On 1 July 2011 the Australian Government introduced a new points test for skilled migration to Australia.  Its goal is to attract skilled migrants with high English language proficiency and significant work experience in their field.

Under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test system, all skills visa applicants are required to meet certain basic 'threshold criteria.' In addition, most of the General Skilled Migration visa subclasses require applicants to meet the applicable pass mark in General Skilled Migration points.  For this reason, General Skilled Migration Australian visas are often referred to as 'points tested' visas.

Visa Subclasses affected by points test

The new points test applies to skills visa applications for the following General Skilled Migration visa subclasses:

• Subclass 885 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 175 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 176 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored 
• Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored
• Subclass 475 Skilled Regional Sponsored  (Off-Shore)

If you are considering applying for a skilled migration visa from overseas, you can use our FREE Visa Eligibility Assessment to find out more about the basic visa criteria and your likely points award under the new points test. 

If you are considering applying for a State sponsored skilled migration visa from overseas, you can use our FREE 176 State Sponsorship Search Tool to find out instantly if your nominated occupation is included on any of the available State or Territory Migration Plans.

Skilled Migration - basic eligibility requirements

• Be younger than 50 years of age.
• Be qualified in an occupation listed on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (demonstrated by having a suitable skills assessment from an authorised skills assessment body in Australia). 
• Achieve a minimum English Language Level of ‘Competent’ (6.0 in all 4 sections of the IELTS test, an OET test score of ‘B’ or holder of specified passport from an English speaking nation).
• Have recent (at least 12 months in the 24 months before you apply) work experience in an occupation on the applicable Skilled Occupation List.
• Score at least 65 points on the points test.
• Meet health and character requirements.

How the new points test works

1. Age points

2. English language points

While the minimum requirement to apply for skilled migration is met simply by holding a passport from an English-speaking nation, if you need points for high level English you will need an IELTS test result of 7.0 or 8.0 (in all 4 sections). This means that even if you hold a UK passport (for example), you must sit an IELTS test to claim English language points under the new points test.

3. Work experience points

Under the points test you are only allocated points for work experience completed in your nominated occupation while working more than 20 hours per week at work that reflects the key duties and responsibilities consistent with that of your occupation.  

The total points you can claim for your Australian and overseas work experience combined is fixed at 20 points.

4. Qualification points 

5. Australian study, regional study and professional year points

6. Partner points

7. Sponsorship points

Subclass 475 Designated Area points

Since 1 July 2011, the new points test operates to award applicants for the 475 visa the same number of points as State-sponsored applicants (10 points), and applicants for the subclass 475 Skilled Designated Area visa must now meet the same pass mark as Skilled Independent migrants.

Subclass 176 Sponsored points

However, under the previous points test, as with applicants for the subclass 475 visa, applicants for the subclass 176 visa with a relative sponsor and a State sponsor enjoyed a significantly lower pass mark than Skilled Independent visa applicants (100 points compared to 120 points). 

Since 1 July 2011, the new points test operates such that applicants for the subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored visa must now meet the same pass mark as Independent Skilled migrants. In the case of State-sponsored applicants, the award of additional points under the points test as well as priority processing means applicants for the subclass 176 visa have a significant advantage over applicants for the Skilled Independent visa. However, given applicants with a relative sponsor receive no points for their sponsorship and no reduction in the pass mark, perhaps their only advantage is a possible right to an appeal if their application is unsuccessful.