This free Australia PR points calculator works out your skilled migration (GSM) points for the subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas, using the official Home Affairs points table. You need at least 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). A 190 state nomination adds 5 points and a 491 regional nomination or family sponsorship adds 15, so the calculator shows your score for all three visas at once.
Important: points rules can change. This calculator follows the current Department of Home Affairs points tables (189 table last updated 11 June 2026; 190 and 491 tables last updated 16 July 2026; checked 20 October 2026). The government has announced a new points test from 1 July 2027, and the rules may be updated before then.
Always confirm on the official Home Affairs points table before you lodge an EOI. Your result is an estimate and general information only, not migration advice.
Australia PR points calculator (189, 190 and 491)
Answer the 6 main factors and tick any extra points. Your scores update as you go.
Age is assessed on the day you are invited, not when you lodge your EOI. Ages 25 to 32 score the maximum 30.
Equivalent scores in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET and Cambridge C1 Advanced are also accepted. Your test must be valid at the time of invitation.
Only paid work of at least 20 hours a week in your nominated or a closely related occupation counts.
Overseas and Australian employment points combined are capped at 20. The calculator applies the cap for you.
Points are given for your highest qualification only. A Masters scores the same 15 points as a Bachelor degree; overseas qualifications must be of a recognised standard.
7. Extra points (tick all that apply)
Your estimated points
0 of 6 main factors answered
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How Australian PR points are calculated
The Australian points test applies to the three main General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas: the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). You claim points in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest for age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, partner skills and other factors. Points are assessed at the time you are invited, and you must be able to prove every claim when you lodge your visa application.
The pass mark is 65 points, but meeting it only lets you lodge an EOI. SkillSelect invites the highest-ranked EOIs in each occupation, so most 189 invitations go to applicants well above 65. States and territories choose who to nominate for the 190 and 491 using their own criteria, and some rank applicants with their own points system, such as Victoria's Victorian Points Test.
Australian points test table (current until 30 June 2027)
| Factor | Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 to 24 | 25 |
| 25 to 32 | 30 | |
| 33 to 39 | 25 | |
| 40 to 44 | 15 | |
| 45 or over | Not eligible | |
| English | Competent | 0 |
| Proficient | 10 | |
| Superior | 20 | |
| Skilled employment outside Australia (last 10 years) | Less than 3 years | 0 |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 | |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 | |
| At least 8 years | 15 | |
| Skilled employment in Australia (last 10 years) | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 | |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 | |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 | |
| At least 8 years | 20 | |
| Employment cap | Overseas and Australian employment combined | Max 20 |
| Qualifications | Doctorate | 20 |
| Bachelor or Masters degree | 15 | |
| Australian diploma or trade qualification, or a qualification recognised by your assessing authority | 10 | |
| Specialist education | Australian Masters by research or PhD in a STEM or specified ICT field (2+ academic years) | 10 |
| Australian study requirement | At least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification meeting the requirement | 5 |
| Professional Year | Completed in Australia in Accounting, ICT or Engineering in the 4 years before invitation | 5 |
| Credentialled community language | NAATI credential | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | Australian study requirement met while living and studying in a designated regional area | 5 |
| Partner skills | Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Partner under 45 with Competent English and a skills assessment in an occupation on the same list | 10 | |
| Partner with Competent English only | 5 | |
| Nomination or sponsorship | Subclass 190 state or territory nomination | 5 |
| Subclass 491 state or territory nomination, or eligible family sponsorship | 15 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs points tables for the 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Common points-claiming mistakes
- Counting experience your skills assessment doesn't recognise. Many assessing authorities set a "skilled date"; work before it usually can't be claimed.
- Rounding up employment. Count exact dates. Two years and eleven months is not three years.
- Letting your English test or skills assessment expire before the invitation date.
- Claiming partner points without your partner's own skills assessment, or for an occupation on a different list.
- Overclaiming. If you're invited on points you can't prove, your visa can be refused. Points are checked at the time of invitation.
Not sure about a claim? Read our guide on whether 65, 70 or 75 points is enough for the 189, 190 or 491, follow the latest 2026–27 invitation rounds, or book a consultation to have your EOI checked before you lodge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Australian PR points calculated?
You add up points for age (up to 30), English (up to 20), skilled employment (up to 20 combined), qualifications (up to 20), partner skills (up to 10) and extra factors such as Australian study, a Professional Year, a NAATI community language or regional study (5 to 10 points each). A 190 state nomination adds 5 points and a 491 nomination or family sponsorship adds 15.
What is the minimum points score for a 189, 190 or 491 visa?
The minimum is 65 points for all three visas, including any nomination points. Meeting 65 lets you lodge an Expression of Interest, but invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs, so you often need more than 65 to be invited.
Is 65 points enough for Australian PR?
65 points is enough to lodge an EOI, but it is rarely enough for a 189 invitation, because SkillSelect invites the highest scores in each occupation first. With 65 points, a 190 or 491 state nomination is usually the more realistic pathway, depending on your occupation and the state's criteria.
Is 75 points enough for a 189 visa?
It depends on your occupation and on each invitation round, because cut-offs differ widely between occupations and change from round to round. Check the official SkillSelect invitation round results for your occupation, and consider a 190 or 491 nomination in parallel.
Does a Masters degree give more points than a Bachelor degree?
No. A Bachelor or Masters degree both score 15 points. A Doctorate scores 20. An Australian Masters by research or PhD in a STEM or specified ICT field can add 10 specialist education points on top.
Is there a cap on work experience points?
Yes. Overseas and Australian skilled employment points combined are capped at 20, even if your separate claims add up to more. Only employment in your nominated or a closely related occupation, for at least 20 hours a week in the last 10 years, counts.
How many points does state nomination add?
A subclass 190 state or territory nomination adds 5 points. A subclass 491 regional nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a designated regional area, adds 15 points.
Will the Australian points test change in 2027?
Yes. The government has announced a new points test model from 1 July 2027. This calculator uses the current points table, which applies until then. Read our guide to the 2027 points test reform for what is expected to change.