The Point is, Points Matter: A Guide to Australia’s Immigration Points System

Australia’s points based immigration system is designed to attract skilled professionals who can contribute to the country’s economy and society. Under this system, prospective migrants are assessed based on a range of factors including age, English language proficiency, work experience, qualifications and other factors that indicate their ability to succeed in the Australian labor market.

The higher the score, the better the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. In this article, we will explore the various components of the Australia immigration points system, how points are calculated, recent invitation round results, and strategies to improve your points score because understanding the Australia immigration points system is crucial for a successful outcome.

Breakdown of the Australia immigration points system for skilled migration

Age

• 18 to 24 years: 25 points

• 25 to 32 years: 30 points

• 33 to 39 years: 25 points

• 40 to 44 years: 15 points

English Language Proficiency

• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent): 0 points

• Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent): 10 points

• Superior English (IELTS 8.0 or equivalent): 20 points

Skilled Employment Experience

• At least 3 but less than 5 years: 5 points

• At least 5 but less than 8 years: 10 points

• At least 8 years: 15 points

Educational Qualifications

• Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or equivalent: 20 points

• Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or equivalent: 15 points

• Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia: 10 points

• Award or qualification recognized by the relevant assessing authority in their assessment of the skilled occupation: 10 points

STEM Points

Having a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject in your qualification can earn you extra points in the Australia immigration points schedule for skilled migration.

Specifically, if your highest educational qualification is a bachelor’s degree or higher, and it includes a qualification in a STEM field, you can receive an additional 10 points towards your points score. This applies whether your qualification was completed in or outside of Australia, as long as it is recognized as equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher.

To receive the additional points, your STEM qualification must be in one of the following fields:

• Biological sciences
• Chemical sciences
• Earth sciences
• Mathematical sciences
• Natural and physical sciences
• Other natural and physical sciences
• Computer science
• Information technology
• Aerospace engineering and technology
• Civil engineering
• Electrical and electronics engineering and technology
• Engineering and related technologies
• Geosciences
• Manufacturing engineering and technology
• Maritime engineering and technology
• Mechanical and industrial engineering and technology
• Other engineering and related technologies

Partner Points

Partner points are additional points that an applicant can earn in the Australia immigration points schedule for skilled migration, based on the qualifications and language proficiency of their partner. These points can contribute to the overall points score of the visa application and increase the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.

The partner can only earn points if they are included in the visa application and meet certain requirements.

The requirements for partner points are as follows:

• Age: The partner must be under 45 years of age.

• English Language Proficiency: The partner must provide evidence of their English language proficiency by taking an approved language test. If the partner has competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), the application can receive 5 points. If the partner has proficient English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent), the application can receive 10 points.

• Educational Qualifications: If the partner has a qualification from a recognized institution, this can contribute to the points score. The partner can earn 5 points if they have a diploma, trade qualification, or bachelor’s degree. The partner can earn 10 points if they have a qualification at the level of a master’s degree or PhD.

• Skilled Employment: If the partner has skilled work experience, this can also contribute to the points score. The partner can earn 5 points if they have at least one year of skilled work experience.

• It’s important to note that partner points are only awarded if the partner meets the requirements and their information is included in the visa application. If the partner does not meet the requirements or is not included in the application, their qualifications and language proficiency will not contribute to the points score.

Marital Status

• Australia favors unmarried individuals by awarding 10 points to single applicants

Australian Study Requirements

• At least one degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian Study Requirement: 5 points

Credentialled Community Language Qualifications

• Hold a recognized qualification in a credentialled community language: 5 points

Professional Year in Australia

• Completed a professional year in Australia in the applicant’s nominated occupation or a closely related occupation: 5 points

Nomination/Sponsorship

• Nomination by state or territory government (visa subclass 190 only): 5 points

• Sponsorship by an eligible family member (visa subclass 491 only): 15 points

Australia immigration point system minimum scores

The minimum score required to be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is currently 65 points. The minimum score required for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is 65 points. However, meeting the minimum points requirement does not guarantee an invitation to apply for the visa, as the Department of Home Affairs uses a points based system to rank and select the highest scoring applicants from the Expression of Interest pool.

Do I have enough points to Immigrate to Australia?

Will i get an invite with 65 points?

The minimum points requirement for most skilled migration visa categories in Australia is 65 points. However, just meeting the minimum points requirement does not guarantee an invitation to apply for a visa.

If an applicant has a score of 65 points then they may still receive an invitation to apply for a visa if they meet other eligibility criteria and there is a demand for their occupation in Australia. However, if the demand for their occupation is low or there are a large number of applications in the same visa category it will be more difficult to receive an invitation with only 65 points.

Will I get an invitation to apply with 70 points?

While a score of 70 points is a good start, it may not be enough for certain occupations or visa categories. It’s important to keep in mind that the Australia immigration points system is competitive and candidates with higher scores may be prioritized. To increase your chances of receiving an invitation, consider ways to boost your score such as improving your English language skills or completing a higher qualification.

Will I get an invite with 75 points?

Having a points score of 75 points for skilled migration to Australia is generally considered to be a good score and can increase the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. Factors such as the demand for the applicant’s occupation, the number of available places in the relevant visa category, and the current immigration policy of the Australian government can also impact an applicant’s chances of receiving an invitation.

If an applicant has a points score of 75 then they have a higher chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa compared to an applicant with a lower points score.

Will I get an invitation to apply with 80 points?

Having a points score of 80 points for skilled migration to Australia is generally considered to be a strong score and can significantly increase the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. If an applicant has a points score of 80, they have a high chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa, assuming all other eligibility requirements are met.

Will I get an invitation to apply with 85 points?

