Australia offers certain point-based visas to applicants under its skilled migration program. These visas require the applicants to pass a points test to be invited to apply for a visa. In accordance with the needs of the Australian labour markets the pass mark (the minimum number of points required to be eligible for the visa grant) is 60 Points.
Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection carries out the Points Test for skilled migrants to be objectively and transparently be selected for migration.
The Points Test is based on criterion to gauge if the applicant is young, skilled, qualified and good in English language skills. Some of the key questions for the Points calculation include:
| Factor | Description | Points |
| Age | 18-24 | 25 |
| 25-32 | 30 | |
| 33-39 | 25 | |
| 40-44 | 15 | |
| 45-49 | 0 | |
| English language | Competent English – IELTS 6 | 0 |
| Proficient English – IELTS 7 | 10 | |
| Superior English – IELTS 8 | 20 | |
| Australian work experience in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation | One year Australian (of past two years) | 5 |
| Three years Australian (of past five years) | 10 | |
| Five years Australian (of past seven years) | 15 | |
| Overseas work experience in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation | Three years overseas (of past five years) | 5 |
| Five years overseas (of past seven years) | 10 | |
| Eight years overseas (of past 10 years) | 15 | |
| Qualifications (Australian or recognised overseas) | • Offshore recognised apprenticeship • AQFIII/IV completed in Australia • Diploma completed in Australia | 10 |
| Bachelor degree (including a Bachelor degree with Honours or Masters) | 15 | |
| PhD | 20 | |
| Recognition of Australian Study | Minimum two years fulltime (Australian study requirement) | 5 |
| Designated language | 5 | |
| Partner skills | 5 | |
| Professional Year | 5 | |
| Sponsorship by state or territory government | 5 | |
| Sponsorship by family or state or territory government to regional Australia | 10 | |
| Study in a regional area | 5 |
| In addition there are certain bonus categories (having relations in Australia or Australia's major community languages, designated areas sponsorship or nomination) where applicants could score. Thus, it goes without saying that higher the score, better the chances. |
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