Australian Immigration Points Requirements | Polaris Immigration

The Skillselect system is points based, with applicants receiving points for criteria ranging from Age to work experience. Applicants must score a minimum of 60 points for their visa to be granted. The following tables give a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded for Skillselect visas.

Criteria

• Nominated occupation
• Age 
• English language proficiency 
• Skilled employment 
• Educational qualifications 
• Australian qualifications 
• Regional study 
• Community language skills 
• Spouse/partner skills and qualifications 
• Professional year 
• Nominations and sponsorship (Subclasses 190 and 489 only)

Nominated Occupation

To be eligible to apply under the General Skilled Migration program, applicants must nominate a skilled occupation included on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) ROL List. The applicant
must also have their skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for their occupation.

Applications for the following visas may require a skills assessment:

• General Skilled Migration (GMS) visa 
• Employer-Sponsored visa 
• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa 
• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)   

Age

Applicants are scored according to which age group they fall into at the time of their application, with those aged between 25 and 32 gaining the most points. While those aged 45 and over gain none.

English language proficiency

Most Skillselect applicants are required to take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

Those from native English-speaking countries and applicants who have been awarded a tertiary degree (equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification) from a university where English is the main language do not need to take an English language proficiency test.

However, in order to claim points for superior or proficient English language skills, all applicants must take the IELTS test.

Skilled employment

Applicants are awarded points for employment experience in a skilled occupation, either in Australia or another country. Experience must be in a nominated occupation on one of Australia’s above-mentioned lists or an occupation that is closely related to earning points for skilled employment, and must have been gained within the last ten years.

Points are awarded separately for skilled employment experience gained within Australia and elsewhere. Points from both tables can be combined, but the maximum total points awarded for skilled employment is 20 points.

Educational qualifications

Points are awarded for the applicant’s highest qualification only. For example, if the applicant has both a doctorate and a bachelor’s degree, points will only be awarded for the doctorate. In order to be awarded points, any qualifications must be related to the applicant’s nominated occupation and must be recognised as comparable to Australian qualifications; This will usually be verified during the skills assessment for the applicant’s nominated occupation.

Australian qualifications

Applicants are awarded 5 points if they have completed an Australian qualification from an Australian educational institution. The qualification must have been earned from an Australian institution while they were in Australia. The course of study must have been at least two years in length.

Regional study

Applicants are awarded another 5 points if they meet the two-year study requirement listed above while living and studying in a “regional Australia/low population growth metropolitan area” in Australia.

Community language skills

Applicants can gain 5 points if they have translator/interpreter-level language skills in one of Australia’s designated community languages. These skills must be recognised by Australia’s National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Spouse/partner skills and qualifications

If the applicant’s spouse, partner, or child is included on the visa application and is not an Australian resident or citizen, their skills can count towards the points total. In order to gain points, the spouse/partner must meet the Australian General Skilled Migration basic requirements (listed above) for age, English language proficiency, and nominated occupation.

Professional year

Applicants also score 5 points if they have completed an approved professional year in Australia in the last 4 years. A Professional Year is a structured professional development program that combines formal training with on-the-job experience. The professional year must have been in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.

Nomination and sponsorship (Subclass 190 and Subclass 489 only)

Applicants for Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) and Skilled Nominated or Sponsored visas (Provisional) (Subclass 489) are awarded points for being sponsored by an Australian state or Territory government.

Pass mark

Applicants must score a minimum of 65 points to gain a visa under the General Skilled Migration program. Try our free online Australian General Skilled Migration points test to see if you score enough points for your visa.

Further Information, help, and advice

We at Polaris offer a wide range of immigration services and support to people looking to start over in Australia. We even offer a free consultation! Our intention is to assist you at every stage of the Australian immigration procedure. Only fully accredited and qualified regulated Australian immigration consultants are used by us. Every step of the way, our consultants will share their knowledge and experience with you and are fully committed to your cause.

By doing this, we can guarantee that you and your family will receive the best possible immigration services at the lowest possible price.