To migrate to Australia through skilled visas, there is a points system called SkillSelect. The more points you have, the greater your chance of being invited to apply for a visa. This guide explains how it works and how to calculate your points.
What is SkillSelect?
SkillSelect is the online system where you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) — a declaration of interest in migrating. Australia uses your points to decide who to invite to apply for the 189 (independent), 190 (state-nominated) and 491 (regional) visas.
Invitation round data and statistics
Australia publishes data from all SkillSelect invitation rounds — how many people were invited, for which visa and with how many points. Checking these pages is essential to understand the competition and what scores have been required recently.
Where to find official invitation data
- Current and recent rounds: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Invitation Rounds
- History of previous rounds: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Previous Rounds
- 2024–25 annual program report: Migration Program Report 2024–25 (PDF)
- General immigration statistics: Administration of Immigration Programs — 15th edition (PDF)
In the round data you will find: how many people were invited, the minimum points accepted by occupation and visa, and the effective date of the EOIs called.
What recent data shows
In fiscal year 2024–25, the skilled migration program (Skill stream) delivered 132,148 places — 71.4% of the total program. A total of 22,973 Subclass 189 visa invitations (Skilled Independent) were issued. Demand remains high: there were more than 153,000 Skill stream applications in processing at the end of June 2025.
These numbers show there are places available — but competition is intense. Checking recent rounds before deciding on your strategy is essential.
Source: Migration Program Report 2024–25 — Department of Home Affairs
Points table — 2025 version
| Criterion | Condition | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18–24 years | 25 |
| ↳ | 25–32 years (ideal range) | 30 |
| ↳ | 33–39 years | 25 |
| ↳ | 40–44 years | 15 |
| ↳ | 45+ years | 0 |
| English | Competent (IELTS 6.0) | 0 |
| ↳ | Proficient (IELTS 7.0) | 10 |
| ↳ | Superior (IELTS 8.0+) | 20 |
| Australian work experience ⚠️ | 1–2 years | 5 |
| ↳ | 3–4 years | 10 |
| ↳ | 5–7 years | 15 |
| ↳ | 8+ years | 20 |
| Overseas work experience | 3–4 years | 5 |
| ↳ | 5–7 years | 10 |
| ↳ | 8+ years | 15 |
| Australian qualification | Diploma / degree in AU | 5 |
| ↳ | PhD in a strategic field | 10 |
| Partner | With qualification and proficient English | 10 |
| ↳ | Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| State nomination (190) | State nominates you | +5 |
| Regional nomination (491) | State/family in regional area | +15 |
⚠️ Australian work experience must be in the field compatible with your nominated occupation in the EOI. Experience in jobs outside your field is not counted.
This table is informational. The points system is amended periodically by the Australian government. Always check the current points on the official Department of Home Affairs website before making any decision. This does not constitute migration advice.
Minimum score by visa
| Visa | Minimum score | Realistic score to be invited (2025 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 189 — Skilled Independent | 65 points | 85–90 points (highly competitive) |
| 190 — Skilled Nominated (state) | 65 points | 70–80 points (varies by state and occupation) |
| 491 — Skilled Work Regional | 65 points | 65–75 points (more accessible) |
The score estimates above are based on historical rounds and may not reflect upcoming rounds. The Department of Home Affairs sets the cut-off for each round without prior notice. Check the data from recent rounds before acting.
Strategy for those with 65–75 points
With 65–75 points, the 491 (regional) visa is the most accessible pathway — the +15 points for regional nomination make a big difference. You live in a designated regional area for 3 years and then apply for PR via the 191 visa. Cities like Adelaide, Canberra and many cities in Queensland and South Australia qualify as regional areas.
How to improve your points
- English: each additional IELTS band (from 7.0 to 8.0) is worth +10 points in SkillSelect.
- Australian work experience: working legally in Australia accumulates points over time — but only experience in the field compatible with your nominated occupation in the EOI counts. Experience in jobs outside your field (e.g. hospitality when you declare IT) is not counted.
- Australian qualification: a postgraduate course in Australia can be worth +5 points.
- Partner with qualification: if your spouse has a degree and proficient English, +10 points.
Check on the official website
To calculate your points accurately, use the official tool from the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Points can change — always confirm on the official website before making any decision.
Strategy examples — students and couples
The path to PR is highly individual, but some profiles are common among migrants in Australia. Below are examples of possible pathways — not ready-made formulas, but starting points to think through your strategy with a migration agent.
Profile 1 — Student who arrives alone (without a partner)
Typical situation: 25–28 years old, student visa, completing a postgraduate degree or bachelor's in Australia, intermediate English.
Estimated starting points: 30 (age) + 10 (English IELTS 7.0) = 40 base points. You need 25+ more to be competitive.
Possible strategy:
- Australian qualification: completing your course in Australia is worth +5 points. If it's a PhD in a strategic field, +10.
- Australian work experience: working legally while studying and after graduating accumulates points (1–2 years = +5 pts, 3–4 years = +10).
- English: improving IELTS from 7.0 to 8.0 is worth +10 points at a relatively low cost.
- 491 regional: with ~70 points + 15 from regional nomination = 85 total. Cities like Adelaide, Canberra and several in Queensland qualify. Living in the region for 3 years → PR via 191.
Realistic timeline: 4–6 years from the start of the course to PR, depending on your occupation and English level.
Profile 2 — Couple who arrives together (both with qualifications)
Typical situation: couple, 27–33 years old, both with a degree, one with stronger English than the other.
Couple advantage in the points system: if one of the two has an Australian or overseas qualification + proficient English (IELTS 7.0+), the primary applicant gets +10 points for the qualified partner.
Possible strategy — the higher scorer leads the EOI:
- Identify which of the two has the occupation with the best CSOL and more points — that person is the primary applicant.
- The other supports: sits the IELTS to secure the partner bonus (+10 pts) and can have their own EOI as a backup.
- If both qualify, one can apply for the 189 (independent) and the other for the 190 or 491 — diversifying the pathways.
Additional strategy — use study to unlock full-time work for the primary applicant:
When one person is enrolled in certain courses in Australia, the spouse or dependant may be entitled to work without hour restrictions — full time. The primary applicant gains full freedom to work and accumulate Australian work experience.
- The primary applicant works full-time in their field — accumulating experience that counts towards SkillSelect points.
- Continuous presence in the labour market increases the chances of employer sponsorship via the SID visa (482) — opening a second pathway to PR in parallel with SkillSelect.
Important: the work conditions for the dependant vary depending on the type and level of the course. Check with a migration agent (MARN) before making this decision.
Profile 3 — Student who wants PR via employer (482/SID pathway)
Not everyone will reach the 65+ points needed for SkillSelect — and that's fine. There is another relevant pathway: the Skills in Demand (SID, formerly 482) visa, which depends on the employer and not on points.
Possible pathway:
- Work in your field of study while studying or shortly after.
- Find an employer willing to sponsor the SID visa.
- After 2–3 years on SID, the employer nominates you for the 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa → PR.
For this pathway, see the article on Skills in Demand visa (482/SID). The two pathways (points and employer) are not mutually exclusive — it is possible to pursue both simultaneously.
These are illustrative examples — not definitive strategies. The profiles above are simplifications to help visualise possibilities. Each real situation is different: specific occupation, state of residence, English level, visa history, marital status and many other factors affect the ideal pathway. Consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARN) for a personalised strategy before making any visa decision. Find registered agents at mara.gov.au.
Comments
Have something to add or a question? Leave a comment below — your experience can help other immigrants in Australia.
Comments are public. You can delete yours from the same browser and device you used to post.
Loading comments…