizen	120	120
Skilled–Onshore Australian sponsored New Zealand citizen	110	110

Estimating your points score

This information may help you estimate your points score. However, it is essential to read Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration, for more detailed information.

Points for skill

The occupation you nominate must be on form 1121i, Skilled Occupations List (SOL), current at the time of application, and should be one which fits your skills and qualifications.

You receive the points allocated for your nominated occupation after the relevant assessment authority for your nominated skilled occupation determines that your skills are suitable.

Skill	Points
For most occupations where training is specific to the occupation	60
For more general professional occupations	50
For other general skilled occupations	40

Points for age

Points are allocated for your age at the time of application.

Age	Points
18 to 29 years	30
30 to 34 years	25
35 to 39 years	20
40 to 44 years	15

Points for English language ability

English language ability	Points
Competent English - a generally effective command of the language, and the ability to use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.	20
Vocational English - a reasonable command of the English language, coping with overall meaning in most situations and the ability to communicate effectively in nominated field of employment.	15

Points for specific work experience

Work Experience	Points
If your nominated occupation is worth 60 points under Skill, and you have worked in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, for at least 3 of the 4 years immediately before you apply	10
If your nominated occupation is worth 40, 50 or 60 points under Skill, and you have worked in any occupation on the Skilled Occupations List for at least 3 or the 4 years immediately before you apply	5

Points for occupation in demand/job offer

A number of occupations/specialisations have been identified as being in demand in Australia. They are listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

You may receive points if your nominated occupation is on the MODL that is current at the time your application is assessed.

For occupation in demand, with job offer	15
For occupation in demand, but no job offer	10

Points for Australian qualifications

Applicants with Australian qualifications have a greater chance of employment in Australia.

Points may be awarded for only one of the following Australian qualifications completed whilst present in Australia and where all the instruction was in English:

Qualification	Points
You have completed an Australian doctorate at an Australian educational institution after a period of at least 2 years full time (2 academic years) while in Australia	15
You have completed an Australian Masters or Honours degree (at least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution while in Australia, and prior to completing the Masters or Honours degree, you were awarded an Australian bachelor degree as a result of at least 1 year full time study while in Australia. The total period of full time study in Australia was at least 2 years (2 academic years)	10
You have completed full time study in Australia for a total of at least 2 years (2 academic years) towards the award of a degree, diploma or trade qualification	5

Points for regional Australia/low population growth metropolitan areas

Applicants who can claim points for Australian qualifications may also be eligible to claim points for having lived and studied for at least 2 years in regional Australia or low population growth metropolitan areas.

Having lived and studied for at least 2 years in one or more areas in regional Australia or low population growth metropolitan areas

5 points

The following areas meet one or other of the definitions:

all of NSW is included except for Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong;
all of Victoria is included, except for Melbourne;
all of Queensland is included, except for Brisbane and the Gold Coast;
all of Western Australia, except for Perth;
in South Australia, Adelaide is included due to its low population growth rate being less than 50 per cent of the national average. The rest of South Australia is also included;
all of Tasmania is included;
all of the Northern Territory is included, and
note: no area in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is included

See regional Australia for the list of the postcodes of areas gazetted as regional Australia or low population growth metropolitan areas.

See campuses for the list of the campuses gazetted as being in regional Australia or low population growth metropolitan areas.

Points for spouse skills

Points may be awarded if your spouse if they are also able to satisfy the basic requirements of age, English language ability, qualifications, nominated occupation and recent work experience and has obtained a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation.

Spouse skills

5 points

Bonus points

Points may be awarded for one only of the following:

Capital investment in Australia (a minimum of A$100,000); or

Australian work experience (an applicant must have legally worked in Australia in any occupation on the Skilled Occupations List for at least 6 months in the 4 years before lodging an application); or

Fluency in one of Australia's community languages (other than English) (see Booklet 6 for details)

5 points

Points for relationship (for applicants for the Skilled–Australian sponsored category only)

Points for relationship may be awarded if an applicant or their spouse has a relative who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, and who is willing to sponsor them.

The applicant or their spouse must be related to the sponsor as either a non-dependent child, a parent, a brother or sister, or a niece or nephew.

Relationship

15 points