Australian Immigration Point System
Point System for Australia
1) Age
You must be under 45 years of age on the day of making your application.
Points awarded
Your eligibility for points is determined by your age on the day of making your application.
| Age | Points |
| 18 to 29 years | 30 |
| 30 to 34 years | 25 |
| 35 to 39 years | 20 |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 |
2) English Language
English levels
The following table shows the English language levels and the evidence you will need to provide.
| Level of English | Points | Evidence required |
| Proficient | 25 points | You must provide one of the following:
|
| Competent | 15 points | You must provide one of the following:
|
3) Skills Occupation
Points awarded
You will only be awarded points for your nominated occupation if you meet the following:
- the occupation you nominate is on the SOL current at the time you make your application
- the relevant Australian assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation determines that your skills are suitable for that occupation.
A complete list of the points awarded for each occupation is available on the SOL.
See: Skilled Occupation Lists (formerly known as Form 1121i)
Points are awarded according to the skill category of your occupation. A general overview of these categories is provided below.
| Skill | Points | Requirements |
| For most occupations where training is specific to the occupation | 60 | In most cases you will have a qualification (such as a degree or trade qualification) and experience which meets the relevant Australian standards. In some cases, experience without formal qualifications may be acceptable. |
| For more general professional occupations | 50 | You must have a qualification equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree or higher qualification. |
| For other general skilled occupations | 40 | You must have a qualification equivalent to an Australian diploma or advanced diploma. |
4) State Sponsorship
You must have a nomination from a participating state or territory government if you do not have an eligible relative sponsor.
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available under this part of the points test.
| Nomination | Points |
| If you are nominated by a State or Territory government agency for the purposes of your application for this visa | 10 |
5) Specific work experience
You will be awarded points if you have been employed for three (3) of the last four (4) years in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
You must have been employed:
- for at least 20 hours a week
- in a paid position
- at a skilled level in your nominated occupation or in a closely related occupation on the SOL.
Note: If you are using work experience obtained in Australia to meet this requirement, that work must have been undertaken while you were the holder of a visa authorising you to work.
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available under this part of the points test.
| Occupation / work experience | Points |
If your nominated occupation is:
|
10 |
If your nominated occupation is:
|
5 |
6) Australian work experience
You are eligible to be awarded Australian work experience points if you have been employed in Australia:
- in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
- while holding a visa that allows you to work (this must be a substantive visa or a Bridging A or B visa with work rights)
- for at least 20 hours a week
- in a paid position
- at a skilled level acquired after gaining your qualifications in your nominated occupation or in a closely related occupation on the SOL
- for a period(s) totalling at least one year in the four years immediately before the day you lodge your application.
You can also be awarded these points if you have completed a recognised Professional Year in Australia.
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available under this part of the points test.
| Australian work experience | Points |
| Employed in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in Australia for at least one year in the past four years immediately before the day of your application. | 10 |
| Completed a recognised Professional Year in Australia in the past two years immediately before the day of your application. | 10 |
7) Australian qualifications
You can be awarded points for an Australian qualification if:
- you have completed one of the Australian qualifications listed below while present in Australia
- all instruction was in English.
Points awarded
You may receive points for satisfying one of the Australian qualifications criteria shown in the table below. You can only be allocated points against one of these categories.
| Qualification | Points |
You have met the requirements for award of a doctorate by an Australian educational institution as a result of course study:
|
25 |
You have undertaken study for a period totalling at least three (3) years, during which you:
o of at least one (1) year o undertaken while you were present in Australia. and
o of at least one (1) year o undertaken while you were present in Australia. |
15 |
You have undertaken study for a period totalling at least three (3) years, during which you:
o of at least one (1) year o undertaken while you were present in Australia. and
o of at least one (1) year o undertaken while you were present in Australia. |
15 |
You have met the requirements for award of an undergraduate degree with honours (second class (division 1) level or above) by an Australian educational institution as a result of course study:
|
15 |
| You have met the Australian study requirement. | 5 |
(8) Community Language
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available under this part of the points test.
| Bonus points options | Points |
| Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages as evidenced by a qualification (of equivalent standard to an Australian degree) gained from a university where instruction was in one of the above listed languages or be accredited with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the professional level (translator/interpreter level). |
5 |
9) Regional Australia study
You can be awarded points if you have met the Australian study requirement while living and studying in a ‘regional Australia low population growth metropolitan area’ in Australia.
What is ‘Regional Australia’ or a ‘low population growth metropolitan area’?
‘Regional Australia’ or a ‘low population growth metropolitan area’ means anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the New South Wales Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
A list of residential areas that are defined under law as being in ‘Regional Australia’ or a ‘low population growth metropolitan area’ is available. The list describes eligible areas by postcode.
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available.
| Study in Regional Australia/ low population growth metropolitan area | Points |
| You have met the Australian study requirement while living and studying in a ‘Regional Australia/low population growth metropolitan area’ in Australia. | 5 |
10) Partner skills
You can claim ‘partner skills’ points if your partner is also able to satisfy the basic requirements of age, English language ability, qualifications, nominated occupation and recent work experience, and if they have obtained a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Important: You cannot claim ‘partner skills’ points if your partner is an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen or if they are not included in your visa application.
Points awarded
The table below sets out the points available under this part of the points test.
| Partner skills | Points |
If your partner is able to satisfy the basic requirements of:
|
5 |
