Australia skilled migration points test for subclass 189 and 190 visas in 2026

This guide is for skilled workers who have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL for 189; MLTSSL or STSOL for 190) and are preparing to lodge an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. It covers how points are calculated, how the EOI system prioritises applicants, and how state nomination affects your score and obligations.

This guide is not for applicants who have not yet obtained a skills assessment — you must have a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority before you can lodge an EOI. It is also not for applicants seeking employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482 or 186) or the Global Talent visa (subclass 858), which have separate eligibility frameworks outside the points test. If you are an international graduate exploring student-to-PR pathways, start with the student-to-PR pathways guide for the broader migration map before focusing on the points test.

The points test is a self-assessment system. You claim points across seven categories when you lodge your EOI through SkillSelect. Home Affairs does not verify your claimed points at the EOI stage — verification happens after you receive an invitation to apply for the visa. If your claimed points are not supported by the evidence you submit with the visa application, the visa will be refused. Overclaiming points (inadvertently or otherwise) is one of the most common refusal reasons at the visa application stage.

Your points score at the time of invitation is locked in. If you turn 33 between the EOI and the visa application, your age points do not change — the score used is the score at the date of invitation. The same rule applies to English test expiry: if the test expires between invitation and visa application, the score at invitation date is used as long as the test was valid at that date.

Invitations are issued in descending points order within each occupation group. If two applicants have the same score, the applicant with the earlier EOI lodgement date (date of effect) receives the invitation first. This means lodging a complete EOI as early as possible — even at 65 points — establishes your place in the queue. If the invitation cut-off drops later in the program year, you may receive an invitation even if your initial score was below the cut-off in earlier rounds.

Age (0-30 points): 18-24 years: 25 points. 25-32 years: 30 points (maximum). 33-39 years: 25 points. 40-44 years: 15 points. 45 years and over: 0 points (not eligible). The age calculation is based on the applicant's age at the date of invitation, not the date of EOI lodgement.

English ability (0-20 points): Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band): 0 points. Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each band): 10 points. Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each band): 20 points. The test must be taken within three years of the visa application date. Only approved tests (IELTS, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1, OET, TOEFL iBT) are accepted.

Skilled employment (0-20 points): Overseas employment: 3-4 years (5 points), 5-7 years (10 points), 8+ years (15 points). Australian employment: 1-2 years (5 points), 3-4 years (10 points), 5+ years (15 points). Employment must be in the nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation. The experience must be post-qualification and paid at market rate.

Qualifications (0-20 points): Diploma or trade qualification: 10 points. Bachelor's degree (including honours): 15 points. Doctorate: 20 points. The qualification must be from an Australian institution or assessed as comparable to the Australian level by the relevant assessing authority.

Specialist qualifications (0-10 points): 10 points for a Doctorate from an Australian institution or a qualification assessed as comparable to an Australian Doctorate. These points are in addition to the standard qualification points — a PhD holder receives both the Doctorate points (20) and the specialist qualification points (10) for a possible total of 30 points from education alone.

Other factors (0-20 points): Australian study requirement (5 points) — at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia resulting in a degree, diploma, or trade qualification. Regional study (5 points) — study at a campus in a designated regional area that also satisfies the Australian study requirement. Community language (5 points) — accredited NAATI credential at the paraprofessional level or above. Partner skills (0-10 points) — partner must meet age, English, and skills assessment requirements. State nomination (5 or 15 points) — 5 points for 190 nomination, 15 points for 491 nomination.

Skills assessment. A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. The assessment must be valid at the time of invitation and visa application. Different assessing authorities have different validity periods — check your assessing authority's guidance.

English test results. Original test report forms (TRFs) from IELTS, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1, OET, or TOEFL iBT, showing scores meeting the claimed level. Tests must be valid (taken within three years). If you have multiple tests, provide the highest-scoring one.

Employment evidence. Payslips, employment contracts, references from employers confirming job title, dates, duties, and hours worked. Self-employed applicants need business registration, tax returns, and client contracts. The evidence must show that the employment was in the nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

Qualification evidence. Degree certificates, academic transcripts, and completion letters. For overseas qualifications, a statement of comparability from the relevant assessing authority or from Ecctis (formerly VETASSESS qualifications assessment).

