The Australian PR Points System creates international standards and establishes the skill assessment results for a particular occupation. Each foreign traveler wishing to apply for the Australian Skilled Employment Visa (Subclass 189, 190, or 491) is required to participate in the skilled migration points test.
What is the Australia PR Points System?
The Australia PR Points System introduces a special skills assessment that should be taken by every foreign citizen applying for the Skilled Employment Visa for Australia. It was launched by the Department of Home Affairs to assess the particular skills of those wishing to reside permanently in Australia. The skilled migration points test determines whether they are eligible for the visa.
The PR Points Calculator for Australia visa is not complicated – the applicant is given a particular number of points depending on various factors, such as their age, competent English language proficiency, education history, and previous employment. To be considered eligible for the Australian Permanent Resident Visa, the applicant must obtain at least 65 points in the test.
Nevertheless, receiving a score of at least 65 points on the skilled migration points test does not guarantee the applicant will be given an Australian visa. The more PR points the applicant scores, the higher the chance they will be invited to apply for the Permanent Resident Visa. The final decision depends on many factors, such as occupation demand and the number of applicants.
If you have any questions, it is recommended to visit the official website of the Australian Government for further information. There, you will also find the latest updates on the topic of permanent immigration to Australia and temporary trips abroad.
What Australian visa types does the PR Points System involve?
Currently, you need to use the PR Points System Calculator while applying for three selected Australian visa types. Remember, if your score is too low, you cannot proceed with the visa application procedure. The trade qualification test should be taken if you need:
- Subclass 189 – Australia Skill Independent Visa – Visa issued to New Zealand, Hong Kong, and British National Overseas passport holders, providing they have the essential skills required for the occupation. Allows them to permanently reside in Australia.
- Subclass 190 – Australia Skilled Nominated Visa – Visa issued to international workers taking up nominated skilled occupation. Allows them to permanently reside in Australia.
- Subclass 491 – Australia Skilled Work Regional Visa – Visa issued for skilled applicants nominated directly by a state or territory government. Allows them to temporarily or permanently reside in Australia.
The Australia PR Points Calculator
In the tables below, you can find more information about the Australia PR Points obtainable while applying for an Australian Visa Subclass 189, Subclass 190, or Subclass 491. Verify the checked criteria to ensure your application scores a minimum of 65 points.
Number of PR Points in basic categories
Age:
- Between 18 and 25 years – 25 points
- Between 25 and 33 years – 30 points
- Between 33 and 40 years – 25 points
- Between 40 and 45 years – 15 points
English skill:
- Competent English – 0 points
- Proficient English – 10 points
- Superior English – 20 points
Skilled employment outside Australia:
- Less than 3 years – 0 points
- Between 3 and 5 years – 5 points
- Between 5 and 8 years – 10 points
- More than 8 years – 15 points
Number of PR Points in additional categories
Skilled employment in Australia:
- Less than 1 year – 0 points
- Between 1 and 3 years – 5 points
- Between 3 and 5 years – 10 points
- Between 5 and 8 years – 15 points
- More than 8 years – 20 points
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that you can claim PR Points for employment only if it was performed in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related occupation. Moreover, the work must be performed in the last 10 years before the Australia visa application, and the applicant should engage in the specific occupation for remuneration for at least 20 hours a week.
The applicant’s closely related occupation must be either in the same ANZSCO Unit Group as the employment taken up in Australia or consistent with a career pathway or officially recognized by an assessing authority as part of their nominated skills assessment.
Educational qualifications:
- Doctorate (PhD) from an Australian educational institution – 20 points
- Doctorate (PhD) from an educational institution of a recognized standard – 20 points
- Bachelor’s degree from an Australian educational institution – 15 points
- Bachelor’s degree from an educational institution of a recognized standard – 15 points
- Master’s degree from an Australian educational institution with 2 years of study – 10 points
- Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution with 2 years of study – 10 points
- Diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution – 10 points
- Qualification recognized by the relevant authority for a skill suitable for occupation – 10 points
IMPORTANT: The assessing authority will determine whether the applicant’s educational qualifications are comparable to the relevant Australian citizen qualification. If you have an overseas qualification at the bachelor level or above, you may contact the Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services (VETASSESS) for further information.
What is more, the postgraduate degree by research (Doctorate or Master’s degree) must be awarded from an Australian education institution after at least 2 years of academic study in the fields of natural sciences, physical sciences, information technology, or engineering.
Additional qualifications:
- Being single – 10 points
- Partner is an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident – 10 points
- Partner also applies for an Australian visa and meets age, language, and skill criteria – 10 points
- Partner also applies for an Australian visa and has competent English skills – 5 points
- At least 1 degree, diploma, or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution – 5 points
- Qualification recognized by the relevant authority in a credentialled community language – 5 points
- Completion of a Professional Year Program in Australia – 5 points
How many PR Points are required for an Australian Visa?
The minimum PR Points requirement to apply for the Australian Permanent Resident Visa is usually 65 points. However, meeting the score requirements does not guarantee you receive the invitation to take part in the visa application procedure – you still need the state nomination and ANZSCO code.
What is more, if you wish to apply for a particular Australian visa subclass, a different amount of PR Points may be necessary. Naturally, it is recommended to always aim for the highest score possible.
- Subclass 189 – obtain at least 65 points yourself
- Subclass 190 – obtain at least 60 points yourself, 5 points from the state or territory government
- Subclass 491 – obtain at least 50 points yourself, 15 points from the Australian regional area
You must remember that receiving an invitation to take part in the Australia visa application varies depending on several factors, such as particular occupation demand, number of other applicants, or current occupation ceilings. If you fail to obtain the mandatory visa on the first try, it is highly recommended to check another time.
