Skills Visas

All applicants must meet Australian standards for an occupation nominated from a skilled occupations list.

All applicants must be proficient in English at the vocational level. This would be demonstrated by achieving an overall score of 5 out of a possible 9 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); with a minimum score of at least 5 for all 4 components - writing, reading, listening and speaking.

Points Test

The current pass and pool marks for these categories are (these are subject to change): pass mark is 110 and the pool mark is 70.

Skills

• 40 points for occupations which require diploma or advanced diploma level qualifications;
• 50 points for 'generalist' occupations which require degree level qualifications, but which do not necessarily require training for a particular occupation;
• 60 points for occupations that require degree (or higher) or trade level qualifications where entry to the occupation requires training which is specific to the occupation.

Age

• 18-29 years 30 points
• 30-34 years 25 points
• 35-39 years 20 points
• 40-44 years 15 points

English Language

• 15 points for applicants who achieve a score of at least 5 on each of the 4 components of the IELTS test (general)
• 20 points for applicants who obtain an IELTS score of 6 or more for each of the four components
• 5 points for applicants who have been employed in an occupation on the skilled occupation list for 3 (three) out of the 4 (four) years before applying
• 10 points for applicants nominating an occupation which attracts 60 points under the skill factor, and who have worked in their nominated, or a closely related, occupation for 3 (three) of the 4 (four) years before applying.

Occupational Targeting

• 5 points will be awarded for applicants whose skills are in short supply in Australia. These occupations will be included on a Migration Occupations in Demand List.
• A further 5 points will be awarded to applicants who have a genuine job offer in an occupation included on the Migration Occupations in Demand List.

Spouse Skills

• 5 points will be awarded where the applicant's spouse also meets the minimum requirements for skills, age and English language ability.

Australian Qualifications

• 5 points will be awarded where the applicant obtained a diploma, trade qualification or degree (this was introduced on 1 July 1998)
• 10 points if the applicant holds an Australian PhD (doctorate degree) (introduced on 1 November 1999) from an Australian educational institution.

Bonus Points

5 bonus points if the applicant satisfies at least one of the following:

• six months Australian work experience in a skilled occupation within the previous four years; or
• commitment to bringing a high level of capital to Australia demonstrated by depositing $100 000 in an approved Government investment for a minimum period of 12 months; or
• a high level of fluency in the national language of one of Australia's major trading partners or in the language of one of Australia's major ethnic communities.