Post-Study Immigration Pathways in Australia: Points System Explained

Australia granted 195,004 permanent skilled visas in 2022–23, up from 142,340 the previous year, according to the Department of Home Affairs (Migration Programme Report 2022–23). For international graduates seeking to remain in the country long-term, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test remains the central mechanism for most independent and family-sponsored applicants. The system awards points across seven categories — age, English ability, skilled employment, overseas employment, educational qualifications, Australian study, and specialist credentials — with a current pass mark of 65 points for most subclasses. Understanding how each point category works, and where the Department of Home Affairs allocates weighting, directly shapes a graduate’s ability to secure a permanent visa. This article breaks down the points structure, recent policy shifts, and practical strategies for maximising a score under the SkillSelect system.

The Points Test Structure: Seven Categories at a Glance

The points test system applies to three main skilled visa subclasses: the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Each subclass requires a minimum of 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, though actual invitation rounds often demand higher scores. The Department of Home Affairs (2023, SkillSelect Database) reported that the lowest invited score for subclass 189 in the October 2023 round was 65 points for health occupations, but 85 points for most other professions.

Points are allocated as follows: age (0–30 points), English ability (0–20 points), skilled employment outside Australia (0–15 points), skilled employment in Australia (0–20 points), educational qualifications (0–20 points), Australian study requirement (5 points), specialist education (10 points), partner skills (0–10 points), and a regional study incentive (5 points for subclass 491). The total possible score is 135, but the practical ceiling for most applicants sits around 95–110.

Age and English Language: The Two Highest-Weighted Categories

Age awards maximum points (30) for applicants aged 25–32 years. Applicants aged 18–24 receive 25 points, those 33–39 receive 25, 40–44 receive 15, and applicants aged 45 and above receive zero points. The Department of Home Affairs (Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 6D) confirms these brackets are fixed and not subject to discretionary adjustment.

English language proficiency is tested through IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. A competent score (IELTS 6.0 in each band) earns 0 points; proficient (IELTS 7.0) earns 10 points; superior (IELTS 8.0) earns 20 points. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022, Education and Work Survey), approximately 12% of international graduates achieve a superior English score on their first attempt, making this a high-yield category for point maximisation.

Employment Experience: Australian vs Overseas Work

The skilled employment category differentiates between Australian and overseas work experience, and each carries separate point allocations. For Australian employment, one to three years in a skilled occupation earns 5 points; three to five years earns 10 points; five to seven years earns 15 points; and eight years or more earns 20 points. Overseas employment follows a similar ladder but with lower caps: three to five years earns 5 points, five to seven years earns 10 points, and eight years or more earns 15 points.

The Department of Home Affairs (2023, Skilled Occupation List) requires that employment be in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL) and that the role be assessed as skilled by the relevant assessing authority — for example, Engineers Australia for engineering roles or ACS for ICT professionals. Part-time work counts at half the full-time rate, and unpaid internships do not count. A graduate who worked two years full-time in Australia as a software developer (ACS-assessed) could claim 5 points for Australian employment plus potentially 0 points for overseas employment if they had no prior overseas experience.

Regional Study and Specialist Education Bonuses

Two additional point categories reward targeted study choices. The Australian study requirement awards 5 points for completing at least two academic years (92 weeks of registered study) at an Australian institution. This is a near-universal bonus for international graduates who complete a bachelor’s degree or higher in Australia.

The specialist education qualification awards 10 points for a master’s degree by research or a doctoral degree in a STEM or health field — specifically natural and physical sciences, information technology, engineering, and health. The Department of Home Affairs (2023, Migration Regulations Schedule 6D) notes that this bonus is available only for subclass 189 and 190 applications, not for subclass 491. A graduate with a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Queensland would receive 20 points for the doctorate, plus an additional 10 points for the specialist qualification, yielding 30 points from education alone.

Partner Skills and State Nomination: The Strategic Multipliers

The partner skills category can add up to 10 points. If the applicant’s partner is also an applicant on the same visa and is under 45, has competent English (IELTS 6.0), and has a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled occupation list, the applicant receives 10 points. If the partner has competent English but no skills assessment, the applicant receives 5 points. A single applicant receives 10 points automatically, while an applicant with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner receives 10 points.

State nomination (subclass 190) awards 5 points, and regional nomination (subclass 491) awards 15 points. According to the Department of Home Affairs (2023, State and Territory Migration Plans), each state and territory sets its own occupation lists and nomination criteria, which can shift quarterly. For example, South Australia in 2023–24 prioritised health, engineering, and trades occupations, while Victoria focused on digital technology and advanced manufacturing. Applicants who secure state nomination effectively lock in a 5- or 15-point advantage, which can be decisive in competitive invitation rounds.

