Australia Points Calculator 2026: 189, 190 & 491
Free itemised points test for Australia's skilled visas. Add age, English, work, study and partner points — get 189, 190 and 491 totals with 65+ verdicts.
Your itemised Australia points
| Points factor | Your claim | Points |
|---|
How Australia's Points Test Works
This Australia points calculator replicates the Home Affairs points test behind the three points-tested skilled visas: subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional). You claim points across age, English, skilled employment, education, partner skills and bonus study factors, then add nomination points — 5 for 190, 15 for 491 — to reach your total. The magic number is 65: the minimum score that lets you lodge an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Below 65 you cannot be invited at all; at 65 or above you enter the pool and wait for an invitation round or a state to pick you up. For the bigger picture on where Australia sits globally, see our toughest PR countries ranking and the best countries for immigration 2026 guide, or compare budgets with our visa calculator.
Crucially, 65 is a threshold, not a guarantee. Subclass 189 has no sponsor and no geographic restriction, so demand far exceeds invitations and recent rounds have typically invited at 85 to 95+ points for most occupations — a figure you should treat as approximate and verify officially on Home Affairs invitation-round updates before planning around it. Subclass 190 adds 5 nomination points and ties you to the nominating state for at least two years, with cutoffs that vary wildly by state and occupation (often 75 to 90 including nomination). Subclass 491 adds 15 points for a five-year regional provisional visa that can convert to permanent residence (subclass 191) after three years of regional living and earnings, and invitations sometimes issue near the 65 minimum in high-demand regions. The calculator shows all three totals side by side so you can see which doors your score opens.
Points Tables Used by This Calculator
Every figure below follows the published Home Affairs points tables for subclasses 189, 190 and 491. Employment must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, at least 20 hours a week, within the last 10 years — and Australian employment only counts while you held a substantive, Bridging A or Bridging B visa and complied with its conditions. Education points are for your highest qualification only. If anything below looks borderline for your case, confirm it against Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
Age at time of invitation
| Age band | Points |
|---|---|
| 25 to 32 years | 30 |
| 18 to 24 years | 25 |
| 33 to 39 years | 25 |
| 40 to 44 years | 15 |
| 45 years or older | 0 (ineligible for invitation) |
English language ability
| Level (IELTS / PTE Academic equivalent) | Points |
|---|---|
| Superior — IELTS 8+ each band / PTE 79+ | 20 |
| Proficient — IELTS 7+ each band / PTE 65+ | 10 |
| Competent — IELTS 6+ each band / PTE 50+ (usual minimum) | 0 |
Skilled employment — overseas and in Australia
| Years in last 10 years | Overseas points | Australian points |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 3 years overseas / less than 1 year in Australia | 0 | 0 |
| 3–4 years overseas / 1–2 years in Australia | 5 | 5 |
| 5–7 years overseas / 3–4 years in Australia | 10 | 10 |
| 8+ years overseas / 5–7 years in Australia | 15 | 15 |
| 8+ years in Australia | — | 20 |
Education, partner skills and nomination
| Factor | Claim | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctorate (Australian or recognised overseas) | 20 |
| Education | Bachelor, honours or masters degree | 15 |
| Education | Diploma, trade or assessed suitable qualification | 10 |
| Partner | Single, or partner is citizen/PR, or skilled partner (under 45, competent English, positive assessment) | 10 |
| Partner | Partner holds competent English only | 5 |
| Nomination | Subclass 190 state/territory nomination | 5 |
| Nomination | Subclass 491 regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship | 15 |
Bonus study and specialist factors
| Bonus factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Australian study requirement — 2+ academic years, 16+ months in Australia | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia — 2+ years while living regionally | 5 |
| Credentialled community language (NAATI) | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia — completed 12-month program | 5 |
| Specialist education — research masters or PhD in STEM at an Australian institution | 10 |
189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Subclass Fits Your Score?
Think of the three visas as one ladder with different handrails. Subclass 189 is the gold standard — independent, permanent, live anywhere — but because anyone worldwide can apply, invitations concentrate at the top of the pool and a bare 65 almost never converts. If the calculator puts your 189 total between 65 and 84, treat 189 as a lottery ticket while you actively pursue the other two. Between 85 and 95 you are competitive for many occupations; above 95 you are competitive for nearly all of them — again, approximate bands to verify against the latest official round reports.
