The points system: how to calculate your Australian score

The Australian points system is no mystery — the table is public and you can add up your score tonight. What most people misjudge is not their score but the threshold: the official minimum is 65 points, but in practice applicants for the independent route only receive an invitation around 85 to 95. That difference between "may take part" and "gets invited" is where time and money are lost.

The table, as it stands at the source

The figures below come straight from the official points table of Home Affairs, and it changes per programme year — so check them at the source before you build decisions on them.

Age (at the moment of invitation): 18 to 25 years earns 25 points, 25 to 33 years the maximum of 30, 33 to 40 years 25 again, and 40 to 45 years still 15. Above 45 you no longer take part — that is a hard limit, not a sliding scale.

English: Competent (the entry requirement) gives 0 points, Proficient 10, Superior 20. This is the biggest dial you can turn yourself — which test you choose for it is an article in itself.

Work experience in your occupation, counted over the last ten years: outside Australia 3 to 5 years earns 5 points, 5 to 8 years 10, and 8 years or more 15. Experience in Australia counts more heavily, up to 20 points at 8 years. Mind the ceiling: for work experience together you never get more than 20 points, whatever the sum comes to.

Education: a doctorate gives 20 points, at least a bachelor's 15, a diploma or trade qualification recognised by your assessing authority 10. Only your highest qualification counts.

There are also smaller items that mainly apply to whoever already studied or worked in Australia: an Australian research master's or doctorate in a STEM field (10), the Australian study requirement (5), a Professional Year (5), a recognised interpreting/translating qualification via NAATI (5) and study in regional Australia (5).

The partner points sometimes change the whole route

This part is skipped most often, and it can determine your route. A partner who has a successful skills assessment of their own, an occupation on the same list and Competent English, earns 10 points. A partner with only Competent English: 5 points. And if you are single — or your partner is Australian or a permanent resident — you also get 10.

The painful in-between category is therefore an accompanying partner without an assessment of their own and without demonstrable English: that effectively costs you 10 points compared with a single person. If your partner's occupation is on the list itself, work out both scenarios — which of you becomes the main applicant can make the difference.

Only claim points you can substantiate on the day of invitation. Your score is checked against evidence at the application, and a difference between your Expression of Interest and your documents is a common reason for refusal. Points you hope to get don't count — see also the 60-day clock.

What your score means

If you come out well above 85, the independent 189 route is realistic. If you're between 65 and 80, look seriously at state nomination (190, +5 points) or the regional route (491, +15) — the three routes in a row. Below 65 the journey in this form is not feasible, and you want to know that now, not after thousands of euros in assessments and tests.