Australia has long been a top destination for skilled workers looking to build a secure future. With its thriving economy, multicultural society, and high standard of living, the country attracts thousands of professionals each year through its Skilled Migration Program.
If you’re considering applying for a skilled visa, two critical things you must understand are the requirements and the points calculator system used by the Australian government to select the most qualified candidates.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the Skilled Visa Australia requirements, explain how the points calculator works, and show how Rozario Enterprises can help maximize your chances of success.
What is the Australia Skilled Migration Program?
The Skilled Migration Program is designed to address Australia’s labor shortages by inviting qualified professionals in high-demand occupations to migrate permanently. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, skilled visas allow you to live and work in Australia independently, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
The main visa subclasses under this program are:
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa (no sponsorship required).
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa (requires state/territory nomination).
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (requires regional nomination or eligible relative sponsorship).
Each of these visas requires applicants to meet a minimum points score to be considered.
General Skilled Visa Australia Requirements
Before you can apply, you must satisfy the following basic criteria:
1. Age Limit
- You must be under 45 years old when you receive your invitation.
2. Occupation in Demand
- Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupation List, published by the Department of Home Affairs.
3. Skills Assessment
- You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
4. English Language Proficiency
- You must prove your English proficiency by taking a recognized test such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
- Higher scores can increase your overall points.
5. Points Test
- You must score at least 65 points on the Australia Skilled Migration Points Calculator.
6. Health and Character Requirements
- Undergo medical examinations.
- Provide police clearance certificates.
Understanding the Australia Skilled Migration Points Calculator
The points test is a ranking system that evaluates your eligibility for a skilled visa. Invitations are issued to those with the highest scores.
Here’s how points are awarded:
1. Age (Maximum 30 points)
- 18–24 years: 25 points
- 25–32 years: 30 points
- 33–39 years: 25 points
- 40–44 years: 15 points
2. English Language Skills (Maximum 20 points)
- Competent English: 0 points
- Proficient English: 10 points
- Superior English: 20 points
3. Skilled Employment (Work Experience) (Maximum 20 points)
- Overseas work (3–5 years): 5 points
- Overseas work (5–8 years): 10 points
- Overseas work (8+ years): 15 points
- Australian work (1–3 years): 5 points
- Australian work (8+ years): 20 points
4. Educational Qualifications (Maximum 20 points)
- Doctorate: 20 points
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree: 15 points
- Diploma or trade qualification: 10 points
5. Australian Study Requirements (5 points)
- Completion of at least two years of study in Australia.
6. Specialist Education Qualification (10 points)
- Postgraduate degree in a specialist field like STEM.
7. Partner Skills (Maximum 10 points)
- If your partner is under 45, has competent English, and a positive skills assessment in a listed occupation, you can claim up to 10 points.
8. Nomination or Sponsorship (5–15 points)
- State/territory nomination (Subclass 190): 5 points.
- Regional sponsorship (Subclass 491): 15 points.
Example of a Points Calculation
Let’s take an example of a candidate:
- Age: 29 years → 30 points
- English (Proficient) → 10 points
- Work experience (6 years overseas) → 10 points
- Bachelor’s degree → 15 points
- Partner with skills → 10 points
- No nomination (applying for Subclass 189) → 0 points
Total Score = 75 points
This candidate would be eligible for an invitation, as the score exceeds the minimum 65 points.
How to Increase Your Points Score
If your current points are low, here are strategies to boost them:
- Improve English Test Scores: Aim for Superior English to gain 20 points.
- Gain More Work Experience: Additional years can increase your score.
- Pursue Higher Education: Completing a postgraduate degree can add more points.
- NAATI – complete an eligible community language accreditation
- Apply with a Skilled Partner: Partner’s skills can add up to 10 points.
- Seek Nomination or Sponsorship: Applying for Subclass 190 or 491 gives extra points.
Skilled Visa Processing Times & Costs
- Processing Time: Typically 8–12 months (can vary depending on demand).
- Visa Cost: AUD 4,910 for the main applicant.
- Additional costs apply for dependents, medicals, and English tests.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
- Submitting incomplete or incorrect documentation.
- Miscalculating points and over-claiming.
- Choosing the wrong occupation code for skills assessment.
- Waiting too long to improve points while competition increases.
Why Choose Rozario Enterprises?
Applying for an Australian skilled visa can be complex and competitive. At Rozario Enterprises, we help applicants navigate the process with confidence by:
- Assessing eligibility and providing a clear roadmap.
- Accurately calculating points to avoid mistakes.
- Assisting with skills assessments from recognized authorities.
- Guiding English test preparation to maximize points.
- Preparing complete visa applications with proper documentation.
- Providing end-to-end support until your visa decision.
Our goal is to make your migration journey smoother, faster, and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the Skilled Visa Australia requirements and how the points calculator works is the first step toward building your future in Australia. While meeting the minimum 65 points makes you eligible, higher scores greatly improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
With professional assistance from Rozario Enterprises, you can avoid common pitfalls, maximize your points, and approach the application process with confidence.
If you’re ready to begin your skilled migration journey, contact Rozario Enterprises today. Our experienced team will guide you every step of the way and help turn your dream of living in Australia into reality.
DISCLAIMER: The above is generic in nature and MUST NOT be the only information relied upon to make your decision to apply. You need to contact our office to make an appointment with our Registered Migration Agent for a specific solution tailored to your situation.
