Australia's points-based skilled migration visa program is the main pathway to permanent residence for people without an employer sponsor or an Australian partner. Three subclasses operate under this framework:
| Visa | Type | Points bonus | Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Permanent | None | None |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Permanent | +5 points | Live & work in nominating state for 2 years |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Provisional (5 yr) | +15 points | Regional area, 3 years before PR via 191 |
How the Points Test Works
Points are awarded for age, English proficiency, work experience, qualifications, and several other factors. The minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points — but whether 65 is enough to receive an invitation depends entirely on how competitive your occupation is. A well-prepared skilled migration visa application can significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
| Factor | Points (max) |
|---|---|
| Age — 25 to 32 years | 30 |
| English — Superior (IELTS 8.0 each band) | 20 |
| Australian skilled employment — 8+ years | 20 |
| Overseas skilled employment — 8+ years | 15 |
| Educational qualification — Doctorate | 20 |
| Australian study requirement (2 years) | 5 |
| Specialist education (STEM Masters/PhD) | 10 |
| Credentialled community language | 5 |
| Partner skills | 10 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| State/territory nomination — 190 | 5 |
| Regional nomination — 491 | 15 |
South Australia Nomination — 190 and 491
South Australia nominates skilled workers through the SA Skilled and Business Migration program. Nomination criteria change regularly — the state targets occupations with documented shortages in the SA labour market. Many occupations require a job offer in South Australia or a connection to the state.
We monitor SA nomination criteria and advise on whether nomination is a realistic option for your occupation at the time you're applying.
Skills Assessment
Every applicant needs a skills assessment from the authority relevant to their occupation — Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ANMAC, ACS, and so on. Each authority has different requirements, processing times, and evidence standards. The skills assessment must be current when you lodge your visa application.
We advise on which assessing authority applies to your occupation, review your evidence before you apply for skills assessment, and coordinate the assessment timing with your overall application strategy.
SkillSelect and Invitation Rounds
Invitations are issued monthly from SkillSelect. The cut-off score in each round depends on how many people in your occupation have submitted EOIs and how many places are available. In competitive occupations — particularly IT, nursing, and some engineering fields — cut-offs regularly sit at 85–95 points. In less competitive occupations, 65 may be enough.
491 to Permanent Residence
After holding the 491 for three years and meeting an income threshold while living in a regional area, you can apply for the permanent Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 191). We plan this pathway from the start of the 491 so you're in the right position when the time comes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you submit your EOI, be careful about which points you claim — you'll need to back up every single one with evidence when you actually apply for the visa. If you can't prove a claim, you risk having your visa refused. This is why it really pays to get professional advice before you lodge, so you know exactly what you can and can't claim.
For example: Professional Year points only count if your PY is in your nominated occupation, or at least closely related to it. If it's in a completely different field, those points won't fly.
It depends on which bridging visa you're on:
- BVA or BVB (with work rights): Australian work experience gained while holding these visas can generally be claimed for points purposes.
- BVC: Australian work experience gained while holding a BVC cannot be claimed for points, even if the visa includes work rights.
A few traps to watch for:
- You can't claim points for something before you've actually met the requirement — for instance, claiming qualification points before you've actually finished the qualification.
- As mentioned above, certain points (like work experience) can't be claimed while you're on a BVC.
To claim these, you need to have completed at least 92 weeks of study in a regional area. Two things can trip you up here:
- If you received credit for prior study that shortened your course duration, you might not meet the 92-week threshold.
- If your course was done online or via distance learning, it generally won't qualify.