Australian PR Points Calculator – Subclass 189

The following Australian PR points calculator table is for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), a points-based visa that lets invited skilled professionals with skills Australia needs to live and work permanently anywhere in the country. Applicants are invited to apply based on the claims made in their Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. The points system evaluates several factors including age, English proficiency, skilled employment, and more.

This visa does not require nomination by a state or territory government, or sponsorship by a family member, making it an attractive option for many applicants.

Points Breakdown:

Age

• 18-24 years: 25 points
• 25-32 years: 30 points
• 33-39 years: 25 points
• 40-44 years: 15 points

English Language Skills

• Competent English: 0 points
• Proficient English: 10 points
• Superior English: 20 points

Skilled Employment Experience

Overseas Skilled Employment (Outside Australia):

• Less than 3 years: 0 points
• 3-4 years: 5 points
• 5-7 years: 10 points
• 8+ years: 15 points

Australian Skilled Employment (In Australia):

• Less than 1 year: 0 points
• 1-2 years: 5 points
• 3-4 years: 10 points
• 5-7 years: 15 points
• 8+ years: 20 points

Note: You can only claim points for employment in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation, and for employment within the 10 years before you are invited to apply. There is a cap of 20 points for employment experience.

Educational Qualifications

• Doctorate: 20 points
• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (Recognised Qualification): 15 points
• Diploma or Trade Qualification (Australian Educational Institution): 10 points
• Qualification or Award from Recognised Authority in Skilled Occupation: 10 points

Note: Points are awarded based on your highest qualification only.

Specialist Education Qualification

• Master’s by Research or Doctorate from Australian Institution in a Relevant Field: 10 points

   Relevant fields include:

• Natural and Physical Sciences (e.g., Biological, Chemical, Mathematical Sciences)
• Information Technology (e.g., Computer Science)
• Engineering and Related Technologies (e.g., Civil, Mechanical Engineering)

Australian Study Requirement

• Completed Degree, Diploma, or Trade Qualification (Australian Institution): 5 points

The qualification must meet the Australian study requirement.

Professional Year in Australia

• Completed Professional Year in Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering: 5 points

 To qualify:

• The Professional Year must have been completed in your nominated or closely related occupation within the last 4 years.
• Must be delivered by authorised organisations such as CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, or the Australian Computer Society.

Credentialled Community Language

• Hold a Recognised Credentialled Community Language Qualification: 5 points

You must be accredited at paraprofessional or certified levels by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Study in Regional Australia

• Completed Study in a Designated Regional Area: 5 points

This applies if your qualification was obtained while living and studying in an eligible regional area of Australia. It excludes qualifications gained through distance education.

Partner Skills

• Partner Meeting Age, English, and Skills Criteria: 10 points
• Partner Meeting English Criteria Only: 5 points
• Single or Partner is an Australian Citizen/Permanent Resident: 10 points

Note: Points are awarded based on your partner’s age, English proficiency, and skilled occupation. If your relationship status changes during visa processing, your points may be reassessed.

The Australian PR Process

You can become a permanent resident of Australia by applying for and being granted a permanent visa that allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely. As an Australian permanent resident, you can:

• remain in Australia indefinitely
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Australia’s national health scheme, Medicare
• apply for bank loans to buy property
• sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
• travel to and from Australia for as long as your travel facility permits.
• work in New Zealand

Most overseas skilled professionals can become a permanent resident by gaining a work-stream permanent visa. In this article, we will focus on the Skilled Independent Visa – Points Tested Stream (Subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). It’s important to note the key difference between the two:

1. The Subclass 189 visa will let an invited skilled worker to live and work anywhere in Australia
2. A skilled overseas worker who has received a nomination from an Australian state or territory to apply for a Subclass 190 visa must commit to live and work in that state for a specific time. All state and territory government agencies have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate.

Migrating to Australia is a major life decision, and the pathway to Australian Permanent Residency (PR) involves several key steps. This process, while detailed, is designed to ensure you are well-prepared for life in Australia

Read our comprehensive guide to help you navigate the journey towards Australian PR.

Amitava Deb

• Amitava is a gold medallist from India’s premier technical institute, IIT Kharagpur.
• He has worked with some of the world’s top companies such as Sony Australia Pty. Ltd., Siemens AG Germany, Clarity International Ltd., Reliance Communications and Optus Sydney.
• Amitava is a Chartered Professional Engineer accredited by Engineers Australia. He is a full member of this esteemed association.
• He is a member of the Australian Computer Society, Tele Management Forum and Worldwide Institute of Software Architects.
• Amitava is a well-recognised name in the ICT Professional Community in Australia.