How PR Points Work for Skilled Visas in Australia

Points for Australian permanent residence are calculated through SkillSelect when you submit an expression of interest (EOI) for a points-tested skilled visa. The Department of Home Affairs awards points for factors including age, work experience, educational qualifications and English language proficiency, and you must meet or exceed the points threshold of 65 to be invited to apply for a Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa. Meeting the threshold does not guarantee an invitation; SkillSelect gives you an indicative points score based on the information you enter, and the final score is assessed when your EOI is submitted.

The Three Skilled Visas That Use Points

Points-based permanent residence in Australia operates through the SkillSelect system. Before you can be invited to apply for any of the following visas, you must submit an EOI:

• Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa

These are the only visas the Department of Home Affairs lists as requiring an EOI under SkillSelect. If you are not eligible for one of these skilled visas, you must explore other visa options; the EOI pathway is not a general route to permanent residence for every applicant.

The 65-Point Threshold

All three skilled visas are points based. To be invited to apply, you need to meet or exceed the points threshold of 65. This is the minimum score, not a guarantee of invitation. The Department states plainly that even if you meet the minimum points threshold, there is no guarantee you will receive an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.

Your EOI asks for information about your personal, educational and professional background. This information contributes to your points score. As you work through the EOI, you will be prompted for details that feed into the calculation.

Factors That Contribute to Your Points Score

The Department lists the following factors as contributing to your points score:

• Age
• Work experience
• Educational qualifications
• English language proficiency

These are the four categories named on the official SkillSelect page. The Department does not publish a detailed points breakdown on the expression of interest page itself; instead, it directs you to a points calculator to estimate your potential score. When you complete your EOI, SkillSelect will give you an indicative points score based on the information you have entered.

How to Calculate Your Points

The Department provides a points calculator for you to estimate your score before you submit an EOI. You can calculate your potential points score with this tool. The calculator is the official method for estimating where you stand against the 65-point threshold.

When you complete your EOI, SkillSelect will generate an indicative points score based on the information you have entered. This is not a final assessment; it is an indication derived from the data you provide. If your circumstances change, you can update your EOI at any time before receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.

What to Do If You Do Not Meet the Points Score

If you do not meet the points score and you have a partner, the Department suggests a specific course of action. Use the points calculator to see if your partner will meet or exceed the minimum points threshold. If they do, the Department advises that you suggest they submit an EOI as the primary applicant and include you as a family member.

This is the only alternative pathway the Department describes on the expression of interest page. It does not suggest other ways to increase your points score, and it does not describe any points for state nomination, regional study or other factors beyond the four listed categories.

The EOI Process Step by Step

The Department sets out a clear sequence for submitting an EOI and progressing to a visa application:

1. Start your EOI and save your personal information. The Department will email you your EOI ID and login details.
2. Add all required information, including the results of your English test and skills assessment as you receive them. Save your EOI at each step until it is complete.
3. Submit your completed EOI. If your circumstances change, you can update your EOI any time before receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
4. Receive an invitation to apply for a visa. If you are invited, you have 60 days from the date of the invitation to complete and submit a visa application online.
5. Complete your visa application and upload your documents. Submit your visa application through ImmiAccount, the Department’s digital platform for visa applications. Make sure you get your application in on time.

Before You Begin: Check Your Occupation

Before you start an EOI, the Department requires you to check that your occupation is on a skilled occupation list. The skilled occupation lists are the lists of occupations that are in high demand in Australia. Different skills lists apply to different visas, so you must confirm that your occupation is on the correct list for the visa you intend to apply for.

This is a preliminary step. The Department does not publish the skilled occupation lists on the expression of interest page; you must check them separately to confirm your occupation is eligible.

What the Points Score Does Not Tell You

The points score is only one part of the skilled visa process. The Department states that meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation. The EOI is a tool for ranking and selecting applicants, and the Department does not explain on this page how invitations are prioritised among applicants who all meet the threshold.

Your points score is also not a permanent figure. You can update your EOI at any time before receiving an invitation, which means you can correct information or add new details as your circumstances change. Once you receive an invitation, however, you have 60 days to submit your visa application.

What to Do Next and What to Verify

If you are considering a points-tested skilled visa, your first step is to check that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list. Your second step is to use the points calculator to estimate your score against the 65-point threshold. If you meet or exceed it, you can begin an EOI through SkillSelect.

Before you submit an EOI, verify the following on the official SkillSelect page:

• That your occupation is on a skilled occupation list for the visa you want
• That your estimated points score meets or exceeds 65
• That you have included your English test and skills assessment results
• That your EOI is complete before you submit it

The Department’s expression of interest page is the authoritative source for the EOI process. The points calculator and the skilled occupation lists are separate tools on the Department’s website, and you should check them directly for the most current information.