Quick answer: Use the calculator below to add up your points for the Skilled Independent 189, Skilled Nominated 190 and Skilled Work Regional 491 visas. The minimum to lodge an Expression of Interest is 65 points, but invitations in recent rounds have typically gone to candidates scoring far higher, so treat 65 as the entry ticket rather than the target.
Australia PR points calculator (189, 190, 491)
Current points test for the Skilled Independent 189, Skilled Nominated 190 and Skilled Work Regional 491 visas. Minimum to lodge an Expression of Interest is 65 points, but invitations in recent rounds have typically gone well above that. A points test reform is under government consultation, so check Home Affairs before relying on any score.
General guide only, not migration advice. Points must be verifiable at invitation (skills assessments, English tests with current validity, employment evidence). Whether a score attracts an invitation depends on your occupation and the round: reported invitation levels for many 189 occupations have been far above the 65 minimum. Confirm current rules on the Department of Home Affairs points table and consider a registered migration agent (MARA) for advice.
TLDR: A 28 year old with superior English, 5 to 7 years of overseas experience, a bachelor degree, single status and a 491 regional nomination scores 100 points. The biggest levers are age (30 points at 25 to 32), English (20 points for superior) and Australian work experience (up to 20 points). A government reform of the points test is under consultation, so verify the current table on the Home Affairs website before lodging.
Table of contents
Where the points come from
Points are awarded for age, English, skilled work experience inside and outside Australia (capped at 20 combined), qualifications, partner factors and a set of extras such as Australian study, a Professional Year, a NAATI community language credential and regional study. The highest-value single factors are:
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25 to 32 (the maximum age band) | 30 |
| Superior English | 20 |
| 8 or more years of Australian skilled experience | 20 |
| Doctorate | 20 |
| Bachelor degree or higher | 15 |
| Regional nomination or family sponsorship (491) | 15 |
| Partner with skills assessment and competent English, or single | 10 |
| State nomination (190) | 5 |
Why 65 points is rarely enough
The points test is competitive, not a pass mark. Invitations go to the highest-ranked candidates in each round, and reported invitation levels for many 189 occupations have been well above the minimum, often in the 80s and 90s. The practical implication: a 65 or 70 point Expression of Interest for a popular occupation can sit in the pool indefinitely. The 190 adds 5 points through state nomination and the 491 adds 15 through regional nomination, which is why regional pathways have become the realistic route for many applicants.
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The fastest ways to add points
- English: moving from competent to superior is worth 20 points and is entirely within your control through retesting
- Nomination: a 491 regional nomination adds 15 points instantly, more than most factors
- Partner: a partner with a skills assessment and competent English adds 10, and single applicants get the same 10
- NAATI community language and a Professional Year add 5 each and stack with everything else
Points must be verifiable at the time of invitation: English tests within validity, a current skills assessment, and employment evidence for every year claimed. Claiming points you cannot prove leads to refusal, not negotiation.
Common questions
Is the points test changing?
A reform of the points test has been through government consultation, with changes discussed including a higher minimum and new factors such as salary. Until a new instrument takes effect the current table applies, but anyone planning an application months ahead should model both scenarios and check Home Affairs announcements.
Do 189, 190 and 491 use different points tests?
No, the underlying test is identical. The difference is the nomination bonus: 5 points for 190 state nomination and 15 points for 491 regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship, added on top of your base score.
Does my occupation affect my points?
Not the score itself, but it decides everything else: which visas you can apply for, which occupation list applies, which authority assesses your skills, and how high the effective invitation cutoff is in practice. Two candidates with identical points can have completely different prospects in different occupations.
