Australian Skilled Visa Points Calculator: 189, 190 & 491

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Australian skilled visa points calculator

Estimate and compare your 189, 190 and 491 visa points in four short steps.

Subclass 189Subclass 190Subclass 491

1. 1 · Profile
2. 2 · Work
3. 3 · Study
4. 4 · Pathway

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An estimate only. Points do not establish visa eligibility or guarantee an invitation. Planning bonuses are conditional.

Read the conditions before relying on a score

Employment must be paid work of at least 20 hours a week in your nominated or a closely related skilled occupation, within the 10 years before invitation. Australian employment also requires an eligible visa and compliance with its conditions. Do not count overlapping employment periods twice. Combined employment points are capped at 20.

Education points apply to your highest recognised qualification only. Australian study generally requires eligible study of at least two academic years completed over at least 16 calendar months in Australia, in English, while holding a visa permitting study. Regional study must satisfy that requirement and involve living and studying at a campus in a designated regional area, without distance education.

Specialist education points require an Australian research masters or doctorate involving at least two academic years in a specified eligible STEM or ICT field. Professional Year points require an eligible program in the nominated or closely related occupation, completed over at least 12 months in Australia within four years before invitation. Community language points require an eligible NAATI accreditation, certification or credential.

Skilled partner points require a partner applying for the same subclass, who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, is under 45, has competent English, a suitable non-485 skills assessment and an occupation on the same applicable skilled occupation list. English-only partner points require a partner applying for the same subclass with competent English who is not an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Partner categories cannot be combined. A change in relationship status can affect points.

Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination. Its 5 extra points depend on invitation and a nomination that remains in effect. Subclass 491 requires nomination or eligible family sponsorship; its 15 extra points depend on invitation and nomination remaining in effect or sponsorship being accepted. Selecting a planned pathway does not establish eligibility.

English evidence and accepted test scores depend on the test and test date. Check current Home Affairs requirements rather than relying on a generic IELTS/PTE conversion.

Official Home Affairs sources

Rules checked 13 October 2026.

Immigration advice: Mmanu Bhardwaj, Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2518871.

Skilled visa points calculator: common questions

How do I calculate my points for a 189 visa?

Use the 189 points calculator above to enter your age, English level, recognised qualifications, eligible skilled employment and other points factors. The tool combines your answers into an estimate and caps combined employment points at 20. Check every claimed item against your documents before using it in a SkillSelect expression of interest.

Why does the 190 points calculator add 5 points?

The subclass 190 pathway can include 5 points for qualifying state or territory nomination. Choose the planning option to see a projected score with that bonus. It is conditional: planning to apply for nomination does not mean nomination has been granted.

Why does the 491 points calculator add 15 points?

The subclass 491 pathway can include 15 points for qualifying nomination or eligible family sponsorship. The planning option shows a projected total. Actual points depend on the applicable invitation, nomination or accepted sponsorship requirements; the bonuses cannot be combined.

Does an Australian PR points calculator confirm eligibility?

No. A points estimate does not establish visa eligibility or predict an invitation. Subclasses 189 and 190 are permanent visa pathways; subclass 491 is a provisional regional pathway with separate requirements for any later permanent residence application.

Does a score of 65 guarantee a skilled visa invitation?

No. Meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation. Occupation, invitation selection and applicable nomination criteria also matter. Read why 65 points does not guarantee a skilled visa invitation, or explore our general skilled migration guidance.

Understand the pathway

The Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 points-tested stream is a permanent visa pathway for invited skilled workers. An expression of interest in SkillSelect precedes an invitation and a visa application. These are different stages, not interchangeable names for the same submission.

A minimum points score does not guarantee an invitation. Ask your adviser to distinguish the published criteria from any assumption about invitation prospects.

Prepare an occupation and duties summary

Write a short description of the work you actually perform. Include your main tasks, level of responsibility, work setting and any professional registration. Job titles vary between countries and employers; supporting duties information helps an adviser assess which questions need investigation.

Create an evidence register

• List qualifications with institution names, course dates and available certificates or transcripts.
• Record employment periods, employers, hours and duties, with a note of the documents available.
• Keep English test results and any skills-assessment outcome together.
• Record identity documents, visa history and family circumstances relevant to the assessment.
• Flag gaps, conflicting dates or documents that need translation.

A register can be a simple table with document, date, source and question columns. Its purpose is to make your information traceable; it does not create eligibility or replace the official requirements.

Check a points estimate against documents

Keep a working points estimate separate from a verified assessment. For each claimed item, note the evidence available and the question that needs answering. If an item depends on the interpretation of experience, study or a partner’s circumstances, raise it before relying on the total.

Compare 189, 190 and 491 before choosing a pathway

Subclass 189, subclass 190 and subclass 491 are separate skilled-migration pathways. They should not be treated as automatic substitutes for one another. A useful comparison starts with the type of visa, whether nomination or eligible family sponsorship is involved, regional conditions and the evidence needed for your claimed points.

State and territory nomination programs can apply their own current criteria and selection processes. Check the relevant government program as well as the Department of Home Affairs visa criteria before relying on a pathway comparison.

Keep your planning practical

Discuss document preparation, outstanding assessments, the scope of assistance and the effect of your current visa position. Avoid making irreversible employment or travel decisions based on an estimated invitation date.

What can TILSAVV help you clarify?

Our registered migration agent can assess the facts you provide, explain the relevant requirements and identify the next evidence questions. Government invitations and visa decisions remain outside the firm’s control.