What is the difference between subclass 189, 190 and 491 points?

Subclass 189 has no nomination points. Eligible subclass 190 nomination awards 5 points and eligible subclass 491 nomination or accepted family sponsorship awards 15 points.

Can Australian and overseas skilled work points be combined?

Yes, but the combined eligible skilled employment score is capped at 20 points.

How do partner points work for skilled migration?

Depending on the applicant's circumstances and the partner's citizenship, residence, English and skills criteria, partner circumstances may provide 5 or 10 points.

How can I increase my Australian skilled migration points?

Depending on eligibility, points may improve through English, skilled employment, nomination, partner eligibility, a Professional Year, credentialled community language or eligible Australian study.

Do I need a skills assessment before submitting an EOI?

For points-tested skilled pathways, applicants generally need a suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation before submitting an EOI.

Australia Skill Migration Points Calculator

Australian Skilled Migration Calculator

Calculate your skilled migration points

Get an instant indicative score for Australian skilled visa pathways using the points factors that apply at the time of invitation.

189 Independent 190 Nominated 491 Regional

Select visa subclass

Which age band do you fit into? How would you rate your English language ability? Overseas skilled employment — outside Australia Australian skilled employment — in AustraliaCombined overseas and Australian skilled employment points are capped at 20. What is your highest educational qualification? Select the relevant partner skills qualification

Australian study and additional qualifications

Do you have an Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification that meets the Australian study requirement? Was an eligible Australian qualification obtained while living and studying in regional Australia? Do you have an eligible Australian Masters by research or Doctorate with at least 2 academic years in a relevant field? Did you complete an eligible Professional Year in Australia? Do you hold an eligible NAATI credential in a community language?

Subclass 188 business points questions

Subclass 188 is closed to new applications. This historical calculator is provided only to reflect the supplied Home Affairs question set.

Which age band do you fit into? How would you rate your English language ability? What is your highest qualification? Has the nominating government agency determined that your proposed business is of unique and important benefit? Net business and personal assets in each of the preceding 2 fiscal years Annual business turnover in at least 2 of the preceding 4 fiscal years How long have you held one or more main businesses? How long did you hold eligible investments of at least AUD250,000? Select your strongest eligible business innovation qualification

Important: this is an indicative tool

The current minimum threshold is 65 points, but reaching it does not guarantee an invitation or visa. A valid skills assessment and all visa criteria still apply. Rules can change; confirm your result with the Department of Home Affairs points calculator.

Understand Your Score

How skilled migration points work

SkillSelect uses a points test for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visas. Points may be awarded for age, English, skilled work, qualifications, Australian study, partner circumstances and other recognised factors.

Prepare Your Evidence

Before submitting an EOI

Check that your occupation is eligible for the intended visa, obtain the correct positive skills assessment, confirm your English evidence and keep documents for every point claimed. Your claims must remain accurate when invited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Points calculator FAQs

The current minimum threshold for the points-tested subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas is 65 points. Reaching 65 allows an EOI to be considered but does not guarantee an invitation; competitive occupations can require a higher score.

Subclass 189 does not award nomination points. An eligible subclass 190 State or Territory nomination awards 5 points, while an eligible subclass 491 nomination or accepted family sponsorship awards 15 points. Each visa also has separate eligibility and obligations.

Competent English awards 0 points, Proficient English awards 10 points and Superior English awards 20 points. You must still meet the English requirement and provide accepted evidence under the rules applying to your visa and invitation.

Applicants aged at least 25 but under 33 receive the highest age score of 30 points. The age score is assessed at invitation, and applicants must generally be under 45 for these points-tested skilled visas.

Eligible Australian and overseas skilled employment points can be combined, but the total employment score is capped at 20 points. Employment must satisfy the relevant skilled and time-period requirements.

You may receive 10 points if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. An eligible applicant partner who meets age, English and skills criteria may provide 10 points, while an eligible applicant partner with competent English may provide 5 points.

Depending on your circumstances, points may improve through a higher eligible English result, additional recognised skilled employment, State or regional nomination, partner eligibility, an Australian Professional Year, credentialled community language or eligible Australian and regional study.

For the points-tested skilled pathways, you generally need a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation before submitting the EOI and must ensure it remains valid at the relevant stage. The correct assessing authority and assessment type depend on the occupation and visa.