Points Test: How to Maximise Your Score

Why Your Points Score Is Everything

For points-tested visas (189, 190, and 491), your points score determines whether you receive an invitation to apply. The minimum threshold is 65 points, but in 2026, the practical threshold for most occupations is 80 to 95 points for the 189 visa. Even the 190 and 491 require competitive scores to secure state nomination.

Every single point matters. The difference between 80 and 85 points could be the difference between waiting months for an invitation or never receiving one at all. This guide breaks down every points category and gives you practical strategies to maximise your score — even if you think you have reached your limit.

The full points test is detailed on the Department of Home Affairs points table.

Complete Points Breakdown

Age Points

Your age is assessed at the time you are invited to apply (not when you submit your EOI).

Strategy: You cannot change your age, but you can be strategic about timing. If you are 24, waiting until you turn 25 gains you 5 extra points. If you are 32, you should submit your EOI before your 33rd birthday to lock in 30 points. If you are approaching 45, speed is critical — once you turn 45, you are permanently ineligible for points-tested visas.

English Language Ability

English is often the highest-impact factor you can improve.

Strategy: This is the single most impactful area for most immigrants. Moving from competent to proficient adds 10 points. Moving from competent to superior adds 20 points. Here is how to improve:

1. Take PTE Academic instead of IELTS — Many test-takers find PTE easier, especially for writing and speaking. The computer-based format is more predictable.
2. Invest in a preparation course — E2Language, PTE Magic, and other platforms offer targeted preparation. Budget $200 to $500 for a good course.
3. Take the test multiple times — There is no limit on how many times you can sit the test. Many people achieve their target score on their second or third attempt.
4. Focus on your weakest band — You need the required score in EVERY band. If writing is your weakness, dedicate 80% of your preparation time to writing.
5. Set a realistic timeline — Budget 2 to 3 months of dedicated preparation to move up one level. Moving from 6.0 to 7.0 is achievable for most people with focused effort.

Skilled Employment Experience

Work experience in your nominated occupation (or a closely related one) earns points. Australian experience is weighted more heavily than overseas experience.

Overseas skilled employment (in the last 10 years):

Australian skilled employment (in the last 10 years):

Strategy: Experience points accumulate over time, so every additional year matters. For immigrants already in Australia on temporary visas:

• Work full-time in your nominated occupation — Part-time work may not count fully
• Keep impeccable records — Payslips, tax returns, employment contracts, and detailed reference letters for every role
• Ensure your role matches your nominated occupation — Working as a "developer" but performing mostly project management tasks may not count toward a Software Engineer assessment
• Count overseas experience accurately — Experience must be post-qualification and in the nominated occupation

Educational Qualifications

Strategy: If you have a bachelor's degree, you already have 15 points. The jump from bachelor's to PhD earns only 5 extra points — which is generally not worth years of additional study purely for points purposes. However, if you are planning further study anyway, choosing a Master's by research or PhD can have compounding benefits:

• 20 points for the qualification
• Additional points for Australian study requirement (if completed in Australia)
• STEM specialist qualification bonus (if applicable)

Australian Study Requirement

If you completed at least 2 academic years of study (92 weeks of course duration, 16 months of study) at an Australian institution, you earn 5 points.

Strategy: This is particularly relevant for graduates on 485 visas. If you completed a bachelor's or master's degree in Australia, you automatically qualify. If you completed a shorter program (like a Graduate Diploma), check whether it meets the 92-week threshold.

Specialist Education Qualification

A Master's by research or PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) from an Australian institution earns an additional 10 points.

Strategy: This is a strong incentive if you are considering further study. A STEM Master's by research can earn you 15 (qualification) + 5 (Australian study) + 10 (specialist education) = 30 points from education alone.

Credentialled Community Language

If you are proficient in a community language, you can earn 5 points by passing the NAATI credentialling test. Community languages include (but are not limited to):

• Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali
• Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese
• Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Turkish
• Spanish, Portuguese, French
• Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Filipino
• Swahili, Amharic, Somali
• Russian, Ukrainian, Polish

Strategy: This is one of the easiest ways for multilingual immigrants to gain extra points. The NAATI test costs approximately $800 and assesses your ability to translate or interpret between English and your community language. If you are already fluent in both languages, you may only need a few weeks of preparation.

Important: The NAATI test is not just about fluency — it tests specific translation and interpreting skills. Practice with sample papers and consider a short preparation course.

Professional Year in Australia

Completing an approved Professional Year program earns 5 points. Professional Year programs are available for:

• Accounting
• ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
• Engineering

These programs are 44 weeks long and include formal learning, work experience, and professional development. They typically cost AUD $10,000 to $15,000.

