The complete table 189 · 190 · 491
Australian PR Points Table
Every line of the skilled migration points test, in one place, exactly as the Department of Home Affairs publishes it — with the nomination points that differ between the 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Age
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years | 25 |
| 25 to 32 years | 30 |
| 33 to 39 years | 25 |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 |
| 45 or over (not eligible) | 0 |
You must be under 45 when you are invited. At 45 or over you score zero.
English
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Competent English is the minimum for the visa; Proficient and Superior are where the points are.
Skilled employment outside Australia
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 years | 0 |
| 3 to under 5 years | 5 |
| 5 to under 8 years | 10 |
| 8 years or more | 15 |
Skilled employment in your nominated occupation, gained in the last 10 years.
Skilled employment in Australia
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 to under 3 years | 5 |
| 3 to under 5 years | 10 |
| 5 to under 8 years | 15 |
| 8 years or more | 20 |
Note how much faster Australian experience accrues — 1 year here is worth what 3 years overseas is worth.
Educational qualifications
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate (Australian, or recognised overseas equivalent) | 20 |
| At least a Bachelor degree (Australian or recognised overseas) | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification from an Australian institution | 10 |
| Qualification recognised by your assessing authority as suitable | 10 |
| None of the above | 0 |
Specialist education qualification
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Masters by research or Doctorate from an Australian institution, including at least 2 academic years of study in a relevant field | 10 |
Australian study requirement
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| You meet the Australian study requirement | 5 |
Professional Year in Australia
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Completion of a Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
Credentialled community language
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Hold a recognised qualification in a credentialled community language | 5 |
Study in regional Australia
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| At least one degree, diploma or trade qualification obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia | 5 |
Partner skills
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| Single, or my partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Partner is applying on the same visa and meets the age, English and skills criteria | 10 |
| Partner is applying on the same visa and has competent English | 5 |
| Partner is applying but does not meet the above | 0 |
Nomination or sponsorship
| Requirement | Points |
|---|---|
| 189 — Skilled Independent (no nomination) | 0 |
| 190 — Skilled Nominated (state or territory nomination) | 5 |
| 491 — Skilled Work Regional (nomination or eligible family sponsorship) | 15 |
The 15 points for a 491 apply whether you were nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member in a designated regional area.
What is not on this page, and why
The minimum points score. None of the three points table pages states it. Home Affairs publishes the current pass mark on its own calculator, and it can change — so we are not going to print a number we could not read from the source.
The invitation threshold. This is the score that actually got invited in the last round for your occupation, and it changes every round. It is also the number that decides whether your application is realistic — and it is published per occupation by Home Affairs, not as a single figure.
Meeting the minimum is not the same as being invited. If your score is close to the minimum, the honest answer is that it depends entirely on your occupation and the current round. Check the department's invitation round data for your occupation before planning around it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the points categories for Australian PR?
Eleven: age, English, skilled employment outside Australia, skilled employment in Australia, qualifications, a specialist education qualification, the Australian study requirement, a Professional Year, a credentialled community language, regional study, and partner points — plus nomination points for the 190 and 491 visas.
What is the maximum points score?
Home Affairs does not publish a headline maximum on its points table pages, and the number depends on which combinations are available to you. What matters in practice is not the ceiling but the competitive threshold — invitations are issued to the highest scoring applicants within each occupation.
How long does my work experience have to be?
It must be skilled employment in your nominated occupation, and it must have been gained within the last 10 years. The table does not count any employment that is not closely related to your nominated occupation.
How much is a 190 nomination worth?
5 points — and only if the nominating state or territory agency has not withdrawn the nomination.
How much is a 491 nomination worth?
15 points, whether you were nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area and the Minister accepted the sponsorship.
Can I score points for both Australian and overseas experience?
Yes. They are separate lines in the points table with separate point scales, so both can be claimed at the same time if you meet the requirements for each.
Related
- Points calculator — work out your own score
- Visa holders and tax
- Departing Australia super payment
- Medicare levy exemption
From the Department of Home Affairs points tables for subclass 189, 190 and 491, checked 13 October 2026. General information only — not migration advice.