Aussie Calculators

189 · 190 · 491 Official points table

Skilled Migration Points Calculator

Australia's points test, scored the way the Department of Home Affairs scores it — age, English, skilled employment here and overseas, qualifications and the extras. The calculator shows you which items you scored and which you did not, so you can see what is worth improving.

Your score

Points test score

0

points

Age
0
English
0
Employment
0
Qualification
0
Partner
0
Extras
0
Nomination
0

Points table from the Department of Home Affairs for each visa subclass, checked 13 October 2026. This is a guide only — the department's own calculator determines your score.

Where the points come from

Only three categories can realistically be improved once you are applying — and they are the three worth focusing on:

  1. English. Competent scores 0, Proficient 10, Superior 20. Sitting the test again is the single fastest way to add 10 points.
  2. Skilled employment. Time is the only input — but note how much faster Australian experience accrues: 5 points at 1 year in Australia versus 3 years overseas.
  3. Partner points. 10 points if your partner meets the age, English and skills criteria, or if you are single. 5 if they only have competent English.

Age is the one you cannot fix. You score 30 at 25 to 32, and it drops to 25 at 33, then 15 at 40. Being invited before your birthday can be worth 5 points.

Frequently asked questions

What is the points test for Australian skilled migration?

A scoring system used for the 189, 190 and 491 visas. You score points for age, English ability, skilled employment, qualifications, and a group of extras — then the highest scoring applicants in each occupation are invited to apply.

How many points do I need?

There is a minimum points score set by the Minister, and Home Affairs publishes the current figure on its own points calculator page. But the minimum is not the same as the competitive threshold: invitations go to the highest scoring applicants first, within occupation ceilings. In many occupations the practical requirement is far above the minimum.

Where is the age cut-off?

You must be under 45 when you are invited to apply. At 45 or over you score zero on the age test — which in practice ends the application.

Do overseas and Australian work experience both count?

Yes, they are separate categories with separate points. Australian experience scores more generously: 1 to 3 years in Australia already earns 5 points, while you need 3 years overseas to reach the same.

How many points is state nomination worth?

5 points for a 190 nomination, and 15 points for a 491 nomination or eligible family sponsorship in a designated regional area. A 189 visa has no nomination and therefore no nomination points.

Is this calculator official?

No. It applies the points table published by the Department of Home Affairs for each visa subclass, checked 13 October 2026. It is a guide, not a points assessment — the department runs its own official points calculator, and only that one determines your score.

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