Australia PR Points Calculator
Estimate your skilled migration points eligibility for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas instantly with our zero-latency calculator.
1Criteria & Eligibility Factors
Department of Home Affairs Schedule 6D points test
Must be achieved within the 3 years immediately before invitation date.
Skilled Employment Experience (Past 10 Years)
Combined Cap: 20 pts MaxSpecialist & Community Bonus PointsOptional multipliers
Master's by research or PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) / ICT completed in Australia (min 2 academic years).
Completed at least 1 degree, diploma, or trade qualification CRICOS-registered taking at least 2 academic years in Australia.
Accredited at paraprofessional level or higher, or passed the online NAATI CCL exam.
Met the Australian study requirement while living and studying in a designated regional area (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane).
Completed an approved 44-week Professional Year in Accounting, Engineering, or ICT within the 4 years before invitation.
Compare Australian Skilled Visas: Subclass 189 vs 190 vs 491
Depending on your calculated points and your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation Lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL), you may lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for one or more points-tested visa streams administered through SkillSelect.
| Feature | Subclass 189 (Independent) | Subclass 190 (Nominated) | Subclass 491 (Regional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Type & Status | Direct Permanent Residency (PR) | Direct Permanent Residency (PR) | 5-Year Provisional (Direct pathway to PR via Subclass 191) |
| Nomination Bonus Points | 0 Points | +5 Points | +15 Points |
| Sponsorship Requirement | None (Purely points & occupation rank) | State or Territory Government nomination | State Government OR eligible relative in designated regional area |
| Geographic Freedom | Anywhere in Australia from day one | 2-year commitment to live/work in nominating state | Must live & work in Designated Regional Areas (outside Sydney/Melb/Bris) |
| Eligible Occupation Lists | MLTSSL only | MLTSSL & STSOL (Jurisdiction specific) | MLTSSL, STSOL & Regional List (ROL) |
| Dedicated Subclass Guide | View 189 Calculator & Guide → | View 190 Calculator & Guide → | View 491 Calculator & Guide → |
Schedule 6D Points Allocation Guide (Home Affairs Criteria)
Points are awarded according to Schedule 6D of the Migration Regulations 1994. Every claimed point must be substantiated with documentary proof as of the invitation date:
| Category | Criteria & Specification | Points Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 24 years | 25 |
| 25 to 32 years (Prime demographic bracket) | 30 | |
| 33 to 39 years | 25 | |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 | |
| 45 years and over (Statutory cutoff for GSM) | 0 (Ineligible) | |
| English Language Ability | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50 / CELPIP 7 each band) | 0 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65 / CELPIP 8 each band) | 10 | |
| Superior English (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79 / CELPIP 9 each band) | 20 | |
| Overseas Employment (Past 10 Years) | Less than 3 years in nominated or closely related role | 0 |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 | |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 | |
| 8 or more years | 15 | |
| Australian Employment (Past 10 Years) | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 to 2 years | 5 | |
| 3 to 4 years | 10 | |
| 5 to 7 years | 15 | |
| 8 or more years (Combined overseas + AU work cap: 20 points max) | 20 | |
| Educational Qualifications | Doctorate (PhD) from Australian or recognized overseas institution | 20 |
| Bachelor or Master degree from AU or recognized overseas institution | 15 | |
| Diploma or Trade Qualification, or recognized assessing award | 10 | |
| Partner Skills | Single applicant OR spouse/partner is Australian Citizen / PR | 10 |
| Partner under 45 with Competent English & positive skills assessment | 10 | |
| Partner has Competent English only (No skills assessment) | 5 | |
| Specialist & Community Bonuses | Specialist STEM Qualification (Master by research or PhD in AU) | 10 |
| Australian Study Requirement (Min 2 academic years CRICOS) | 5 | |
| Study in Regional Australia (Lived and studied in designated region) | 5 | |
| Credentialled Community Language (NAATI CCL Certified) | 5 | |
| Professional Year in Australia (IT, Accounting, Engineering) | 5 |
How to Claim Maximum Points for GSM 2026
Achieving a competitive points score under Australia's SkillSelect points test requires deliberate timing, strategic test selection, and proactive evidence gathering. Follow this 5-stage blueprint:
Secure a Positive Skills Assessment Early
The non-negotiable foundation of every GSM application
Before calculating points or lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI), you must possess a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the official Australian assessing authority. Different assessing bodies apply distinct assessment criteria:
- ACS (Australian Computer Society): Assesses IT occupations. Note that ACS frequently deducts 2 to 4 years of pre-qualification or overseas experience as the “skill requirement met date”. Only post-deduction employment can be claimed for points.
