Australia PR Points Calculator 2026: Points Table for Subclass 189, 190 & 491 Visas
Updated for the 2025–26 Migration Program Year | Reviewed by Uniallies Immigration & Education Services
Australia's skilled migration points table is the starting point for every Subclass 189, 190, or 491 application. Your score is built from your age, English language ability, skilled work experience, education, and any state, regional, or family nomination — and it's this number that determines whether you're competitive in the SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) pool. Use the tables below to calculate your Australia PR points score, and read the plain-English notes under each table so you know exactly what evidence you'll need for a decision-ready application.
Reality check: the legal minimum to lodge an EOI is 65 points — but meeting the minimum does not guarantee an invitation. In practice, 2026 invitation rounds are clearing much higher for the independent stream: many 189 occupations need 85–95+ points to be invited, 190 state nomination is often realistic from 75+ points, and 491 regional nomination (worth 15 points on its own) can make applicants competitive from 65–75 base points. Treat 65 as the entry ticket, not the target.
1. Age Points
Age is scored at the time you're invited to apply, not when you lodge your EOI — so it's worth checking your EOI again as your birthday approaches, since a changed score can also change your place in the queue (see the "date of effect" note further down).
| Age at time of invitation | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 24 years | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| 25 – 32 years | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| 33 – 39 years | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| 40 – 44 years | 15 | 15 | 15 |
You can claim your age points right up until the last day of the relevant age bracket — e.g. you can still claim 25 points for age up to 39 years and 11 months.
2. English Language Points
Your English test result converts directly into points, and moving one band higher (e.g. Proficient → Superior) is usually the single fastest, most controllable way to add points to a borderline score.
| English proficiency level | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Important 2025–26 update: for English tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the required band scores for each level were revised by the Department of Home Affairs. Always check your specific test type (IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, CAE, CELPIP, LanguageCert) against the official English Language Points Criteria before booking, as older benchmark tables online may be out of date.
3. Skilled Employment Experience Points
Employment points are split between overseas and Australian experience — but they're capped in combination, so don't assume more years automatically means more points.
Overseas skilled employment (outside Australia)
| Years of experience | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 3 years | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 – 4 years | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 5 – 7 years | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 8+ years | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Australian skilled employment (in Australia)
| Years of experience | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 – 2 years | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 – 4 years | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 5 – 7 years | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 8+ years | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Points cap: your combined overseas + Australian employment points are capped at 20 points total, even if the individual tables above add up to more. Employment only counts if it was in your nominated occupation (or a closely related one) within the 10 years before invitation, and you must have held a valid substantive, Bridging A, or Bridging B visa (with conditions met) for any Australian work claimed.
4. Educational Qualification Points
| Qualification | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctorate (Australian or recognised equivalent standard) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Bachelor degree (Australian or recognised equivalent standard) | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification (Australian institution) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Qualification recognised by your assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Specialist education qualification (STEM research)
| Qualification | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters (by research) or Doctorate from an Australian institution, with at least 2 academic years in a relevant STEM/ICT field | 10 | 10 | 10 |
5. Bonus & Additional Points
These smaller, often-overlooked line items can be the difference between missing and clearing an invitation cut-off.
| Category | Requirement | Points (all subclasses) |
|---|---|---|
| Australian study requirement | Completed at least 2 years' study in Australia meeting the Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Professional Year | Completed an approved 12-month Professional Year program in Australia (ACS, CPA Australia, CAANZ, IPA, or Engineers Australia) within 48 months before invitation | 5 |
| Credentialled community language (NAATI CCL) | Accredited at paraprofessional level or above by NAATI | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | Australian qualification obtained while living and studying in a designated regional area | 5 |
6. Partner (Spouse/De Facto) Points
| Your partner's situation | Points (all subclasses) |
|---|---|
| Partner is a co-applicant, under 45, with Competent English, a matching skilled occupation, and a positive (non-485) skills assessment | 10 |
| Partner is a co-applicant with Competent English only (doesn't meet the full criteria above) | 5 |
| You're single, or your partner is already an Australian citizen/permanent resident | 10 |
7. State, Regional & Family Nomination Points — the biggest single lever
| Nomination type | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State/territory nomination | — | 5 | 15 |
| Family sponsorship (491 only, designated regional area, Minister-accepted) | — | — | 15 |
The 491's 15-point nomination/sponsorship bonus is the largest single points boost anywhere in the GSM system — for applicants sitting just under a 189 or 190 cut-off, it's often the fastest legitimate way to become invitation-competitive.
Points to Ponder — Evidence Notes
- Employment points only count if the role matches your nominated occupation (or a closely related one) and falls within the 10 years before invitation.
- Any Australian employment claimed must have been on a substantive, Bridging A, or Bridging B visa, with all conditions met.
- The specialist (research) postgraduate degree must be in Natural and Physical Sciences, Information Technology, or Engineering and Related Technologies, from an Australian institution, over at least 2 academic years.
- Professional Year points require the program to be completed within 48 months before invitation, through an approved provider.
- NAATI CCL accreditation must be at paraprofessional level or above (or equivalent certified/credentialled level) at the time of invitation.
On the horizon: the Department of Home Affairs has flagged a review of the points test — possible changes discussed publicly include greater weighting for younger applicants, stronger English results, partner skills, and (for the first time) a salary-based points component. Nothing has been legislated as of mid-2026. If your score is currently borderline, it's generally safer to lodge or update your EOI under the current, confirmed matrix rather than wait for a reform that hasn't been finalised.
Frequently Asked Questions — Australia Skilled Visa Points
- What is the minimum points score for subclass 189, 190, and 491 in 2026?
- 65 points is the legal minimum to submit an EOI for all three visas — but real invitation rounds, especially for the 189, are regularly clearing well above that.
- Does reaching 65 points guarantee an invitation?
- No. Reaching the pass mark only makes you eligible to be considered; invitations are issued by ranking within the SkillSelect pool, and rounds are highly occupation- and subclass-dependent.
- What's the fastest way to increase my points score?
- For most applicants, re-sitting an English test to move up a band (e.g. Proficient to Superior, worth 10 extra points) or securing a state/regional nomination (5 or 15 points) are the two most controllable, fastest-acting levers.
- Is age or employment experience capped?
- Age points are set by fixed brackets (max 30). Combined overseas and Australian skilled employment points are capped at 20 points total, regardless of how many years you've worked.
- Will my points change if the points test is reformed in 2026?
- Possibly, if you haven't yet been invited. Reforms under discussion are not yet legislated, so current EOIs are assessed under the existing matrix unless and until any change formally takes effect.
Not sure how your profile scores, or which of the 189, 190, or 491 pathways fits you best?
Get a free points assessment from Uniallies Immigration & Education Services →
This page is for general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Points criteria are set by the Department of Home Affairs and may change — always verify your score against the official Home Affairs website before lodging an EOI.