Points calculator

Your age on the day you are invited to apply. You must be under 45 when you are invited.

Competent English is the minimum for these visas and earns no points. It means a score of at least 6 in each of the 4 parts of IELTS (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or the same level in another approved test such as PTE Academic. You also have competent English if you are a citizen of, and hold a passport from, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.

Proficient English means at least 7 in each of the 4 parts of IELTS, or the same level in another approved test.

Superior English means at least 8 in each of the 4 parts of IELTS, or the same level in another approved test.

The test must have been taken in the 3 years before you are invited. Other tests have their own scores, listed by Home Affairs.

Paid work outside Australia in your nominated skilled occupation, or a closely related one, in the 10 years before you are invited. Count whole years.

Paid work in Australia in your nominated skilled occupation, or a closely related one, in the 10 years before you are invited. You must have held a visa that let you do that work.

A Professional Year is a structured course with an internship, done in Australia in your nominated occupation or a closely related one, completed by the time you are invited.

Choose your highest qualification. An overseas qualification counts when it is of a recognised standard.

A specialist educational qualification is a masters degree by research or a doctorate from an Australian educational institution, after at least 2 academic years of study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or information and communication technology (ICT).

You meet the Australian study requirement when you have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from 2 or more academic years of study at an Australian educational institution.

A credentialled community language qualification is a NAATI credential (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters): accredited at the paraprofessional level or above, certified at the certified provisional level or above, or a community language credential for interpreting or translating.

A qualification that meets the Australian study requirement, earned while you lived in and studied at a campus in a designated regional area.

Single, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; or your partner applies with you and has competent English (and, for the higher points, is under 45 and has a skills assessment in an occupation on the same list).