Points-tested visa
Statutory definition
Section 93 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) confers the power to calculate a score for a points-tested visa application and to determine the rank of the application relative to other applications. The Migration Regulations set out the factor scores and the methodology for the calculation.
Explanation
The main points-tested visa subclasses are:
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent: for workers not sponsored by a state, territory, or employer
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated: state/territory nominated; the state nomination adds five points
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional): state/territory or family nominated; regional area condition; the nomination adds fifteen points
Applicants must score at least 65 points to submit an EOI. In practice, the invitation threshold (the lowest score at which invitations are issued in a given round) is higher — often 80–90 points or more for Subclass 189.
How this term is used
Points are awarded for age, English language ability, overseas and Australian work experience, educational qualifications, specialist education qualifications, partner skills, community languages, and state or territory nomination. Each factor has a maximum score specified in the Regulations.