The minimum points score for the Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas is 65. Invitations depend on SkillSelect rounds and are often above the minimum. The score you need changes from round to round with occupation demand, the number of people in the pool, and the places available.
Quick Facts
| Visa | Minimum Points |
|---|---|
| 189 (Skilled Independent) | 65 |
| 190 (State Nominated) | 65 (including 5 for nomination) |
| 491 (Skilled Regional) | 65 (including 15 for nomination or family sponsorship) |
Invitations depend on SkillSelect rounds and are often above the 65-point minimum.
Understanding the Points System
Minimum vs Competitive
The government sets 65 as the minimum points score to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). But having 65 points doesn't mean you'll receive an invitation — it means you're eligible to enter the queue.
Think of it like university admissions. The entry requirement might be a certain score, but the actual cutoff for popular programs is much higher. Your EOI competes against everyone else in the same occupation pool.
How Invitations Work
Every invitation round, the Department selects EOIs from the pool based on:
- Points score — highest first
- Date of effect — among equal scores, the earliest EOI gets priority
If there are 100 places for software engineers and 500 EOIs, only the top 100 by points (and date of effect as a tiebreaker) receive invitations. This is why the competitive score is much higher than the minimum.
How Competitive Is Each Visa
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
The 189 is the most competitive because it offers direct permanent residence without state nomination.
The score needed for an invitation differs by occupation and changes from round to round. Popular occupations can need well above the 65-point minimum, so check the latest SkillSelect invitation round for your occupation before you plan.
Subclass 190 (State Nominated)
The 190 adds 5 points for state nomination, making the effective minimum 60 points of your own (plus 5 from the state = 65 total). But each state sets its own criteria.
State-by-state focus (approximate):
| State | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| NSW | IT, engineering, healthcare |
| VIC | Broad range of occupations |
| QLD | Healthcare, engineering, trades |
| SA | Broad — encourages regional settlement |
| WA | Mining, engineering, healthcare |
| TAS | Broad — actively recruits |
| ACT | Must live in ACT, matrix-based |
| NT | Broad — strong regional focus |
States publish their own occupation lists and nomination criteria, which change frequently.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Regional)
The 491 adds 15 points for state/territory nomination, making the effective minimum just 50 points of your own. This makes it the most accessible points-tested visa.
Some states ask for higher scores for competitive occupations. The trade-off is the 3-year regional residence requirement before accessing permanent residence through the 191.
Points Breakdown
| Factor | Points Available |
|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 |
| Age (33-39) | 25 |
| Age (18-24) | 25 |
| Age (40-44) | 15 |
| English: Superior (IELTS 8+) | 20 |
| English: Proficient (IELTS 7+) | 10 |
| English: Competent (IELTS 6+) | 0 |
| Overseas experience (3-4 years) | 5 |
| Overseas experience (5-7 years) | 10 |
| Overseas experience (8+ years) | 15 |
| Australian experience (1-2 years) | 5 |
| Australian experience (3-4 years) | 10 |
| Australian experience (5-7 years) | 15 |
| Australian experience (8+ years) | 20 |
| PhD | 20 |
| Bachelor's/Master's | 15 |
| Diploma/Trade (Australian institution) or award recognised by your assessing authority | 10 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Specialist education (STEM research Masters or PhD from an Australian institution) | 10 |
| NAATI credentialed community language | 5 |
| Regional study | 5 |
| Partner skills | 5-10 |
| Single applicant (no partner) | 10 |
| State nomination (190) | 5 |
| State/family nomination (491) | 15 |
Maximum theoretical score without nomination: 130 points (employment points are capped at 20 combined, says the Home Affairs points table).
What's Realistic?
Typical Applicant: 30-Year-Old with Master's Degree
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age (30) | 30 |
| English (IELTS 7.0) | 10 |
| Master's degree | 15 |
| 3 years overseas experience | 5 |
| Total | 60 |
This example assumes a partner who earns no partner points (a single applicant would add 10). This applicant needs 5 more points for the 189 minimum (65), and often more for an invitation. Options: improve English to 8+ (gain 10 points), gain Australian experience, or apply for 190/491 with state nomination points.
Typical Applicant: 28-Year-Old with Australian Study
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age (28) | 30 |
| English (IELTS 8.0) | 20 |
| Bachelor's degree | 15 |
| Australian study | 5 |
| 1 year Australian experience | 5 |
| Total | 75 |
This example also assumes a partner who earns no partner points. It is above the 65 minimum for all three visas; whether it is enough depends on the invitation round. You may need additional strategies to maximise points.
Tips for Improving Your Invitation Chances
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Maximise English. The difference between IELTS 7 (10 points) and IELTS 8 (20 points) is 10 points — the equivalent of 3-4 years of additional work experience.
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Consider the 190/491 if 189 is out of reach. State nomination adds 5 (190) or 15 (491) points, often making the difference.
-
Check your date of effect. Among applicants with the same score, earlier EOIs are invited first.
-
Don't wait to submit your EOI. Submit as soon as you have enough points. Your date of effect starts from submission.
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Update your EOI immediately when circumstances change (new English score, more experience, birthday). But understand that updates can reset your date of effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 65 points enough for a 189 invitation?
65 is the minimum to be invited. Whether you are invited depends on the SkillSelect round for your occupation, and invitations are often above the minimum.
Do invitation scores change every round?
Yes. Each round selects the highest-scoring EOIs. If many high-scoring applicants submit EOIs, the cutoff rises. If the applicant pool shrinks, the cutoff may drop.
How often are invitation rounds held?
Rounds are typically held monthly, though the schedule can vary. The Department doesn't publish a fixed calendar — rounds are announced as they occur.
Can I get invited for the 189 and 190 from the same EOI?
Your EOI can indicate interest in both 189 and 190. You can receive a state nomination (190) while waiting for a 189 invitation. However, accepting a 190 nomination usually requires withdrawing your 189 EOI.
What happens if I'm never invited?
Home Affairs says "You could receive an invitation up to 2 years after submitting an EOI." During that time, focus on gaining more points.