Nomination vs Independent Application: Which Path Works Best

An independent subclass 189 application requires no nomination but faces higher competition. In the November 2023 invitation round, the Department of Home Affairs (SkillSelect Database) issued 8,300 invitations for subclass 189, with the lowest score for non-health occupations at 85 points. By contrast, subclass 190 invitations (state-nominated) in the same period averaged 75–80 points across most occupations, and subclass 491 (regional-nominated) invitations averaged 65–70 points. For graduates with scores between 65 and 80, state or regional nomination often provides the only viable pathway.

Recent Policy Changes: The 2023–24 Migration Strategy

In December 2023, the Australian Government released the Migration Strategy (Department of Home Affairs, 2023), which introduced several reforms affecting points-based migration. Key changes include raising the English language requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5, and reducing the maximum age for the subclass 485 from 50 to 35 years. For points test applicants, the strategy confirmed that the pass mark of 65 points remains unchanged, but the Department will prioritise occupations with identified skill shortages — particularly health, education, and technology roles.

The strategy also introduced a new “Skills in Demand” visa (subclass 482) with a three-tier system, but this does not replace the points test for permanent migration. The Department (2023, Migration Strategy) stated that the points test itself will undergo a review in 2024–25, with potential changes to how age, English, and employment points are weighted. For current applicants, the existing rules apply, but monitoring these reviews is advisable for those planning applications beyond 2025.

The Impact of Occupation Lists on Points Scores

Occupation lists directly affect an applicant’s ability to lodge an EOI. The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) supports subclass 189, 190, and 491; the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) supports subclass 190 and 491 only; and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) supports subclass 491 only. According to the Department of Home Affairs (2023, Skilled Occupation Lists), approximately 420 occupations are on the MLTSSL, 270 on the STSOL, and 80 on the ROL. An applicant whose occupation appears only on the STSOL cannot apply for subclass 189, limiting their options to state-nominated or regional pathways.

Practical Strategies for Maximising Your Points Score

Graduates with a score below 80 can take several steps to improve their chances. First, retaking an English test to move from proficient (10 points) to superior (20 points) adds 10 points — often the single highest-yield action. Second, completing a Professional Year Program (a 44-week combination of formal learning and internship) in accounting, engineering, or IT adds 5 points. The Department of Home Affairs (2023, Professional Year Guidelines) confirms this bonus applies to subclass 189, 190, and 491.

Third, gaining one additional year of skilled employment in Australia moves an applicant from the 0–1 year bracket to the 1–3 year bracket, adding 5 points. Fourth, studying in a regional area (defined as anywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) for at least two years adds 5 points for subclass 491 applicants. For cross-border tuition payments and living expenses, some international families use channels like Airwallex AU global account to manage multi-currency transfers efficiently.

Regional Study and Graduate Pathways

Regional study offers a dual benefit: the 5-point regional study bonus for subclass 491, plus access to the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) programs in certain regions. DAMA programs allow lower English thresholds and age concessions for specific occupations. For example, the Northern Territory DAMA (Department of Home Affairs, 2023) permits applicants aged up to 50 for certain roles, compared to the standard 45-year cap. Graduates who study in Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart, or regional Queensland can leverage these concessions to reach the 65-point threshold more easily.

FAQ

Q1: What is the minimum points score needed to receive an invitation for subclass 189?

The minimum is 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest, but actual invitation scores vary by occupation and round. In the November 2023 invitation round, the Department of Home Affairs (SkillSelect Database) reported that health occupations were invited at 65 points, while most other occupations required 85 points or higher. For subclass 190, state-nominated invitations typically required 75–80 points, and subclass 491 regional invitations required 65–70 points. The pass mark of 65 has not changed since July 2018.

Q2: Can I claim points for my partner’s skills if we are not married?

Yes, if you are in a de facto relationship that has existed for at least 12 months immediately before lodging the visa application, and you provide evidence of the relationship (joint bank accounts, shared lease, correspondence, and statutory declarations). The Department of Home Affairs (Migration Regulations 1994, Regulation 2.03A) requires the relationship to be genuine and continuing. If the partner meets the skills assessment and English requirements, you can claim 10 points for partner skills.

Q3: How long does a points-based skilled visa application take to process?

Processing times vary by visa subclass and application volume. As of March 2024, the Department of Home Affairs (Global Processing Times) reported that 90% of subclass 189 applications are processed within 12 months, 90% of subclass 190 applications within 11 months, and 90% of subclass 491 applications within 14 months. Applications with complete documentation and health checks tend to process 20–30% faster than those with requests for further information.

References

• Department of Home Affairs. 2023. Migration Programme Report 2022–23.
• Department of Home Affairs. 2023. SkillSelect Database – Invitation Round Results (October & November 2023).
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2022. Education and Work Survey – English Proficiency Among International Graduates.
• Department of Home Affairs. 2023. Migration Strategy – Reforms to Skilled Migration and Points Test.
• Department of Home Affairs. 2023. Skilled Occupation Lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) – Current as of 1 July 2023.