The minimum is 65 points, but in practice you need 80 or more to receive an invitation. Here's exactly how the points test works and how to maximise your score.
How Many Points Do You Need for a 189 Visa in Australia?
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa is points-tested — and understanding exactly how the points system works is the first step to knowing whether it is a realistic option for you.
The short answer is that you need at least 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. The longer answer is that 65 points almost never receives an invitation. The practical minimum in most occupation rounds is between 80 and 90 points, and in highly competitive occupations it can sit at 95 or above.
## How the Points Test Works
Points are not fixed. They are calculated at the time you submit your EOI, and they must still be valid when you receive an invitation. Here is how points are allocated:
Age: - 25–32 years: 30 points - 33–39 years: 25 points - 40–44 years: 15 points - Under 25: 15 points - 45 and over: 0 points (and you are no longer eligible)
English Language: - Competent (IELTS 6.0): 0 points - Proficient (IELTS 7.0): 10 points - Superior (IELTS 8.0): 20 points
English is one of the biggest differentiators. Getting your IELTS from a 6.0 to a 7.0 adds 10 points — equivalent to seven years of age difference.
Skilled Employment (Overseas): - Less than 3 years: 0 points - 3–4 years: 5 points - 5–7 years: 10 points - 8–10 years: 15 points
Skilled Employment (Australian): - 1–2 years: 5 points - 3–4 years: 10 points - 5–7 years: 15 points - 8–10 years: 20 points
Qualifications: - Doctorate: 20 points - Bachelor degree or higher: 15 points - Diploma or trade qualification: 10 points - Award from an Australian institution: 5 points extra (if recent)
Additional Points: - Partner skills (if your spouse also meets skills and English requirements): up to 10 points - Community language accreditation (NAATI): 5 points - Study in regional Australia: 5 points - Professional year in Australia: 5 points
## What Score Do You Actually Need?
This depends heavily on your occupation. SkillSelect releases invitation data after each round. Occupations like software engineers, accountants, and registered nurses often see invitation scores of 85–95. Others — particularly specialist healthcare roles — may receive invitations at 80 or lower because fewer applicants are competing.
There is no single "safe" score. The only way to know your chances is to track recent invitation data for your specific occupation and calculate your actual points.
## Common Ways to Increase Your Score
If you are sitting below the competitive threshold, there are legitimate ways to build points:
- Improve your English. Sitting PTE or IELTS again to reach Proficient (7.0) or Superior (8.0) is often the single most impactful change. - Wait for more work experience. If you are at 3 years, getting to 5 adds 5 points at no other cost. - Include your partner. If your spouse has a positive skills assessment and Competent English, you gain 10 points. - Consider a Professional Year. An accredited Professional Year programme in Australia (for IT, engineering, or accounting graduates) adds 5 points. - Study in regional Australia. Completing a degree at a regional institution adds 5 points.
The 189 is a permanent residency visa issued as soon as it is granted — you can live and work anywhere in Australia with no obligations to a specific employer or region. If you can reach a competitive score, it is one of the most straightforward permanent pathways available.
New World Immigration calculates your exact points score as part of our free initial assessment. We also track SkillSelect invitation trends across occupations so we can give you an honest picture of your chances and your alternatives.