A U S T R A L I A

Part 1 - Skill qualifications

The occupation nominated must be on the Skilled Occupations List current at the time of application, and must be one which fits your skills and qualifications. The following points are available:

	Your score is
Tradespersons and selected professions: Tradespersons, IT professionals, Accounting professionals, Engineers, Senior Managers, Teachers, Translators & Interpreters and Health Professionals.	60
Qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor degree	50
Qualification comparable to an Australian diploma	40

Part 2 - Age

You must be aged between 18 and 45. If you age at time of application is:

From 18 to 29	30
From 30 to 34	25
From 35 to 39	20
From 40 to 44	15

Part 3 - Language Ability

You may be required to sit an English language test (for more details, see our page on English language skills). If your English language ability is found to be:

	Your score is
Competent English	20
Vocational English	15

Part 4 - Employment Experience (Specific Work Experience)

This is not to be confused with the concept of recent work experience, which is discussed above and is a mandatory requirement without which you cannot make an application under this visa category. Under this part, you receive the following points:

	Your score is
Work Experience in 60 point occupation: if for at least 36 months during the 48 months immediately before the date of application you have worked in a nominated skilled occupation, or a closely related skilled occupation, for which 60 points are available.	10
Other Work Experience if for at least 36 months during the 48 months immediately before the date of application you have worked in some other skilled occupation.	5

Part 5 - Spouse Skill Qualifications

Your score is

Spouse Skill Qualifications: If your spouse:

is under 45 years of age at time of application; and
has vocational English; and
has nominated a skilled occupation in the visa application; and
has been assessed by the relevant assessing authority as having suitable skills for that occupation; and
Either:
1. In the last 6 months, has completed degree, diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification(s) which took at least 2 years of full-time study in Australia at an Australian institution, which are relevant to your spouse's nominated occupation and which were taught in English; or
2. has been employed in a skilled occupation for at least:
  - 12 months in the 18 months immediately before the application date (if 60 points are specified for that occupation); or
  - 24 months in the 36 months immediately before the application date (if 40 or 50 points are specified for that occupation)

Part 6 - Australian Education

	Your score is
Post-secondary Qualification in Australia:	5
Honours or Masters in Australia, following a Bachelor Degree in Australia:	10
PhD in Australia:	15

Part 7 - Skills Targeting

	Your score is
Occupation in Demand with Job Offer: If you have nominated an occupation in demand in your application and have an offer of full-time employment in that occupation or a closely related occupation in an organisation that had at least 10 full-time employees at all times in the 24 months immediately before the date at which the application was made	15
Occupation in Demand, no Job Offer: if you have nominated an occupation in demand in your application, but as yet have no job offer in this occupation	10

Part 8 - Bonus Points

You may be awarded 5 bonus points if you meet one of the following conditions:

	Your score is
Investment in Designated Security: If you have deposited at least $100,000 in a designated security for at least 12 months	5
Employed in Skilled Occupation: If you have been employed in Australia in a skilled occupation for at least 6 months in the 48 months immediately before the date of the application, while holding a substantive visa authorising you to work	5
Non-English Qualification: If you are the holder of a qualification (that is of an equivalent standard to a degree awarded by an Australian tertiary educational institution) the tuition of which was conducted in a designated language	5
Professional Interpreter or Translator: If you are accredited as a professional interpreter or translator (level 3) in a designated language by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters	5

Part 9 - Points for Relationship

You may receive points if you or your spouse has a relative who:

Is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; and
Is willing to sponsor you

You or your spouse must be related to the sponsor as either:

A non-dependent child
A parent
A brother or sister
A niece or nephew

	Your score is
If you have a relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and who is willing to sponsor you:	15

Part 10 - Additional Points for Study in Regional Australia and Low-Population Growth Metropolitan Areas

	Your score is
If you have: Met the requirements for the award of degree, diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification(s); AND The qualification(s) were not in English language proficiency; AND The qualification(s) took at least 2 years of full-time study in Australia; AND	5

For applications lodged on or after the 8th of May 2002, the pass mark is:
- 110: If you are sponsored by an Australian relative; or
- 115: If you are not sponsored by an Australian relative.

Note that the new pass mark does not affect applications which were lodged before the 8th of May 2002.

Note that if you have relatives living in Australia, you may qualify for the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored Category. This category would not require you to pass the points test, and the range of relatives who can sponsor you is wider than the normal General Skilled Migration category.

Skilled migration can be complex, so we recommend that you contact us to check your likely eligibility for skilled migration before you proceed with an application.

In particular, each skills assessing authority has different criteria in determining whether your skills are suitable for migration to Australia. We are familiar with the procedures of the main skills assessing authorities, and would be happy to advise you further as to your best course of action. We can also prepare and lodge applications for skilled migration on behalf of clients.

If you would like us to check your likely eligibility for skilled migration or if you would like us to assist you with your application, please apply online or alternatively contact us.