Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
The points test is a mechanism used to help select skilled migrants who offer the best in terms of economic benefit to Australia. The points test creates a selection process that is transparent and objective, awarding points to the skills and attributes considered to be in need in Australia. The 1 July 2011 points test is designed to select the best and brightest skilled migrants who will make the optimum economic contribution to Australia. It does not give undue weight to any one factor and recognises a broader range of skills and attributes, focussing on:
- better English levels
- more extensive skilled employment
- higher level qualifications obtained in Australia and overseas
- better targeted age ranges
Points will no longer be awarded for specific occupations, although all applicants must still nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and have their skills assessed in their nominated occupation.
The pass mark is the total amount of points needed to be eligible for grant of a visa and will be set at 65 points. A table summarising the points awarded can be found at the end of this fact sheet. The points test only applies to applicants for the following visas:
- Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored
- Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored
- Subclass 175 Skilled Independent
- Subclass 885 Skilled Independent
- Subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored
- Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored
Information about eligibility requirements
To apply for one of the above visas, applicants need to satisfy the following threshold requirements:
- be under 50 years of age at the time of applying for a visa.
- meet the threshold English language requirement of competent English.
- nominate and hold a skilled assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List at the time of lodging their application.
- provide evidence of recent skilled employment in a skilled occupation or have recently completed the Australian Study requirement.
Applicants eligible for 8 February 2010 transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements apply for certain students and former student visa holders announced on 8 February 2010.
They may also be eligible for points for an occupation on the former Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL).
See: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-test-transitional.pdf
Overview of changes to the points test
Below is a summary of the changes to the points test:
| Factor | Descrption | Points |
| Age | 18-24 | 25 |
| 25-32 | 30 | |
| 33-39 | 25 | |
| 40-44 | 15 | |
| 45-49 | 0 | |
| English language * or equivalent standard in a specified test) | Competent English - IELTS 6* | 0 |
| Proficient English - IELTS 7* | 10 | |
| Superior English - IELTS 8* | 20 | |
| Australian or overseas skilled employment in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation undertaken in the past 10 years Note: Maximum points that can be awarded for any combination of Australian or overseas skilled employment is 20 points | One year in Australia | |
| Three years in Australia | 10 | |
| Five years in Australia | 15 | |
| Eight years in Australia | 20 | |
| Three years overseas | 5 | |
| Five years overseas | 10 | |
| Eight years overseas | 15 | |
| Qualifications (Australian or recognised overseas) | Australian Diploma or trade qualification or other qualification recognised by a relevant Assessing Authority | 10 |
| At least a Bachelor degree | 15 | |
| Doctorate | 20 | |
| Australian study requirement | Minimum two years full-time (Australian study requirement) | 5 |
| Study in a regional area | Must meet the Australian Study Requirement while studying in a regional area | 5 |
| Professional Year | Completion of a recognised Professional Year | 5 |
| Credentialed Community language | NAATI accreditation | 5 |
| Partner skills | Primary applicants partner meets threshold requirements for skilled migration visa | 5 |
| Nomination by state/territory government (subclass 176 or 886 visa) | Nomination by a state or territory government under a state migration plan | 5 |
| Designated area sponsorship or nominated by state/territory government (subclass 475 or 487 visa) | Sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a designated area or nomination by a state or territory government under a state migration plan | 10 |