If an applicant has a points score of 85 they have a very high chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.

Will I get an invite with 90 points?

Having a points score of 90 points for skilled migration to Australia is a very high score and significantly increases the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. If an applicant has a points score of 90, they have a very high chance of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa. Having a points score of 90 significantly increases an applicant’s chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa to Australia.

How many Australia immigration points do I need?

The minimum invitation point score for different occupations on the MLTSSL and STSOL can vary depending on a range of factors such as the number of applications received and the demand for the particular occupation.

Here are the recent invitation point scores for different occupations in Australia:

• Accountants: The minimum invitation point score for Accountants was 90 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• IT professionals: The minimum invitation point score for IT professionals such as software engineers, database administrators and network analysts was 80 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Healthcare professionals: The minimum invitation point score for healthcare professionals such as registered nurses, midwives and medical practitioners was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Engineers: The minimum invitation point score for Engineers such as civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers was 85 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Teachers: The minimum invitation point score for primary and secondary school teachers was 70 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Architects: The minimum invitation point score for Architects was 85 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Construction professionals: The minimum invitation point score for Construction professionals such as project managers, quantity surveyors and building inspectors was 80 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Scientists: The minimum invitation point score for Scientists such as biologists, chemists and physicists was 85 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Social Workers: The minimum invitation point score for Social Workers was 75 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Marketing Specialists: The minimum invitation point score for Marketing Specialists was 90 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Veterinarians: The minimum invitation point score for Veterinarians was 85 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Human Resource Professionals: The minimum invitation point score for Human Resource Professionals was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Mathematicians: The minimum invitation point score for Mathematicians was 85 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Environmental Scientists: The minimum invitation point score for Environmental Scientists was 85 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Multimedia Specialists: The minimum invitation point score for Multimedia Specialists was 80 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Financial Investment Advisers: The minimum invitation point score for Financial Investment Advisers was 90 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Software and Applications Programmers: The minimum invitation point score for Software and Applications Programmers was 95 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Civil Engineers: The minimum invitation point score for Civil Engineers was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Graphic Designers: The minimum invitation point score for Graphic Designers was 75 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Occupational Therapists: The minimum invitation point score for Occupational Therapists was 80 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Medical Laboratory Scientists: The minimum invitation point score for Medical Laboratory Scientists was 85 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Management Consultants: The minimum invitation point score for Management Consultants was 90 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Architects and Landscape Architects: The minimum invitation point score for Architects and Landscape Architects was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Physiotherapists: The minimum invitation point score for Physiotherapists was 80 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Architects and Landscape Architects: The minimum invitation point score for Architects and Landscape Architects was 85 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Social Workers: The minimum invitation point score for Social Workers was 80 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Management Accountants: The minimum invitation point score for Management Accountants was 90 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Mechanical Engineers: The minimum invitation point score for Mechanical Engineers was 80 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Environmental Scientists: The minimum invitation point score for Environmental Scientists was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers: The minimum invitation point score for Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers was 80 points in the invitation round held in January 2023.

• Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers: The minimum invitation point score for Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers was 80 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Mathematicians: The minimum invitation point score for Mathematicians was 85 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Software and Applications Programmers: The minimum invitation point score for Software and Applications Programmers was 85 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Electronics Engineers: The minimum invitation point score for Electronics Engineers was 85 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

• Civil Engineering Professionals: The minimum invitation point score for Civil Engineering Professionals was 90 points in the invitation round held in February 2023.

• Medical Practitioners: The minimum invitation point score for Medical Practitioners was 85 points in the invitation round held in March 2023.

Tips to improve your score on the Australia immigration points system

Here are the top ways to improve your Australia points score for skilled migration according to Jacqueline Chow, Subject Matter Expert at The Global Visa Bureau.

• Increase your English language proficiency: By achieving higher scores in an English language test such as IELTS or TOEFL, you can increase your points score for language proficiency.

• Gain more work experience: You can earn additional points for work experience in your nominated occupation. Working in the same occupation for at least 8 years can earn you the maximum 20 points.

• Obtain higher qualifications: Higher education qualifications, such as a PhD or Master’s degree, can earn you additional points towards your overall points score.

• Secure a state/territory nomination: A nomination from an Australian state or territory can earn you additional points, and may also increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.

• Partner skills: Your spouse or de facto partner’s skills and qualifications may earn you partner points, adding to your overall points score.

• Specialize in an occupation in demand: You can earn additional points if your nominated occupation is in demand in Australia, according to the relevant skills lists.

• Complete a Professional Year program: Completing a Professional Year program in Australia can earn you additional points towards your overall points score.

• Achieve high scores in a skills assessment: A positive outcome in a skills assessment in your nominated occupation can earn you additional points towards your overall points score.

• Age: Being under 45 years of age can earn you maximum points in the age category, while being over 45 may result in fewer points.

• Study in Australia: Studying and completing a degree or qualification in Australia can earn you additional points towards your overall points score.

• Regional Australia: Living and working in regional Australia can earn you additional points, as well as provide other benefits such as priority processing.

• Professional registration and licensing: Holding a professional registration or license for your occupation can earn you additional points towards your overall points score.

• Partner skills assessment: Your partner’s skills can be assessed and earn additional points towards your overall points score, even if they are not in the same occupation as you.

• Community language skills: Proficiency in a community language can earn you additional points, but this only applies if the language is in demand in Australia.

“By focusing on these areas, you can increase your overall points score and improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for skilled migration to Australia.” said Chow,  “It’s important to keep in mind that meeting the minimum points requirement does not guarantee an invitation, as there are other factors that may also be taken into consideration when invitations are issued.”

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