Australian Visa Points Calculator 2025

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🎂 Age Points Explained

Age is assessed at the time of invitation. Peak earning years are rewarded most highly.

• 25-32 years: 30 points (maximum - prime working age)
• 18-24 years: 25 points (younger applicants)
• 33-39 years: 25 points (experienced professionals)
• 40-44 years: 15 points (senior professionals)
• 45+ years: 0 points (age limit for skilled migration)

Strategic Tip: If you're turning 33 or 40 soon, apply before your birthday to maximize points. Age is locked at invitation time, not application time.

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💬 English Proficiency Guide

English ability can add up to 20 critical points. Scores must be achieved in a single test sitting.

• Superior English: 20 points (IELTS 8.0+ / PTE 79+ / TOEFL iBT 94+ in ALL bands)
• Proficient English: 10 points (IELTS 7.0+ / PTE 65+ / TOEFL iBT 79+ in ALL bands)
• Competent English: 0 points (IELTS 6.0+ / PTE 50+ / TOEFL iBT 60+ in ALL bands)

Accepted tests: IELTS General/Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, Cambridge C1/C2

Important: Results must be within 3 years of invitation. You need minimum Competent English to apply. Consider PTE if you're tech-savvy - many find it easier to score higher!

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💼 Overseas Work Experience

Only skilled employment in the last 10 years counts. Must be in your nominated occupation or closely related.

• 8+ years: 15 points
• 5-7 years: 10 points
• 3-4 years: 5 points
• Less than 3 years: 0 points

Strict Requirements: Minimum 20 hours/week paid work. Must be in nominated occupation or closely related (same ANZSCO unit group, career progression pathway, or recognized by assessing authority).

Evidence Tip: Prepare employment contracts, payslips, tax returns, reference letters, and job descriptions. Work experience caps at 20 points combined (overseas + Australian).

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🇦🇺 Australian Work Experience

Australian work experience awards more points than overseas! Must be in the last 10 years in your nominated occupation.

• 8+ years: 20 points (maximum achievable)
• 5-7 years: 15 points
• 3-4 years: 10 points
• 1-2 years: 5 points
• Less than 1 year: 0 points

Visa Requirements: You must have held a substantive visa or Bridging A/B visa and complied with all conditions. Work on tourist/visitor visas doesn't count!

Important Cap: Total work points (Australian + Overseas combined) max out at 20 points. The calculator shows individual scores, but only 20 points will be awarded in total.

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🎓 Educational Qualifications

Education must be recognized as comparable to Australian standards. You can only claim your highest qualification.

• Doctorate (PhD): 20 points - Must be PhD/doctorate level, not just "Dr" title (medical/dental degrees don't count unless PhD level)
• Bachelor or Master degree: 15 points - From recognized university
• Diploma or Trade qualification: 10 points - Australian diploma or equivalent

Recognition Required: Your skills assessing authority (ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for Engineering, VETASSESS for other occupations) determines if your qualification is suitable for your nominated occupation.

Overseas Qualifications: Contact VETASSESS for educational assessment if your assessing authority doesn't provide one. Keep transcripts and degree certificates ready!

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👩‍❤️‍👨 Partner Skills

Your relationship status affects your points. Partner must be applying for the same visa with you.

• Single or Australian citizen/PR partner: 10 points - If you're single OR your partner is already Australian citizen/PR (they won't be applying with you)
• Partner with Competent English only: 5 points - Partner has Competent English but doesn't meet other skill requirements
• Partner with full skills: 10 points - Partner under 45, has Competent English, has positive skills assessment for occupation on same skilled list, and applying with you

Full Skills Requirements: Your partner must be under 45, have Competent English (IELTS 6.0+ in all bands or equivalent), nominated occupation on the same skilled occupation list, and positive skills assessment (not for subclass 485).

Strategic Note: If your partner doesn't qualify for 10 points but has Competent English, you can claim 5 points. If they don't have Competent English, don't include them - you'll get 10 points as "single" applicant!

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🎓 Australian Study Requirement

Bonus points for studying in Australia! Must meet specific criteria.

• Duration: At least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of full-time study
• Points: 5 points
• Requirements: CRICOS-registered course, completed in Australia, resulting in degree/diploma/trade qualification
• Must be: Australian educational institution

What Counts: Bachelor, Master, PhD, Diploma, or Trade qualification from Australian institution. Online or distance education doesn't count.

Combined with Regional: You can claim both Australian Study AND Regional Study bonuses if you studied in a regional area!

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🔬 STEM Qualification (Specialist Education)

Advanced research degrees in STEM fields earn bonus points. Very specific requirements!

• Degree Type: Master's by research OR Doctorate from Australian institution ONLY
• Duration: At least 2 academic years of study
• Points: 5 points
• STEM Fields: Natural/Physical Sciences, ICT, or Engineering (see CRICOS website for eligible fields)

Eligible Fields: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, IT, Engineering (Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, etc.), Mathematics.

Important: Coursework Master's degrees do NOT qualify - must be research-based! Check CRICOS website to confirm your course is in eligible STEM field.

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🏞️ Regional Study

Studied outside major cities? Claim extra points! Both study AND residence required.

• Requirements: Must meet Australian study requirement (2+ years), studied at campus in regional area, AND lived in that regional area
• Points: 5 points
• Regional areas: All of Australia EXCEPT Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane metropolitan areas
• Includes: Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Hobart, Darwin, all rural areas

Important: Cannot be distance education. You must physically live and study at a campus in the regional area. Keep rental agreements/utility bills as proof!

Bonus: Stackable with Australian Study bonus - you can claim both for 10 total bonus points if you studied regionally!

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💼 Professional Year Program

Structured workplace training program in Australia. Only available for three specific fields!

• Eligible Fields: Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering ONLY
• Duration: At least 12 months, completed in last 4 years before invitation
• Points: 5 points
• Providers: Must be approved provider (ACS, CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, etc.)

Approved Providers: Australian Computer Society (ACS), CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ, Institute of Public Accountants, Engineers Australia.

Perfect For: Recent graduates on post-study work visas. Combines work experience with professional development + bonus 5 points! Completion date (not start date) must be within 4 years of invitation.

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🌏 Community Language (NAATI)

Bilingual? Earn 5 extra points! Often easier than achieving Superior English for many applicants.

• Requirement: NAATI accreditation at paraprofessional level or above, OR Certified Provisional level or above, OR Community Language credential
• Points: 5 points
• Test Options: NAATI CCL (Credentialed Community Language) test - most common
• Languages: 50+ languages including Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, etc.

CCL Test: Two recorded dialogues (approximately 300 words each). Translate segments from English to your language and vice versa. Pass mark: 29/45 or higher.

Strategic Value: For many bilingual applicants, NAATI CCL is much easier than improving IELTS from 7.0 to 8.0 (which also gives 10 more points). Great value for effort! Check naati.com.au for available languages and booking.

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📍 State/Territory Nomination

Nomination adds bonus points and opens more visa pathways!

• State/Territory (190): +5 points - Permanent residence visa
• Regional (491): +15 points - 5-year provisional visa, pathway to PR

Note: With nomination, you commit to living/working in that state/region initially.

Tip: See your points for each visa type in the sidebar!