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Home Affairs Points Test

Australia Subclass 189 & 190 Skilled Points Calculator 2026

2026 Information Notice: This guide is based on official published information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs and relevant government bodies. Visa requirements, application fees, and statutory thresholds change periodically; applicants should verify current requirements on primary government portals before applying.

Comprehensive Statutory Overview

General Skilled Migration (GSM) to Australia under the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) permanent visas operates on a competitive points-tested framework managed by the Department of Home Affairs via SkillSelect. Subclass 189 is an independent permanent visa requiring no sponsor or nominator. Subclass 190 is a permanent visa where an approved nomination from an Australian state or territory government (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, or WA) contributes an additional 5 points to the points test. To lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), applicants must hold a suitable skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant eligible skilled occupations list, be under 45 years of age when invited, and achieve a minimum of 65 points on the GSM Points Test. Note that an EOI is not a visa application and does not grant a bridging visa. Meeting the 65-point threshold makes an applicant eligible for SkillSelect, but does not guarantee an invitation. This calculator computes your estimated points breakdown across age, English proficiency, skilled employment, tertiary qualifications, specialist STEM degrees, partner qualifications, and state nomination.

Important Eligibility Notice: 65 points is the minimum points threshold for these points-tested visas. It does not guarantee an invitation. Invitation scores vary according to visa subclass, occupation, points score, and invitation round.

Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 GSM Points Test Calculator

Select your age, English score, qualifications, and work experience to calculate your live SkillSelect points score:

1. Age Bracket Points

2. English Language Proficiency

3. Australian Skilled Work Experience

4. Educational Qualifications

5. Partner Status / Qualifications

6. Nomination / Regional Bonus

Your Total Estimated GSM Points Score

80 Points

✓ Eligible to Submit SkillSelect EOI (Minimum 65 Pts Reached)

GSM Points Breakdown (Age, English, Work & Nomination)

65-Point Minimum Threshold

Minimum Eligibility Points Floor

Must score at least 65 points on the GSM points table to lodge a valid Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Meeting 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.

State Nomination (+5 Pts)

Subclass 190 Nomination Contribution

An approved state or territory nomination for Subclass 190 contributes 5 points to the points test. Each jurisdiction (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) sets its own nomination criteria.

Age Limit (Under 45)

Age Points Allocation & Cutoff

Applicants aged 25 to 32 receive 30 points. Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time the SkillSelect invitation is issued (0 points at age 45+).

English Language Points

Proficient & Superior English Scores

Proficient English contributes 10 points. Superior English contributes 20 points, based on active Home Affairs score-equivalency rules.

Skilled Employment Points

Australian & Overseas Work Experience

Australian skilled work contributes up to 20 points (1 yr: 5 pts; 3 yrs: 10 pts; 5 yrs: 15 pts; 8 yrs: 20 pts). Overseas skilled work contributes up to 15 points.

Partner Qualification Points

Single & Partner Status Points

Single applicants or applicants with an Australian Citizen/PR partner receive 10 points. Applicants with a skilled partner holding a suitable skills assessment get 10 points; competent English partner gets 5 points.

SkillSelect EOI Submission & Invitation Round Guidelines

Age Points Scale: Ages 18-24: 25 pts; Ages 25-32: 30 pts; Ages 33-39: 25 pts; Ages 40-44: 15 pts; Age 45+: Cannot be invited.
Educational Qualifications: Doctorate (PhD): 20 pts; Bachelor's or Master's degree: 15 pts; Trade Diploma / Certificate: 10 pts.
Specialist Education Bonus: Master's by Research or PhD in STEM/ICT fields from an Australian institution contributes 10 extra points.
Australian Study Requirement: Completing an eligible 2-year degree in Australia contributes 5 points.
Regional Australian Study: Living and studying in a designated regional area of Australia contributes 5 extra points.
Credentialed Community Language (NAATI CCL): Passing an approved NAATI CCL test contributes 5 points.
Professional Year Program (PYP): Completing an approved 1-year PYP in Accounting, IT, or Engineering in Australia contributes 5 points.
Skills Assessment Rules: A suitable skills assessment is required. Home Affairs notes that suitable skills assessments obtained within the 60-day invitation period may be accepted under relevant case law.
EOI Status Distinction: An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not a visa application and does not grant a bridging visa.
Jurisdictional Commitments: Subclass 190 applicants are nominated by an Australian state or territory and may be required to meet that jurisdiction's residence and commitment requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (Home Affairs FAQs)

The minimum score to lodge an EOI in SkillSelect is 65 points. Although 65 points is the minimum threshold, the score required to receive an invitation can be substantially higher and varies by subclass, occupation, points score, and invitation round.

An approved state or territory nomination for Subclass 190 contributes 5 points to the points test. Nomination is not automatic; each of the 8 states and territories (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) sets its own nomination criteria.

Home Affairs accepts approved tests including IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Proficient English contributes 10 points and Superior English contributes 20 points, based on current Home Affairs score-equivalency rules.

Yes. Single applicants receive 10 points. Applicants with a skilled partner (holding a suitable skills assessment and competent English) receive 10 points. Partners with competent English only contribute 5 points.

A job offer is not a general federal requirement for Subclass 189 or 190. However, individual state and territory nomination programs for Subclass 190 may impose their own employment or job-offer requirements.

An EOI is an online indication that you would like to be considered for a skilled visa. An EOI is NOT a visa application and does not grant a bridging visa; you can only apply for a visa after receiving an official SkillSelect invitation.

You must be under 45 years of age at the time the SkillSelect invitation is issued to apply for a Subclass 189 or 190 visa.

A Skills Assessment evaluates your qualification and work experience against Australian standards for your nominated occupation. Home Affairs notes that suitable skills assessments obtained within the 60-day invitation period may be accepted following relevant case law.

Subclass 190 applicants are nominated by an Australian state or territory and may be required to meet that specific jurisdiction's residence and commitment requirements.

Subclass 189 is an independent permanent visa requiring no sponsor or nominator. Subclass 190 is a permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government.

GSM Points Test Benchmarks & SkillSelect Rules

Minimum EOI Eligibility Floor

65 Points Minimum (Invitation Not Guaranteed)

Primary Application Charge (VAC)

AUD $4,770

Peak Age Points Allocation

30 Points (Ages 25–32; Under 45 Limit)

Superior English Contribution

20 Points (IELTS 8.0 / PTE Equivalency)

Eligible Jurisdictions

All 8 States & Territories (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA)

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