Skilled Migration Points Calculator — Australia 2026
Indicative points calculator for the General Skilled Migration program — Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional). Calculates your indicative total based on age, English, qualifications, work experience, Australian study, partner skills, and nomination.
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
Indicative only — does not guarantee invitation. 65 is the minimum to lodge an EOI. Actual invitation rounds typically require materially more points and vary by occupation and visa subclass. A positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant list is a separate prerequisite. This calculator is general information and does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022).
Your indicative points score
Reminder: 65 is the minimum to lodge an EOI. Actual invitations require materially more in most occupations. A positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant list is a separate prerequisite.
Discuss your result
Submit the form below if you'd like Keshab to review your situation — including which assessing authority applies to your occupation, the realistic invitation cut-off for your occupation, and whether state or regional nomination would lift your score.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Australian skilled migration points test?
The points test is the eligibility framework used for the General Skilled Migration program — Subclasses 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (Skilled Nominated), and 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional). It awards points across several categories: age, English language ability, skilled employment, education, Australian study, specialist education, community language credentials, regional study, partner skills, and nomination/sponsorship. The minimum eligibility threshold to lodge an EOI (Expression of Interest) is currently 65 points; actual invitation rounds typically require materially more, varying by occupation and visa subclass.
What is the minimum points score I need to be invited?
The legal minimum to lodge an EOI for the 189, 190 or 491 is 65 points. However, hitting 65 does not guarantee an invitation — actual invitation cut-offs vary by occupation, visa subclass, and current invitation rounds, and have often required 80+ for many occupations. Some state-nominated and regional pathways apply lower effective cut-offs. The Department's published invitation rounds are the best source for current practical thresholds for your occupation.
Why doesn't hitting 65 points guarantee an invitation?
65 is the floor to lodge an EOI, not a guarantee of selection. The Department issues invitations based on a ranking of EOIs, prioritising higher-scoring candidates within each occupation and subclass. For competitive occupations (many ICT and accounting roles, for example), practical cut-offs have run well above 65. For less-competitive occupations on state nomination or regional pathways, the cut-off can be at or near the minimum. Each invitation round is published with cut-off data — check the Department's website for current practical thresholds for your specific occupation.
Do I need a positive skills assessment before claiming points?
Yes. To claim points for skilled employment or qualifications, you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. The assessment is a separate process from the visa application and the points test. Without a positive assessment, you can't lodge an EOI for the 189/190/491. The right authority depends on the occupation — ACS for ICT, ANMAC for nurses, Engineers Australia for engineers, VETASSESS for many professional and trade occupations, TRA for trades, AMC for doctors, AITSL for teachers. See our skills assessment guide.
Is the calculator accurate?
The calculator uses the points values set out in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 6D and related provisions) as currently published. The calculation reflects the rules at the time of writing. Government rules change — verify your specific score against the Department of Home Affairs published criteria before relying on the result. This tool produces an indicative score only and does not constitute migration advice.
Can I claim partner points if I'm single or my partner is Australian?
Yes. If you are single (no partner) or your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you can claim 10 points. If your partner is a foreign national meeting Competent English but no skills assessment, you can claim 5 points. If your partner is a foreign national who meets all of: under 45, Competent English, and a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant list, you can claim the full 10 points.
What's the difference between the 189, 190 and 491?
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is permanent residence based purely on points and skills — no nomination required. Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) requires nomination from a state or territory and adds 5 points; offers permanent residence. Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional) requires nomination from a state or family in a designated regional area and adds 15 points; it's a 5-year provisional visa with a pathway to PR via the 191 after 3 years of regional living and working.
What does WIDEN do with this calculator result?
Nothing automatic. The calculator runs entirely in your browser — the points score isn't sent anywhere unless you choose to submit the contact form below. If you submit, the score and your contact details are received by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) who will respond personally. Migration advice is provided only after a paid consultation under section 43 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42).
Related
General information only. Points values are drawn from the Migration Regulations 1994 and the Department of Home Affairs published criteria current at the time of writing. Rules change — verify current values at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before relying on the result.
This calculator produces an indicative score only. It does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022) and does not guarantee invitation. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins.
Skills assessment is a separate prerequisite. A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required to claim points for employment and qualifications. The points test does not by itself qualify any applicant for invitation. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.