189 Visa Points Calculator

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The 189 Visa Points Calculator helps you determine your eligibility for Australia's Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). This calculator assesses your profile based on the Department of Home Affairs' points grid, considering factors like age, education, work experience, English proficiency, and more.

How the 189 Visa Points System Works

The 189 Visa points system is designed to assess skilled migrants' qualifications and potential contribution to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs uses a points grid to evaluate applicants based on various factors, each with specific point values.

To be eligible for the 189 Visa, you must:

Be under 45 years old (or under 50 with a state nomination)
Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the last 5 years
Meet English language requirements
Have sufficient skills assessment for your occupation
Meet health and character requirements

The minimum points required for the 189 Visa vary depending on your age and whether you have a state nomination. The current minimum points are:

65 points for applicants under 45 years old
60 points for applicants aged 45-49 with a state nomination
50 points for applicants aged 45-49 without a state nomination

Point Categories and Weights

The 189 Visa points system evaluates applicants across several categories, each with specific point weights. Here's a breakdown of the main categories:

Key Point Categories

Category	Maximum Points	Description
Age	30	Points decrease as you get older
Education	25	Higher education qualifications earn more points
Work Experience	15	Points based on years of skilled work experience
English Proficiency	10	Points for meeting English language requirements
Skilled Occupation	20	Points based on your occupation's demand
State Nomination	5	Additional points if nominated by a state

Each category has specific sub-categories with different point values. For example, in the Education category:

Doctorate or Master's degree: 25 points
Bachelor's degree: 15-20 points
Diploma or trade qualification: 10-15 points

Calculation Method

The 189 Visa points are calculated by summing points from each category. The Department of Home Affairs uses the following formula:

Points Calculation Formula

Total Points = Age Points + Education Points + Work Experience Points + English Proficiency Points + Skilled Occupation Points + State Nomination Points

Points are awarded based on specific criteria within each category. For example, in the Age category:

Under 25: 30 points
25-32: 29 points
33-39: 26 points
40-44: 22 points
45-49: 13 points

Note: The actual points grid may change. Always check the latest information from the Department of Home Affairs before applying.

Worked Examples

Let's look at two examples to illustrate how the 189 Visa points system works.

Example 1: Successful Application

Consider a 30-year-old applicant with:

Master's degree (25 points)
5 years of skilled work experience (15 points)
IELTS 7.0 (10 points)
Occupation on Medium Skill List (20 points)
No state nomination (0 points)

Calculation:

Age Points: 29 (for 25-32 age group)

Total Points = 29 (Age) + 25 (Education) + 15 (Work Experience) + 10 (English) + 20 (Occupation) = 99 points

This applicant would meet the 65-point minimum requirement.

Example 2: Borderline Application

A 42-year-old applicant with:

Bachelor's degree (15 points)
3 years of skilled work experience (10 points)
IELTS 6.5 (8 points)
Occupation on Medium Skill List (20 points)
State nomination (5 points)

Calculation:

Age Points: 22 (for 40-44 age group)

Total Points = 22 (Age) + 15 (Education) + 10 (Work Experience) + 8 (English) + 20 (Occupation) + 5 (Nomination) = 75 points

This applicant would meet the 65-point minimum requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points do I need for the 189 Visa?: The minimum points required vary by age group. For applicants under 45, you need at least 65 points. For applicants aged 45-49, you need 60 points with a state nomination or 50 points without.
What's the maximum points I can get?: The maximum points you can achieve is 100. This is the sum of all maximum points across all categories.
How do I calculate my 189 Visa points?: Use our calculator to input your details in each category, and it will sum your points automatically. You can also manually calculate by referring to the Department of Home Affairs' points grid.
Can I get extra points for having a partner?: No, the 189 Visa does not include points for having a partner. However, your partner may be eligible for a separate visa if you're granted the 189 Visa.
How often does the points grid change?: The Department of Home Affairs periodically updates the points grid. It's important to check for the latest information before applying.