SkillSelect Points Test 2025: How to Maximise Your Score

1. Age (Maximum 30 Points) 

Age is one of the most significant factors in the Points Test – you can gain up to 30 points if you are between 25 and 32 years old. This is because you are likely to have around 30 years ahead to participate in the labour market and contribute to the Australian economy.  

• 18–24 years: 25 points 

• 25–32 years: 30 points 

• 33–39 years: 25 points 

• 40–44 years: 15 points 

If you’re approaching 33 years old, you should consider increasing your points on other parts of your application (e.g., English test, skills assessment).  

2. English Language Proficiency (Maximum 20 Points) 

For migration purposes, Australian Government will accept scores from various English tests: IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge. For 2025, points allocation is: 

• Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band, PTE 50+): 0 points 

• Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each band, PTE 65+): 10 points 

• Superior English (IELTS 8.0 in each band, PTE 79+): 20 points 

Since “Superior English” can bring you up to 20 points, which is one‐third of the 65‐points, applicant should strongly consider retaking the English test until they achieve IELTS 8.0 or equivalent. However, please note that your English test is only accepted if the testing date is within 3 years from the day you lodge the visa application.   

3. Skilled Employment Experience (Maximum 20 Points) 

For overseas (in the nominated occupation or a closely related field) within the last ten years: 

• 3–4 years: 5 points 

• 5–7 years: 10 points 

• 8–10 years: 15 points 

For Australian‐based experience (in the last ten years): 

• 1–2 years: 5 points 

• 3–4 years: 10 points 

• 5–7 years: 15 points 

• 8–10 years: 20 points 

It can be seen that Australian experience is more heavily weighted, up to 20 points if you have 8-10 years experience in Australia. Therefore, to maximise your score, you can stay in Australia on a temporary basis (e.g., a 485 visa or a 482 visa) to accrue Australian experience.  

Please ensure that you store all employment documents, such as pay slips, tax records, and employment letters outlining your roles and specific tasks to demonstrate your work experience. 

4. Educational Qualifications (Maximum 20 Points)

Below are the points you can get based on qualifications:  

• Doctorate (PhD) from an Australian institution or a recognised overseas equivalent: 20 points 

• Bachelor or Master (with a Master by coursework or coursework component) from an Australian institution: 15 points 

• Bachelor or Master from a recognised overseas institution: 15 points 

• Australian Diploma or Trade qualification: 10 points 

For higher education degree, you will get the same score, regardless of obtaining the degree in Australia or overseas. However, if you choose to study in Australia, you can get extra 5 points for “Australian study”.   

For those with overseas qualification, you need to ensure your overseas credentials are assessed and accepted by the appropriate Australian assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia or VETASSESS). If possible, consider pursuing a postgraduate degree in Australia to get the dual 15 + 5 points structure (Qualification + Australian Study)  

5. Australian Study Requirement (Maximum 5 Points)

After successfully completing at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia at a CRICOS‐registered institution in an approved degree, diploma, or trade qualification, you can get 5 additional points. You must meet the below requirements in order to obtain these 5 points:  

• The course must be closely related to your nominated occupation. 

• You must have lived in Australia for the duration of each term. 

• Your qualification must be at least AQF Level 7 (bachelor degree) or Level 5 (diploma), depending on occupation. 

6. Specialist Education Qualification (Maximum 10 Points)

You can get up to 10 points if you have completed a specialist educational qualification. For migration purposes, “Specialist Education” refers to doctoral or master’s by research degrees obtained from an Australian. You need to meet the following requirements to claim for these 10 points:  

• A master’s by research or PhD with at least two academic years of study in a relevant discipline as specified by the government. 

• Your discipline must be in one of the following fields: mathematics, natural and physical science, Information technology and engineering. Visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table to know exactly which study discipline is eligible for this claim.  

Achieving these points often means planning your postgraduate education to align with these “specialist” degree criteria. Contact SOL Edu and Migration to learn more about what courses you should study for “specialist education qualification”. 

7. Other Additional Points 

7.1 Professional Year (5 Points) 

Completing a recognised “Professional Year” program in Australia in the fields of accounting, engineering, or information technology can provide you with 5 points. These programs must be: 

• completed over 12 months or more 

• completed in Australia in the 4 years before you are invited to apply for an Australian visa 

• in your nominated occupation or closely related to your occupation  

• provided by a registered provider (e.g., AIPM for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering). 

Consider applying for one of these courses as it not only brings you a 5 point when applying for a 189, 190 or 491 visa, but it also provides you with local experience and networks.  

7.2 Credentialled Community Language (5 Points) 

If you can demonstrate professional translation or interpreting skills in a credentialled community language (CCI), assessed by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters), you earn 5 points. To qualify, you must: 

• Sit for the NAATI CCL test and achieve the required proficiency level. 

• Get your NAATI certificate ready to include in your Skillselect EOI. 

As an international student studying in Australia, you may be very efficient in another language other than English. Obtaining a CCL certificate, therefore, is an efficient way to grab extra points with relatively low time investment compared to a second degree or extended work history.  

7.3 Study in Regional Australia (5 Points) 

To encourage international students to stay and study in a regional area, Australian Government offers 5 points for those who complete at least two academic years of study in a designated regional campus. To qualify, you must: 

• meet the Australian Study Requirement 

• study at a campus in a designated regional area, and stay there while studying. Distance education is not accepted.  

When selecting your institution and course, you must make sure your campus in in the approved regional area and ensure your course spans at least 92‐weeks. 

8. Partner Skills (Maximum 10 Points)

• You can earn extra 10 points if your spouse or de facto partner: 

• Is under 45 years of age, 

• Has competent English (IELTS 6.0 overall or equivalent), and 

• Have a suitable skills assessment for an occupation on the skilled list. 

• If your partner has only competent English and does not meet occupational skills criteria, you can still claim 5 points.  

• To claim partner points, you need to include the below documents into your application: 

• A marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship. 

• The partner’s English test results. 

• Your partner skills assessment results (if you wish to claim 10 points) 

This category benefits dual‐career couples, encouraging both you and your partner come and enter into the labour market in Australia.  

• If you are single? No worries, you can earn up to 10 points for this category. 

9. State/Territory Nomination and Regional Visas

9.1 Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) – 5 Points 

If you successfully get nomination from a state or territory, you can earn extra 5 points. Because each state has its own cut‐off scores and occupation lists, it’s advisable that check the cut-off points and occupation list every year.  

If you are granted a 190 visa, you must commit to living and working in the nominated state for at least 2 years.  

9.2 Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) – 15 Points 

If you obtain a state or territory nomination to live and work in a designated regional area, you can receive extra 15 points. To qualify: 

• Your occupation must be on the relevant state’s regional occupation list. 

• You must commit to living, working, and studying in that region for at least three years. 

After three years working and staying on a 491 visa in a designated region, you can then apply for permanent residency under subclass 191 if you meet income requirements.  

10. Monitor Invitation Round Trends for Skilled Independent visas and State Sponsored Visas 

• Regularly check SkillSelect invitation round reports to see the minimum points for your occupation in each visa subclass. Some occupations may have cut-off points higher than others. 

• If you see a trend toward higher cut‐off points, you need to adjust your strategy. For example, you may find ways to boost your points to at least the same as the cut-off points.