- Engineers Australia (EA): Evaluates engineering qualifications via accredited accords (Washington, Sydney, Dublin) or through a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) featuring 3 Career Episodes.
- VETASSESS: Assesses over 350 general professional and technical occupations across Groups A through F, requiring relevant degree qualifications and paid highly-relevant post-qualification employment.
- TRA (Trades Recognition Australia): Oversees trade occupations (electricians, chefs, carpenters) through the Job Ready Program (JRP) or Migration Skills Assessment (MSA).
- Validity Warning: Skills assessments are valid for the validity period specified by the assessing authority or up to 3 years from the date of issue (whichever is shorter) for Home Affairs GSM purposes.
Target Superior English (+20 Points)
The highest-leverage differentiator in the SkillSelect pool
While Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50) fulfills basic visa eligibility, it yields 0 points. Achieving Superior English provides a massive +20 points injection, which is often the decisive factor between receiving an invitation and remaining waiting in the SkillSelect queue:
79+ in each band
Computerized scoring; highly recommended for rapid preparation.
8.0 in each band
Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking all require 8.0+.
Band 9+ in each
Home Affairs accepted test offering 100% computerized delivery.
Key Rule: For GSM points claims, test results are valid for 3 years from test date at the time of invitation, regardless of whether the testing provider issues a 2-year scorecard.
Stack Secondary Points (NAATI CCL, Study & Partner)
Unlocking hidden bonuses to surpass competitive cut-offs
Top candidates do not rely solely on age and degree. They systematically layer high-probability secondary bonus criteria:
Master the SkillSelect EOI & State ROI Strategy
Queue positioning, Date of Effect (DOE), and state portals
Lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the federal SkillSelect system is free. Best practice recommendations include:
- Submit Separate EOIs: Create independent EOI profiles for Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491. If an invitation is issued for one subclass, other EOIs remain unaffected and active.
- Protect Your Date of Effect (DOE): SkillSelect ranks applicants by points score first, and then by the Date of Effect (the exact timestamp when that points score was achieved). Modifying your claims resets your DOE to the edit date.
- State Registrations of Interest (ROIs): For Subclass 190 and 491, many states require a secondary submission directly via their state migration portal (e.g., Victoria's Live in Melbourne, NSW Migration Portal, or Canberra Matrix).
- Zero False Claims: Never claim points in anticipation of future milestones. If invited, every claimed point must be verifiable with documentary evidence on or before the date of invitation.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) to Visa Grant
The 60-day lodgement countdown and evidentiary audit
Once invited in an invitation round, you have a strict 60-day non-extendable window to lodge your formal visa application via ImmiAccount. Be prepared to submit:
Employment Verification
Reference letters on official letterhead, contracts, 12 months of pay slips per claim period, taxation assessments (e.g. ATO NOA / Form 16 / W2), and bank statements showing salary credits.
Identity, Character & Health
Passports, birth certificates, National Police Clearances for all countries resided in for 12+ months in the last 10 years, Form 80/1221, and eMedical health exams.
Failure to substantiate any claimed point leads to visa refusal under Section 501 / Public Interest Criterion (PIC 4020) with a 3-year ban on future visa applications.