Strategy: Professional Year is most valuable for international graduates who need extra points and are already in Australia on a 485 visa. The cost is significant, but the 5 points plus the work experience gained can make the difference. Factor in the time cost — 44 weeks is nearly a year of your 485 visa.

Study in Regional Australia

If you completed at least 2 years of study at a campus in regional Australia (outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane), you earn 5 points.

Strategy: This bonus rewards students who chose regional universities. If you are planning future study, consider institutions in Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Gold Coast, or other regional areas to capture this bonus.

Partner Skills

Your partner's skills can contribute points:

Strategy: This is often overlooked. If you are single, you automatically get 10 points. If you have a partner, it is worth investing in their English test and skills assessment to maximise your joint score. Even if your partner does not need their own visa, getting them to competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent) earns you 5 points.

State or Territory Nomination

Strategy: If your base score is not competitive for the 189, seriously consider the 190 (adds 5) or 491 (adds 15). The 491 in particular can transform a borderline candidate into a strong one.

Your Points Maximisation Action Plan

Based on your current situation, here is a prioritised plan:

Quick Wins (1-3 months)

1. Retake your English test — Aim for at least proficient (IELTS 7 / PTE 65). This is the fastest way to gain 10 to 20 points.
2. Apply for NAATI community language credential — If you speak a community language, this is 5 relatively easy points.
3. Update your EOI — If you have gained more experience since submitting, update your EOI to claim additional points.
4. Consider the 190 or 491 — If you are targeting the 189 but your score is borderline, pivoting to the 190 or 491 adds 5 or 15 points.

Medium-Term Strategies (3-12 months)

1. Build more Australian work experience — Every year of Australian experience in your nominated occupation adds points.
2. Get your partner assessed — If your partner has competent English and a qualifying occupation, their assessment can add 10 points.
3. Start a Professional Year — If eligible, 5 points in 44 weeks.
4. Complete bridging education — If an Australian qualification would improve your skills assessment or add specialist education points.

Long-Term Investments (12+ months)

1. Further study in Australia — A Master's by research in STEM can add up to 30 points from education factors alone.
2. Accumulate more work experience — Time is on your side if you are young enough. Each additional year of skilled work adds points.

Real-World Example: From 65 to 90 Points

Meet Priya, a 29-year-old ICT Business Analyst from India with 5 years of experience:

Starting position: - Age (29): 30 points - English (IELTS 6 each): 0 points - Bachelor's degree: 15 points - 5 years overseas experience: 10 points - 1 year Australian experience: 5 points - Single: 10 points - Total: 70 points (not competitive for 189)

After maximisation strategy: - Age (still 29): 30 points - English (improved to PTE 79 each): 20 points (+20) - Bachelor's degree: 15 points - 5 years overseas experience: 10 points - 2 years Australian experience: 5 points - NAATI Hindi credential: 5 points (+5) - Single: 10 points - Total: 95 points (highly competitive for 189)

Priya gained 25 extra points through two actions: improving her English score and getting her NAATI credential. This took approximately 4 months of focused effort and cost around $1,500 total (English test + preparation course + NAATI test).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the realistic minimum score for a 189 invitation in 2026?

It varies by occupation. For popular occupations like Accountant and ICT Business Analyst, expect to need 90 to 95 points. For less competitive occupations like some engineering specialties or nursing, 80 to 85 points may be sufficient. Check recent invitation round results on immigration forums and the Home Affairs SkillSelect page.

Can I claim points for work experience before my skills assessment date?

Your skills assessment determines which years of experience are counted as "skilled." You can only claim points for years that the assessing authority recognises as skilled post-qualification experience. Pre-assessment experience that the authority validates is claimable.

Does volunteer work count for experience points?

Generally, no. The Department of Home Affairs requires paid employment for points claims. However, paid contract work, freelance work, and part-time employment all count (subject to the assessing authority's rules).

What happens if I claim points I am not entitled to?

This is treated very seriously. If Home Affairs discovers incorrect points claims, your visa application will be refused. In severe cases, you may receive a ban from applying for Australian visas. Always be truthful and conservative in your points claims.

Can I update my EOI after submission?

Yes. You should update your EOI whenever your circumstances change — new English test score, additional work experience, partner skills assessment, etc. Updating your EOI changes your date of effect to the date of the update, which may affect your queue position for invitation if multiple candidates have the same score.

Key Takeaways

• The points test minimum is 65, but you realistically need 80 to 95 for the 189
• English proficiency is the single highest-impact improvement area — worth up to 20 points
• NAATI community language credential is an easy 5 points for multilingual immigrants
• The 190 (5 extra points) and 491 (15 extra points) dramatically improve your competitiveness
• Partner skills can contribute up to 10 points — invest in your partner's English test and assessment
• Every claim must be truthful and documented — incorrect claims result in visa refusal
• Start maximising your score today — every month of delay is a month closer to age point reductions