Subclass 190 suits candidates a state actually wants: your base score plus 5 nomination points must clear 65, and you commit to living in the nominating state for at least two years. States publish their own occupation lists and invitation criteria — some prioritise local graduates, others high-point EOIs — so a 75 with state demand behind it can beat a 90 without it. Subclass 491 is the widest door: 15 extra points turn a 50-point base into a 65 that qualifies, in exchange for five years in designated regional areas and a later transition to the permanent 191 visa. Regional study, regional work and family sponsors all stack in your favour here. Track every route in our applications hub, and if you are weighing a visit first, read the tourist visa complete guide before booking anything.
Worked Totals (Check Your Result Against These)
Mid-career professional: age 30 (30) + proficient English (10) + 5 years overseas (10) + 2 years in Australia (5) + bachelor (15) + single (10) = 80 — short of comfort for 189, strong for 190 (85 with nomination) and 491 (95). Young graduate: age 24 (25) + competent English (0) + no experience (0) + bachelor (15) + single (10) + Australian study (5) = 55 — below the pool floor until English or NAATI/Professional Year points land. High-flyer: age 29 (30) + superior English (20) + 8 years overseas (15) + PhD (20) + single (10) + NAATI (5) = 100 — competitive everywhere. Remember invitation cutoffs move every round: confirm the latest SkillSelect results on Home Affairs before lodging or declining anything.
Australia Points Calculator FAQs
What is the minimum points score for Australian skilled visas?
65 points is the minimum to enter the SkillSelect pool for subclasses 189, 190 and 491. Scoring 65 makes you eligible to lodge an expression of interest, but it does not guarantee an invitation — 189 invitations routinely go to scores of 85 and above.
How many points do I need for a subclass 189 invitation?
You need at least 65 points to be in the pool, but recent SkillSelect rounds have typically invited subclass 189 candidates at 85 to 95+ points for most occupations. Treat 65 as the entry ticket and 85+ as the realistic invitation zone; always verify the latest round results on Home Affairs.
How do state nomination points work for 190 and 491?
Subclass 190 state or territory nomination adds 5 points and subclass 491 regional nomination (or eligible family sponsorship) adds 15 points to your total. These points count toward the 65-point threshold, so a 60-point base becomes 65 with 190 nomination or 75 with 491 nomination.
Which age group gets the most points in Australia?
Ages 25 to 32 score the maximum 30 points. Ages 18 to 24 score 25, ages 33 to 39 score 25, and ages 40 to 44 score 15. At 45 or older you score zero for age and cannot be invited for these points-tested visas.
How many points is superior English worth?
Superior English is worth 20 points, proficient English 10 points, and competent English zero points — though competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each band or PTE 50) is the mandatory minimum for most applicants. English is the single biggest lever most people can improve.
Do both overseas and Australian work experience count?
Yes, and they stack. Overseas skilled employment in the last 10 years scores up to 15 points (8+ years), and Australian skilled employment scores up to 20 points (8+ years). The work must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, at least 20 hours a week.
How many points does a partner add or cost?
Being single adds 10 points. Having a partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident also adds 10, as does a skilled partner under 45 with competent English and a positive skills assessment. A partner with competent English but no assessment adds 5; otherwise your partner adds nothing.
What are NAATI, Professional Year and regional study points?
Each is worth 5 points: a NAATI credentialled community language credential, a completed Professional Year in Australia, the two-year Australian study requirement, and two years of study in regional Australia. A research masters or PhD in STEM at an Australian institution adds a further 10 points.
Can I apply for 189, 190 and 491 at the same time?
Yes. One SkillSelect expression of interest can select multiple subclasses, and this calculator shows your total for all three side by side. Many candidates chase 189 while also seeking 190 state nomination or a 491 regional pathway as a backup.
Is this calculator official or legal advice?
No. It is a free planning estimate based on the published Home Affairs points tables. Skills assessments, English test validity, occupation lists and invitation cutoffs change often, so confirm everything on Home Affairs or with a registered migration agent before acting.
How We Fact-Checked This Calculator
Points values were checked on October 4, 2026 against the Department of Home Affairs points tables for subclasses 189, 190 and 491 (age 30/25/25/15, English 0/10/20, overseas employment 0/5/10/15, Australian employment 0/5/10/15/20, education 20/15/10, partner 10/5/0, 190 nomination +5, 491 nomination +15, bonus study factors 5 and STEM specialist education 10). Invitation-cutoff commentary is approximate and labelled as such — always verify the latest SkillSelect round results on Home Affairs, since cutoffs move every round.