How the Australian points test works
Thinking about Australia for months, or years? The points test is where that hope meets a number.
One points test covers three skilled visas. The 189 (Skilled Independent) needs no sponsor. The 190 (Skilled Nominated) needs a state or territory to nominate you and adds 5 points. The 491 (Skilled Work Regional) needs a state nomination or an eligible family sponsor and adds 15 points.
To be invited you need at least 65 points. You must also be under 45 on the day you are invited, have at least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each part) and hold a positive skills assessment for an eligible occupation.
Most points come from age (up to 30, best from 25 to 32), English (10 for Proficient, 20 for Superior), skilled work (up to 20 in total) and your highest qualification (up to 20 for a doctorate). Smaller items add 5 or 10 each: Australian study, regional study, specialist education, a Professional Year, a NAATI community language credential and your partner's skills. Single? You get 10 partner points.
Why 65 is often not enough
Hard to hear, but it matters: 65 points makes you eligible. It does not get you invited. For the 189, Home Affairs invites the highest scores first. On a tie, whoever reached the score earlier goes first.
On 4 June 2026, Home Affairs invited 10,000 people for the 189. Only 15 of the 140 occupations invited had a minimum of 65. 100 needed 80 or more. Some common jobs, such as software and accounting roles, were not on the list at all. The official table showed no 189 invitations in July, August or September 2026.
For the 190 and 491, the state or territory chooses, each with its own occupation list and rules.
What your result means
- Under 65: you cannot be invited yet. Look at your biggest lever above.
- 65 to 84: you are eligible. Your occupation now decides your chances. Look at the last round for your job, and think about state nomination.
- 85 or more: in the June 2026 round, 85 points met the minimum for 127 of the 140 occupations invited.
Which one claim could you improve in the next six months? Will your next birthday cost you points? Can your partner add points?
Mistakes to avoid
- Claiming work your skills assessor did not accept. Only paid work in your nominated or a closely related occupation, at least 20 hours a week, in the last 10 years, counts.
- Forgetting the age bands. Age is counted on the day you are invited. You lose 5 points at 33 and 10 more at 40.
- Adding overseas and Australian work above 20 points. The cap is 20.
- Claiming points you cannot prove. You must show evidence for every claim when you apply.
- Paying anyone who promises an invitation. No one can promise one.
Go deeper: read our guide to migrating to Australia, compare the 190 and 491 visas, see how to reach Superior English, or work out what the move will cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark for the Australian points test?
The pass mark is 65 points for the Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas.
How many points do I get for my age?
You get 25 points from 18 to 24, 30 points from 25 to 32, 25 points from 33 to 39 and 15 points from 40 to 44. You must be under 45 when you are invited.
What English score do I need for 20 points?
You need Superior English. For tests taken from 7 August 2025, that is IELTS 8 in each part, or PTE Academic 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking.
How many points does state nomination add?
A subclass 190 state or territory nomination adds 5 points. A subclass 491 nomination, or an approved family sponsorship for the 491, adds 15 points.
Can I claim overseas and Australian work experience together?
Yes. Overseas work gives up to 15 points and Australian work up to 20. But the two together can never give more than 20 points.
Is 65 points enough for a 189 invitation?
Usually not. In the 4 June 2026 round, only 15 of the 140 occupations invited had a minimum score of 65. 100 occupations needed 80 points or more.
Estimate only, based on the official points tables checked in October 2026. Home Affairs decides your points when it assesses your application. Check the official points calculator before you lodge an EOI.
