Australia — SkillSelect
Australia skilled migration points calculator
Score yourself against the Home Affairs points test used for subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (State Nominated) and 491 (Skilled Regional). The minimum to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points; the practical invitation threshold varies by occupation and quarter.
Estimated points
65
Minimum to submit an Expression of Interest is 65. Practical invitation threshold varies by occupation and quarter — most in-demand fields see invitations in the 85–95 range.
- Age
- 30
- English
- 10
- Overseas experience
- 10
- Australian experience
- 0
- Education
- 15
- Australian study
- 0
- Specialist education
- 0
- Community language
- 0
- Professional year
- 0
- Regional study
- 0
- Partner
- 0
- Nomination
- 0
Worked examples
Typical profiles scored against the Home Affairs points test. The totals below are produced by the same calculator above. The EOI floor is 65 points; competitive occupations usually need 85–95 to receive an invitation.
| Profile | Detail | Points | EOI floor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software engineer, 28, subclass 189 | Superior English, 5 years overseas skilled work, bachelor’s, no nomination — clears the EOI floor but below the competitive invitation band. | 75 | Clears 65 |
| Same profile, with 190 state nomination | Identical to the 189 engineer above plus a subclass 190 state nomination (+5). | 80 | Clears 65 |
| Engineer, 33, subclass 491 regional | Proficient English, 8 years overseas work, master’s, accredited community language, with a 491 state nomination (+15). | 85 | Clears 65 |
| Onshore nurse graduate, 26 | Superior English, 3 years overseas + 2 years Australian work, bachelor’s, met the Australian study requirement, professional year, with a skilled partner. | 95 | Clears 65 |
| Tradesperson, 42, competent English only | Competent English (0 points), 5 years overseas work, recognised trade — age and English ceilings keep this below the 65-point floor. | 35 | Below 65 |
| Researcher with a doctorate, 30 | Superior English, 8 years overseas + 3 years Australian work, doctorate, specialist STEM/ICT education qualification — a top-band 189 profile. | 105 | Clears 65 |
Clearing the 65-point floor lets you submit an Expression of Interest; it does not guarantee an invitation. State and territory nomination (190 / 491) adds 5–15 points.
About this calculator
Australia\u2019s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program uses a points-based SkillSelect system. Candidates lodge an EOI, the highest-scoring candidates in each occupation ceiling are issued invitations, and invited candidates then lodge a full visa application. Subclass 189 is permanent and uncapped; 190 requires state/territory nomination; 491 is a 5-year provisional visa with a 3-year regional-work pathway to permanent 191.
Primary source
Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Points Table
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table
Last checked: 2026-04-20.
FAQs
What’s the minimum points needed for skilled migration?
The legal minimum to submit an Expression of Interest is 65 points. In practice, invitations for subclass 189 usually go to candidates scoring 85–95 or higher in competitive occupations, though less-competitive occupations can see invitations at 65–70.
What’s the difference between 189, 190 and 491?
Subclass 189 is the uncapped Skilled Independent permanent visa, invitation-based via SkillSelect. Subclass 190 is state/territory nominated permanent residence and adds 5 points. Subclass 491 is the provisional Skilled Work Regional visa (5 years, leads to 191 PR) and adds 15 points.
Do I need to pass a skills assessment first?
Yes. Every applicant must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation before submitting an EOI. The assessing authority is not always the same as the professional registration body.
What counts as "skilled employment"?
Paid employment in the nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) at or above the skill level determined by the assessing authority, at 20+ hours per week, typically for a continuous period of at least three months.
Does this calculator reflect state-specific nomination criteria?
No. States and territories set their own nomination streams, occupation lists, and additional eligibility criteria on top of the points test. Check the relevant state/territory immigration page before submitting a 190 or 491 EOI.