Age (0-30 points)
25-32 band: 30 points. 18-24: 25 points. 33-39: 25 points. 40-44: 15 points. 45+: zero. The single largest factor.
Subclass 189 · Points Out of 130 · 65-85 Invitation Range
The 189 points test decides whether you are competitive.
A 75-point profile often gets invited. A 65-point profile often waits indefinitely. Understanding where every point comes from and where you are losing points you could be claiming is the difference. Our skilled migration specialist Gurjeev Bhalla handles 189 strategy.
Where points come from
Five main categories.
Most points come from age, English, work experience, and qualifications. Bonus points from partner skills, NAATI, regional study, and state nomination top up the score.
English (0-20 points)
Proficient (IELTS 7): 10 points. Superior (IELTS 8): 20 points. Gap between competent (0 points) and proficient is large. PTE and TOEFL equivalents accepted.
Skilled work experience (0-20 points)
Overseas: up to 15 points for 8+ years. Australian: up to 20 points for 8+ years. Combined totals possible.
Qualifications (0-20 points)
Doctorate: 20. Bachelor or Masters: 15. Diploma or trade: 10. Recognised qualification required. See skill assessments.
State nomination and regional (varies)
Nomination adds points on specific visa types. Regional study adds 5 points. Credentialled community language (NAATI) adds 5 points.
Partner skills (0-10 points)
Partner with skills assessment and English adds 10 points. Partner with English only adds 5. Single applicants add 10.
Current invitation thresholds
65-85 points depending on occupation.
The Department invites applicants in order of points. High-demand occupations have lower thresholds; common occupations require higher scores.
High-demand occupationsNurses, some engineers, teachers. 65-75 points can be competitive.
Mid-demand occupationsMany IT, accounting, business roles. 75-85 points typically needed.
Common occupationsAccountants, some IT roles, business analysts. 85+ points often required.
Pro-rata arrangementsSome occupations have allocation limits. Competitive pool applies. Higher thresholds within those occupations.
How to increase your score
Three practical points-boosters.
Most applicants can find additional points with the right strategy.
Superior English
Moving from competent (0 points) to superior (20 points) is often the biggest single gain available. Multiple test attempts worth it.
Partner skills assessment
If your partner has a skilled occupation, their skills assessment adds 10 points to your application. Worth the cost for many applicants.
NAATI credential
The credentialled community language test through NAATI adds 5 points. Works for applicants with strong language skills.
Age points decline sharply after 39.
A 32-year-old competitive applicant at 80 points becomes a 40-year-old at 65 points with no other changes. Lodging before age category drops is often worth significant effort. Planning around age thresholds can be the difference between invitation and indefinite wait.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For 189 points strategy, book with Gurjeev Bhalla or Sourabh Aggarwal.
How do I know what score my occupation needs?
Occupation invitation thresholds are published by the Department after each round. Trends are visible. For a current estimate based on your occupation and circumstances, book a consultation.
Can I claim points for work experience before my qualification?
Only skilled experience counts. If your qualification is post-dated experience, earlier experience may not count for points. Depends on ANZSCO interpretation and skills assessment.
Does state nomination improve my 189 chances?
What if my partner is Australian?
Australian citizen or PR partner does not add points but the applicant can explore partner visa or other pathways in parallel. See partner visa.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.