The Australian skilled migration points test, explained

At the time of writing, Home Affairs lists three points-tested skilled visas that you apply for through SkillSelect:

• Skilled Independent (subclass 189), which doesn't need a sponsor or nomination.
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), which needs nomination by a state or territory government. Its points table adds 5 points for nomination.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491), which needs nomination by a state or territory or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a designated regional area. Its table adds 15 points for nomination or sponsorship.

Apart from the nomination points, the three tables use the same factors. Each visa also has other requirements, such as an occupation on the relevant list and a skills assessment, which a registered migration agent can explain for your situation.

The subclass 189 points table currently lists these factors:

• Age
• English language skills
• Skilled employment experience, overseas and in Australia (combined points are capped at 20)
• Educational qualifications
• Specialist education qualification
• Australian study requirement
• Professional Year in Australia
• Credentialled community language
• Study in regional Australia
• Partner skills

Some factors are fixed by your history, like your age band or the qualifications you already hold. Others, like your English result or a community language credential, can change through preparation. That's why language tends to be the first place applicants look when they're a few points short.

Home Affairs says you must meet or exceed a points threshold of 65 to be invited to apply for a 189, 190 or 491 visa. Reaching 65 doesn't mean you'll be invited. Invitations depend on the occupation, the number of places and how other people in the pool score, and state or territory nominations can ask for more than 65.

This is why applicants often talk about "competitive" scores well above the pass mark. We don't publish typical invitation scores here: they change from round to round and differ by occupation. A registered migration agent can explain current patterns for your occupation.

English. Moving from Competent to Proficient English adds 10 points, and Superior adds 20. Each level is a minimum score in every component of an accepted test, so your weakest skill decides your level. Our guide to English tests for Australian PR shows the scores.

Community language. You can claim 5 points if you hold a NAATI credential in a language other than English: a community language credential (usually from the CCL test), or NAATI certification at Certified Provisional level or above. See community language points for what counts and what doesn't.

You don't apply for these visas directly. First you lodge an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, where you record your claims. You don't upload documents at that stage, and SkillSelect shows an indicative points score.

1. Lodge an EOI with your current claims.
2. Update it if your situation changes, for example when you get a better English result or a NAATI credential. You can update until you're invited.
3. If you're invited, Home Affairs says you have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
4. Prove every claim with evidence when you apply. Claims are generally assessed as at the time you're invited, so don't claim points you don't yet hold.