Australia PR points table 2026: full breakdown
Every factor in the Department of Home Affairs points test for the skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190 and 491), with the exact points awarded. Add your points above, then check each category here to see where you can gain more.
Age (at date of invitation)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| 18 to 24 years | 25 |
| 25 to 32 years | 30 |
| 33 to 39 years | 25 |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 |
| 45 years and over | 0 |
English language ability
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent (IELTS 6 or equivalent) | 0 |
| Proficient (IELTS 7 or equivalent) | 10 |
| Superior (IELTS 8 or equivalent) | 20 |
Skilled employment outside Australia (last 10 years)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 years | 0 |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 |
| 8 to 10 years | 15 |
Skilled employment in Australia (last 10 years)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 to 2 years | 5 |
| 3 to 4 years | 10 |
| 5 to 7 years | 15 |
| 8 to 10 years | 20 |
Overseas and Australian work points combined are capped at 20.
Educational qualifications
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate (PhD) from a recognised institution | 20 |
| Bachelor or Masters degree | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia | 10 |
| Qualification recognised by the relevant assessing authority | 10 |
Study and other factors
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Australian study requirement met | 5 |
| Specialist education qualification (STEM Masters by research or PhD) | 10 |
| Credentialled community language (NAATI) | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
Partner skills
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Skilled partner (skills assessment plus competent English) | 10 |
| Partner with competent English only | 5 |
| Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
State or regional nomination
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189), no nomination | 0 |
| State or territory nomination (subclass 190) | 5 |
| Regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship (subclass 491) | 15 |
How many points do you need?
You need at least 65 points to be invited to apply, but 65 rarely wins an invitation on its own. Because SkillSelect ranks candidates and invites the highest scorers first, most successful applicants sit around 85 to 95 or more. The practical cut-off changes each round and depends on your occupation, so the goal is to maximise every category below, not just clear 65.
Frequently asked questions
How many points do you need for Australian PR?
The minimum is 65 points to be invited, but in practice most invited applicants score much higher, often 85 to 95 or more. SkillSelect invites the highest scorers first, so the real cut-off depends on your occupation and how many others are competing.
What is the pass mark for the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
All three use the same 65-point minimum. State nomination adds 5 points (subclass 190) and regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points (subclass 491), which is why 491 applicants often reach the score more easily than 189 applicants.
How are age points calculated?
Your age on the date you are invited decides your points, not the date you apply: 25 points for 18 to 24, 30 points for 25 to 32, 25 points for 33 to 39, 15 points for 40 to 44, and 0 points from age 45.
Do partner skills give extra points?
Yes. A partner with a positive skills assessment and competent English adds 10 points, a partner with competent English only adds 5 points, and being single, or having a partner who is already an Australian citizen or permanent resident, adds 10 points.
Can I count both overseas and Australian work experience?
Yes, but the combined total for skilled employment is capped at 20 points, so you cannot stack the full overseas and full Australian maximums on top of each other.
Points values follow the Department of Home Affairs skilled migration points test. This is an indicative guide, not migration advice; confirm the current figures on the official points table and a registered MARA agent before you rely on them.