NAATI credential (if claiming community language points). NAATI certificate at the paraprofessional level or above. Accredited translators and interpreters provide their NAATI credential ID number.

Partner evidence (if claiming partner points). Partner's English test results, skills assessment, and evidence of the relationship (marriage or de facto certificate, shared finances, cohabitation evidence). The partner must be included on the same visa application.

State nomination evidence (for 190 or 491). A valid nomination from the state or territory government. The nomination is applied for separately through the state's own application system before or after lodging the EOI, depending on the state's process.

The EOI is your entry into the SkillSelect pool. Lodging an EOI does not guarantee an invitation — it merely registers your interest. The key strategic decisions are: which visa subclass to nominate (189, 190, or 491), whether to apply for state nomination, and when to lodge the EOI relative to invitation rounds and your circumstances.

Lodge the EOI as soon as you have a valid skills assessment and an English test result, even if your score is at the minimum 65 points. Your date of effect in the pool is the lodgement date. If the invitation cut-off for your occupation drops during the program year, your earlier lodgement date gives you priority over later applicants with the same score. You can update your EOI with new information (higher English score, additional work experience, state nomination) without changing your date of effect — but if you withdraw and re-lodge, your date of effect resets to the new lodgement date.

Monitor the invitation round results published by Home Affairs for your occupation group. If the cut-off score for your occupation in the most recent round was significantly higher than your score, consider: (1) improving your English score (10 additional points for moving from Proficient to Superior English), (2) seeking state nomination (5 additional points for 190 or 15 for 491), or (3) pursuing a NAATI credential (5 additional points for community language).

Priya is a 31-year-old software engineer from India with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, 6 years of post-qualification work experience (3 years in India, 3 years in Australia), and Proficient English (IELTS 7.0). She calculates her points: Age (30) + Proficient English (10) + Overseas experience 3-4 years (5) + Australian experience 3-4 years (10) + Bachelor's (15) + Australian study (5) = 75 points.

Priya checks the invitation round results for her occupation (Software Engineer, ANZSCO 261313). The most recent round invited applicants with 85+ points. She identifies two pathways to increase her score: (1) retaking the IELTS to achieve Superior English (8.0 each band) — this would add 10 points, bringing her total to 85; (2) applying for state nomination through a 190 visa — this would add 5 more points, bringing her total to 90. She decides to do both: she books an IELTS test in six weeks and simultaneously prepares a state nomination application for Victoria (which invites software engineers through its skilled migration program). After three months, she has an IELTS 8.0 result and a Victorian nomination. Her new points score is 95. She updates her EOI (the date of effect is preserved since she doesn't withdraw). In the next monthly invitation round, she receives an invitation to apply for the subclass 190 visa. The strategy works because she identified the gap, took concrete steps to fill it, and acted on both the English and nomination pathways simultaneously rather than sequentially.

• Overclaiming points without supporting evidence. Claiming points for work experience that was not in the nominated occupation, or claiming English points with an expired test result. Verify every point claim against your supporting documents before lodging the EOI.
• Not updating the EOI when circumstances change. If you obtain a new English test result, complete additional work experience, or receive state nomination, update the EOI within 14 days. Failing to update may mean you miss an invitation because your EOI score is lower than your actual eligibility.
• Assuming 65 points is enough. The pass mark is 65, but the invitation cut-off for most competitive occupations is significantly higher. Check the most recent invitation round results for your specific occupation before deciding not to pursue additional points.
• Applying for the wrong visa subclass. If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, all three subclasses (189, 190, 491) are available. If it is only on the STSOL, you are limited to 190 and 491. Check the relevant occupation list before deciding which EOI to lodge.
• Letting the skills assessment expire. Skills assessments have limited validity periods — typically 2-3 years depending on the assessing authority. If you have not received an invitation before the assessment expires, you will need a new assessment before you can be invited.