When applying for skilled migration visas and for some business migration visas, applicants need to pass the points test.The test is used to help select people with the skills and attributes that are needed most in Australia. Points can be allocated based on business or professional skills, qualifications, English language knowledge, age and other criteria. Applicants must score sufficient points to reach the pass mark applicable to a relevant points-tested visa. All points tested visa applicants are selected or nominated through SkillSelect.
Pass Mark
As of 1 July 2018, the pass mark for the skilled and business migration points tests is 65 points. Applicants with the highest score are invited to apply first. Applicants with the same score are ranked in chronological order according to the date (earliest first) of the Expression of Interest (EoI) application.
Due to demand the real pass mark for certain skilled occupations could be higher than 65. The table below shows the pass mark for several ANZSCO unit groups as of September 2018. All occupations that are part of the respective unit group are subject to a higher pass mark.
ANZSCO Group
- 2211
- 2212
- 2334
- 2335
- 2339
- 2611
- 2613
- 2631
Description
- Accountants
- Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers
- Electronics Engineer
- Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
- Other Engineering Professionals
- ICT Business and System Analysts
- Software and Applications Programmers
- Computer Network Professionals
Score
- 80
- 80
- 70
- 70
- 75
- 75
- 75
- 70
Initially, test points are calculated based on the information provided in the EoI application. However, the final calculation is done based on the information provided in visa application. If the second score is less than claimed in the EoI, visa application may be refused. Therefore, it is important to make sure that SkillSelect information is correct and up-to-date at all times.
Although, there are several test factors, like age, English level and state/territory nomination, that are common among all tests, their requirements and scores are different depending on whether a test is for a skilled or business migration. There are also a number of specific factors applicable to a relevant migration program or visa stream only.
Skilled Migration Factors
Complete points test now to assess eligibility for skilled migration.
English
- Competent
- Proficient
- Superior
Points
- 0
- 10
- 20
Age
- 18-24
- 25-32
- 33-39
- 40-44
Points
- 25
- 30
- 25
- 15
Nomination
- State/Territory
- Regional
- Relative
Points
- 5
- 15
- 15
Skilled Employment
Employment must be skilled as determined by skills assessment results and in a nominated or closely related (in the same ANZSCO Unit Group) occupation. Maximum of 20 points can be awarded for combined total skilled employment inside and outside Australia in the last 10 years.
- Less than 3 years
- 3-4 years
- 5-7 years
- 8-10 years
- 0
- 5
- 10
- 15
- Less than 1 year
- 1-2 years
- 3-4 years
- 5-7 years
- 8-10 years
- 0
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
Qualifications
Points are awarded for the highest completed qualification. Overseas degrees must be recognised by the relevant assessing authority for a nominated occupation.
- Doctorate degree from an Australian or overseas educational institution
- Bachelor degree from an Australian or overseas educational institution
- Diploma or trade qualification from an Australian or overseas educational institution
- 20
- 15
- 10
Australian Study Requirement
- At least one degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study course and duration requirements
Points
- 5
- Bachelor or higher degree, diploma, advanced diploma, or trade qualification
- Undertaken at an Australian educational institution in Australia
- Conducted in English
- Registered on Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- Single qualification requiring at least two academic years study¹, or
- Several qualifications resulting in a total period of at least two academic years study¹
Specialist Education
- Masters degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least two academic years in specified fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics or information and communication technology
Points
- 10
- biological sciences
- chemical sciences
- earth sciences
- mathematical sciences
- natural and physical sciences
- other natural and physical sciences
- physics and astronomy
- computer science
- information systems
- information technology
- other information technology
- aerospace engineering and technology
- civil engineering
- electrical and electronic engineering and technology
- engineering and related technologies
- geomatics engineering
- manufacturing engineering and technology
- maritime engineering and technology
- mechanical and industrial engineering and technology
- other engineering and related technologies
- process and resources engineering
Other Factors
- Accreditation² in a community language
- Study³ in regional or a low population growth metropolitan area
- Professional year in Australia
- Not married or in de-facto relationship
- Australian spouse or de-facto partner
- Partner’s skills and Competent English
- Partner’s Competent English
Points
- 5
- 5
- 5
- 10
- 10
- 10
- 5
³Study meets the Australian study requirement and was not undertaken by distance education.
- Under 45 years of age
- Competent English
- An occupation on the same skilled list (MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL) as applicant’s occupation
- Skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority for partner’s occupation
- Not an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Migrating with an applicant
- Completed in the four years before invitation to apply for a visa
- Completed in a nominated or a closely related occupation
- Completed over a period of at least 12 months
- Provided by either Engineers Australia, the Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Business Migration Factors
Complete points test now to assess eligibility for business migration.
English
- Vocational
- Proficient
Points
- 5
- 10
Age
- 18-24
- 25-32
- 33-39
- 40-44
- 45–54
- 55+
Points
- 20
- 30
- 25
- 20
- 15
- 0
Nomination
- State/Territory
- Special Endorsement¹
Points
- 10
- 10
Qualifications
- Trade certificate, diploma or bachelor degree from an Australian education institution
- Bachelor degree from an overseas² educational institution
- Bachelor or higher degree in business, science or technology from an Australian or overseas² education institution
Points
- 5
- 5
- 10
Financial Assets
- AUD800 000
- AUD1.3 million
- AUD1.8 million
- AUD2.25 million
Points
- 5
- 15
- 25
- 35
Business Turnover
- AUD500 000
- AUD1 million
- AUD1.5 million
- AUD2 million
Points
- 5
- 15
- 25
- 35
- Net business and personal assets owned by an applicant, an applicant’s partner or combined in each of the preceding 2 years
- Annual turnover in main business shown for a period of at least 2 years in the preceding 4 years
Business or Investor Experience
Business and investor experience factors apply only to Business Innovation stream and Investor stream respectively. Minimum eligible investments should be at least AUD100 000.
- Not less than 4 years in the preceding 5 years
- Not less than 7 years in the preceding 8 years
- 10
- 15
- At least the preceding 4 years
- At least the preceding 7 years
- 10
- 15
Business Innovation Qualifications
This factor applies to Business Innovation stream only. Points can be awarded for more than one innovation attribute, but only once for each.
- Registered patents or designs
- Registered trademarks
- Joint venture agreements
- Export trade
- Ownership in Gazelle businesses³
- Grants or venture capital funding
- 15
- 10
- 5
- 15
- 10
- 10
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