Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Points Test

Last Updated: 5 june 2026

What Is the Subclass 189 Points Test?

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent residence visa for eligible skilled workers.

When submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, applicants claim points based on factors such as age, English language ability, skilled employment experience, qualifications, Australian study, partner factors, and other eligible criteria.

The Department of Home Affairs assesses the points claimed in the EOI when invitations are issued. Most points claimed must be valid at the time of invitation.

189 Visa Points Test Overview

The points test includes the following factors:

Age — Maximum available: 30 points
English language skills — Maximum available: 20 points
Skilled employment experience — Maximum available: 20 points
Educational qualifications — Maximum available: 20 points
Specialist education qualification — Maximum available: 10 points
Australian study requirement — Maximum available: 5 points
Professional Year in Australia — Maximum available: 5 points
Credentialled community language — Maximum available: 5 points
Study in regional Australia — Maximum available: 5 points
Partner skills — Maximum available: 10 points

Age

Age is one of the most valuable factors in the points test.

You may claim:

At least 18 but less than 25 years: 25 points
At least 25 but less than 33 years: 30 points
At least 33 but less than 40 years: 25 points
At least 40 but less than 45 years: 15 points

Applicants aged between 25 and 32 receive the highest available age score under the points test.

English language skills

English language ability can contribute a significant number of points.

You may claim:

Competent English: 0 points
Proficient English: 10 points
Superior English: 20 points

While Competent English may satisfy the visa requirement, additional points are only available for higher English levels.

English language skills: Scores Table

Skilled Employment Experience Points

Points may be awarded for employment completed in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

Overseas Skilled Employment

You may claim:

Less than 3 years: 0 points
At least 3 years but less than 5 years: 5 points
At least 5 years but less than 8 years: 10 points
At least 8 years: 15 points

Australian Skilled Employment

You may claim:

Less than 1 year: 0 points
At least 1 year but less than 3 years: 5 points
At least 3 years but less than 5 years: 10 points
At least 5 years but less than 8 years: 15 points
At least 8 years: 20 points

Employment Requirements

To claim employment points:

The employment must be in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation.
The employment must have occurred within the 10 years before you are invited to apply.
The work must be paid employment.
The work must have involved at least 20 hours per week.

For Australian employment, you must have held:

A substantive visa; or
A Bridging A visa; or
A Bridging B visa,

and complied with the conditions of that visa.

What Is a Closely Related Occupation?

A closely related occupation may be:

In the same ANZSCO Unit Group as the nominated occupation.
Part of a recognised career advancement pathway.
Recognised by the relevant skills assessing authority as closely related to the nominated occupation.

Employment Points Cap

The maximum points available for employment experience is 20 points.

Even if your combined overseas and Australian skilled employment would otherwise result in more than 20 points, only 20 points can be awarded.

Educational Qualification Points

Educational qualifications can contribute up to 20 points.

You may claim:

Doctorate Degree

Doctorate from an Australian educational institution; or
Doctorate from another recognised educational institution.

Points available: 20 points

Bachelor Degree

Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution; or
Bachelor qualification from another recognised educational institution.

Points available: 15 points

Diploma or Trade Qualification

Australian diploma qualification; or
Australian trade qualification.

Points available: 10 points

Qualification Recognised by the Relevant Assessing Authority

If the relevant assessing authority recognises your qualification as suitable for your nominated skilled occupation, you may claim:

10 points

Important Qualification Rule

Only your highest qualification can be used for educational qualification points.

You cannot combine multiple qualifications to increase your educational qualification score.

Recognition of Qualifications

The relevant skills assessing authority may determine whether your qualifications are comparable to Australian standards.

Applicants must generally have obtained this recognition before receiving an invitation.

If you hold an overseas qualification at Bachelor level or above and your assessing authority has not provided an opinion regarding the qualification, it may be possible to obtain advice regarding comparability against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Doctorate points are only available for a completed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

You cannot claim doctorate points solely because you hold a professional title such as:

Medical practitioner
Dentist
Veterinarian

Specialist Education Qualification Points

Additional points may be available for eligible postgraduate research qualifications.

