Australian immigration: Can you pass the points test for Australian visas and permanent residency?

What is the points test required for Australian immigration?

In short, some Australian visas require a points test to ensure the skilled migrants entering the country will make an impactful contribution to the nation’s economy. The points test looks at factors such as the applicant’s age, work experience, English language knowledge and, should they have one, their partner’s credentials.

To pass the Australian immigration points test, you must score 65 or more. Different sections of the test weigh more towards the total.

The points gained from work experience and qualifications

You will earn points based on how many years you have worked in your nominated field and whether the experience was inside or outside of Australia.

Work experience outside of Australia

The points breakdown is:

Work experience duration	Points awarded
Less than three years	0 points
More than three years and less than five years	5 points
More than five years and less than seven years	10 points
Eight years or more	15 points

Work experience inside of Australia

The points breakdown is:

Work experience duration	Points awarded
Less than one year	0 points
More than one year and less than three years	5 points
More than three years and less than five years	10 points
More than five years and less than eight years	15 points
Eight years or more	20 points

Your qualifications and their weighting in the immigration points test

For your qualifications, you will receive points for the highest qualification only. The point distribution for qualifications are:

Qualification	Points awarded
A qualification or reward for your occupation that is recognised by the relevant assessment authority	10 points
A diploma or trade qualification	10 points
A bachelor's degree	15 points
A PhD	20 points

Australian study requirement

If you completed a degree, diploma, or trade qualification from an Australian education institution, you might meet the Australian study requirement. This also requires you to have studied at an Australian institution for at least two academic years (92 weeks). If you meet this, you will gain an additional 5 points.

How age affects your Australian work visa prospects

While you have to be under the age of 45 to apply for skills-based visas, different age ranges contribute more towards your total.

The age distribution is as follows:

Age range	Points awarded
Over 18 and younger than 25	25 points
Over 25 and younger than 33	30 points
Over 33 and younger than 40	25 points
Over 40 and younger than 45	15 points

English language requirements for the Australian immigration points test

The immigration points test requires you to prove your English proficiency. This can be done through a variety of testing agencies.

The points awarded for each level of English are:

English level	Points awarded
Competent English	0 points
Proficient English	10 points
Superior English	20 points

Here is a breakdown of the scores required by popular testing agencies for the english levels listed above:

English level	International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Occupational English Test (OET)	Cambridge C1 Advanced Test
Competent	At least 6 for each of the four components	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking	At least 50 for each of the four components	At least B for each of the four components	At least 169 in each of the four components
Proficient	At least 7 for each of the four test components	At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking	At least 65 for each of the four test components	At least B for each of the four test components	At least 185 in each of the four test components
Superior	At least 8 for each of the four test components	At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking	At least 79 for each of the four test components	At least A for each of the four test components	At least 200 in each of the four test components

Your partner’s skills and how they affect your points score

For you to earn 10 more points, your spouse or de facto partner needs to meet the following criteria:

• Under the age of 45
• Have at least competent English
• Nominated in a skilled occupation that is on the same skilled occupation list as your nominated skilled occupation
• Went through a skills assessment from a relevant assessment authority for their nominated skilled occupation which was not for a subclass 485 visa

If you are single or your partner is an Australian permanent resident or citizen, you earn 10 points.

See also: How to apply for an Australian partner visa [with checklist]

Which Australian visas fall under the points-based system?

The Australian work visas which require you to take the points test are:

• The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - invited pathway
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

All of the above visas require a career that appears on the skilled occupation list.

Australian work visas which don’t fall under the points-based system:

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – employer sponsored stream

Which visas lead to permanent residency in Australia?

The 482 employer sponsored visa can lead to permanent residence after three years but you need to be working in a medium- to long-term shortage occupation and your employer needs to agree to permanently sponsor you under subclass 186.

The Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) last for five years and allows you to apply for Australian permanent residence after holding it for at least three years.

Instant Australian permanent residence

The following visas grant you permanent residence immediately:

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) – all streams
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
• The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Permanent visas allow you to apply for Australian citizenship when you become eligible. As a permanent resident, you can:

• Enroll in Australia’s national health scheme, Medicare
• Work in New Zealand
• Sponsor eligible residence for permanent residency
• Attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Programme

COVID-19 and how it affected Australian work visas

Currently, there are two major requirements to move to Australia as a work visa holder. Your career must appear on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List and you need employer sponsorship. The other options are the Global Talent visa and Business Innovation and Investment Programme visas. You may still express interest in a work visa which will ensure your invitation to apply will arrive sooner, should you get one, once visa processing in Australia reopens.

See also: Australian visa changes 2021 – Business and investment updates.

Why was the Australian points test implemented?

In the 1900s, Australia’s population was small compared to the size of the nation. As a result, the Australian government sought migrant workers to fill the gaps in their economy through both skilled and unskilled labour.

As of the 1990s, the Australian government focused on skilled migration. From July 1 2020 to June 30 2021, 79,620 places were delivered in the Australian skill stream. The points-based migration system is to ensure the migrant workforce meets a certain quality standard.

You can use this guide as a broad points calculator to see if you would meet the requirements under normal circumstances. With moving to a new country being so difficult, it is usually recommended that you seek help from Australian immigration professionals. Our team is here to assist you with any migration questions you have.

---

Should you need more information on whether or not you qualify for an Australian visa, take our free Australian visa assessment.

If you’re in a qualifying PMSOL occupation and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at migration@sableinternational.com or by calling +27 (0) 21 657 1526. Our registered migration agents can offer you expert advice and representation for moving to and gaining permanent residency in Australia.