Subclass 189 Points Test: How to Calculate Your Score and What It Means for Your Invitation
Last updated: April 2026 If you are targeting the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, the first thing to understand is that this is not a direct application process. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Australia’s skilled migration program through SkillSelect, receive a score based on the points test, and wait for an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The minimum score to lodge an EOI is 65 points, but 65 is the entry threshold, not the invitation threshold. Actual cut-offs in recent rounds have been significantly higher, varying by occupation and round size. This guide breaks down every scoring category in the Subclass 189 points test, shows you exactly how to calculate your total, and explains what your score actually means for your chances of receiving an invitation. A full worked example is included after the calculation section. How the Subclass 189 Points System Works The Subclass 189 visa operates through Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) points-tested stream. Once you submit your EOI in SkillSelect, DHA ranks all active EOIs by points score. When an invitation round opens for your nominated occupation, DHA invites the highest-scoring applicants first, down to a cut-off score for that round. Applicants below the cut-off stay in the pool and may receive invitations in future rounds. One detail that catches many applicants off guard: your points score is calculated at the time you receive an invitation, not when you submit your EOI. If your circumstances change, for example, you cross into a different age bracket or complete additional qualifications, your score is recalculated at the point of invitation. This works in your favour if you are actively improving your profile, but it can also work against you if your age moves you into a lower bracket while you wait. What the November 2025 Invitation Round Tells Us In the November 2025 Subclass 189 invitation round, DHA issued 10,000 invitations, one of the largest single-round releases in recent years. A large round does not mean a lower bar. Cut-off scores still vary by occupation, and high-demand fields continue to see cut-offs well above 65. The round size matters less than the cut-off for your specific nominated occupation. Check the SkillSelect invitation rounds results on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for occupation-level data on recent rounds. How Points Are Calculated: Category by Category The Subclass 189 points test has five core scoring categories, published by DHA on the Subclass 189 points table on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Work through each one against your own profile to build your total. Age Points are awarded based on your age at the time you receive your invitation to apply, not your age when you submit your EOI. The highest-scoring window is 25 to 32 years old. Age at Invitation Points 18 to 24 years 25 25 to 32 years 30 33 to 39 years 25 40 to 44 years 15 45 years and over 0 If you are currently 32 and your EOI is sitting in the pool, be aware that crossing into the 33 to 39 bracket drops your score by 5 points. Timing your EOI submission with your age bracket in mind is one of the most commonly overlooked planning steps. English Proficiency English points are awarded across three levels: Competent, Proficient, and Superior. Accepted tests include IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and OET. For the full list of accepted tests and score equivalencies, see RACC’s guide on English test requirements for skilled migration. English Level IELTS Score (all four bands) Points Competent English 6.0 0 Proficient English 7.0 +10 Superior English 8.0 +20 Achieving Superior English adds 20 points to your total. That is the single largest discretionary gain available to most applicants, worth more than a decade of additional overseas work experience. Skilled Work Experience Points for work experience are split between employment outside Australia and employment inside Australia. You can score in both categories simultaneously if you have worked in both locations in your nominated occupation. Overseas work experience (outside Australia): Years of Experience Points Less than 3 years 0 3 to 4 years 5 5 to 7 years 10 8 to 9 years 15 10 years or more 20 Australian work experience: Years of Experience in Australia Points 1 to 2 years 5 3 to 4 years 10 5 to 7 years 15 8 to 9 years 20 Work experience only counts if it falls within your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation, and must have occurred within the 10 years before your invitation date. Experience that predates that window, or that falls outside your nominated ANZSCO code, does not contribute to your score. Educational Qualifications Qualification Points Doctorate (PhD) 20 Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree 15 Diploma or trade qualification 10 Your qualification must be recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) or its overseas equivalent, and must be relevant to your nominated occupation. Recognition is determined by your skills assessment authority, such as VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, or ACS, not by DHA directly. Bonus Points Most Applicants Miss Beyond the five core categories, the points test includes additional bonus points that a significant number of applicants fail to count when estimating their score. In a competitive round, 5 to 15 bonus points can be the difference between an invitation and another year in the pool. For a full strategy guide, see RACC’s article on how to gain extra points for PR eligibility in Australia. Australian Study Requirement (+5 points) If you completed at least two years of study at an Australian institution registered under CRICOS, you earn 5 additional points. The study must have been conducted in Australia (not by distance or offshore delivery), and the qualification must be at bachelor level or above. Professional Year (+5 points) Completing an approved Professional Year program in Australia adds 5 points. The program must be at least 12 months long and must have been completed within the 4 years before you receive your invitation. Professional Year is available for accountants, engineers, and