You may claim:

10 points

To qualify, you must have completed:

A Masters degree by research; or
A Doctorate degree,

from an Australian educational institution.

The postgraduate degree by research (doctorate or masters) must be awarded from an Australian education institution after at least 2 academic years of study in the following science, technology, engineering, mathematics or specified information and communication technology (ICT).

Eligible Fields

Eligible fields include approved areas within:

Natural and Physical Sciences

Including:

Biological sciences
Chemical sciences
Earth sciences
Mathematical sciences
Physics and astronomy

Information Technology

Including:

Computer science
Information systems
Information technology

Engineering and Related Technologies

Including:

Aerospace engineering
Civil engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronic engineering
Mechanical engineering
Industrial engineering
Maritime engineering
Manufacturing engineering
Process and resources engineering
Geomatics engineering

Australian Study Requirement Points

Applicants who meet the Australian study requirement may claim:

5 points

To qualify, you must have completed at least one:

Degree
Diploma
Trade qualification

from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement.

Professional Year Points

Applicants may claim:

5 points

At the time of invitation, the Professional Year must have been:

Completed in Australia.
Completed over a period of at least 12 months.
Completed within the four years before invitation.
In the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.

Eligible Professional Year Fields

Professional Year programs must be in:

Accounting
ICT / Computing
Engineering

Approved Organisations

Eligible Professional Year programs are provided through:

Australian Computer Society (ACS)
CPA Australia
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
Engineers Australia

Credentialled Community Language Points

Applicants who hold a recognised community language credential may claim:

5 points

To qualify, applicants must hold an eligible translating or interpreting credential recognised by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Eligible credentials include approved accreditation, certification, or community language credentials at the required level.

Study in Regional Australia Points

Applicants may claim:

5 points

To qualify, the educational qualification must:

Meet the Australian study requirement.
Have been obtained while living in an eligible regional area.
Have been completed at a campus located in an eligible regional area.
Not include distance education study.

Partner Skills Points

Partner factors may contribute up to 10 points.

Partner Meets Age, English and Skills Requirements

You may claim:

10 points

To qualify, your spouse or de facto partner must:

Be an applicant in the same visa application.
Be under 45 years of age.
Have Competent English.
Have nominated an occupation on the same skilled occupation list as your nominated occupation.
Hold a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.

Partner Has Competent English

You may claim:

5 points

Your spouse or de facto partner must:

Be included in the same visa application.
Have Competent English.
Not be an Australian citizen.
Not be an Australian permanent resident.

Single Applicant or Partner Is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident

You may claim:

10 points

If your marital status changes during visa processing, points for this factor may not be awarded.

Example 189 Visa Points Calculation

The example below shows how points may be calculated.

An applicant who is:

30 years old = 30 points
Has Superior English = 20 points
Holds a Bachelor degree = 15 points
Has 5 years overseas skilled employment = 10 points
Is single = 10 points

Total score:

85 points

Actual points will depend on individual circumstances and eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors contribute to the 189 visa points test?

The points test considers age, English language ability, skilled employment experience, educational qualifications, Australian study, specialist education qualifications, Professional Year completion, community language credentials, regional study, and partner factors.

Can overseas and Australian work experience be combined?

Yes. However, the maximum number of points available for employment experience is 20 points.

Can I claim points for more than one qualification?

No. Educational qualification points are generally awarded based on the highest qualification only.

Do I need a skills assessment to claim points?

Some points claims require recognition or assessment by the relevant skills assessing authority.

What is a closely related occupation?

A closely related occupation may be within the same ANZSCO Unit Group, part of a recognised career progression pathway, or recognised by the relevant assessing authority.

Can a Professional Year increase my points score?

Yes. Eligible applicants may claim 5 points for a qualifying Professional Year completed in Australia.

Can partner factors increase my score?

Yes. Eligible partner factors may contribute either 5 points or 10 points depending on the circumstances.

Can regional study provide additional points?

Yes. Eligible qualifications completed while living and studying in a designated regional area may provide 5 additional points.

At RACC Australia, We do not charge any service fee for onshore Student Visa applications.

Book a FREE Online Consultation with us to know about the Application process, intake dates, and other study options: www.racc.net.au/migration-agent-education-agent

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