Australia's skilled migration system is one of the most structured in the world. Unlike the H-1B lottery or Canada's Express Entry, it does not rely on luck or employer connections — at least not entirely. It relies on points. If you understand how those points are calculated and how the two main pathways differ, you can make strategic decisions that significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
This guide focuses on the two most common skilled migration visas for people living and working outside Australia (or on temporary visas inside it): Subclass 189 and Subclass 190.
How the Points Test Works
Before comparing the two visas, it helps to understand the scoring system both use. The points test awards points across several categories, and you need a minimum of 65 points just to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect — Australia's online pre-application platform.
Age
Australia wants skilled migrants who will contribute for many years. The highest scores go to applicants aged 25 to 32, who receive 30 points. The score drops as you age, and applicants over 45 receive no age points at all.
English Language Ability
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 equivalent) is the minimum standard — but it earns no bonus points. To score points, you need Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each band, worth 10 points) or Superior English (IELTS 8.0 in each band, worth 20 points). Strong English scores are one of the most efficient ways to boost your total.
Skilled Employment Experience
Both Australian and overseas work experience in your nominated occupation earn points. Overseas experience ranges from 0 points (under 3 years) to 15 points (8 or more years). Australian experience adds more points and signals to the Department of Home Affairs that you are already integrated into the local labour market.
Education and Qualifications
A doctorate earns 20 points; a bachelor's or master's earns 15. A diploma or trade qualification earns 10. Your qualification must be assessed by the relevant skills assessment authority for your occupation.
Other Factors
Additional points are available for:
- A partner who also meets the skills and English requirements
- Studying in regional Australia
- A community language qualification
- Holding a professional year in Australia
Subclass 189: Independent Skilled Visa
The 189 is the crown jewel of Australian skilled migration. It is a permanent visa from day one, and it does not require a state or territory to sponsor you. You are entirely independent — you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
The process starts with submitting an EOI in SkillSelect. You wait in a pool with everyone else who has nominated the same occupation. Periodically, the Department of Home Affairs issues invitation rounds and selects the highest-scoring candidates above a certain threshold.
This is where many people encounter the hard reality of the 189: the threshold is high. While 65 points is the minimum to enter the pool, most occupations in recent rounds have required 85, 90, or even 95 points to receive an invitation. Highly sought-after occupations like software engineers and nurses have seen invitation thresholds above 90 in competitive periods.
Your occupation must appear on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) to be eligible for a 189. This list includes occupations where Australia has a sustained national need — software developers, civil engineers, accountants, nurses, and many others.
Subclass 190: State Nominated Visa
The 190 adds one important element to the equation: a state or territory government sponsors you. In exchange for that nomination, you receive 5 bonus points added to your score — and you agree to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years.
Those 5 extra points can be the difference between sitting in a SkillSelect pool indefinitely and receiving an invitation within a few months. For applicants whose points sit in the 75–85 range, the 190 is often the more realistic pathway.
Each state and territory runs its own nomination program, with its own occupation lists, requirements, and application windows. Some states prioritise occupations in healthcare or construction. Others focus on technology or education. Requirements change regularly, so monitoring state nomination portals directly is essential.
The residency obligation is real but not onerous. You are not legally barred from leaving the nominating state after two years, but failing to make genuine efforts to live there in the first two years can affect future citizenship applications.
Your occupation must appear either on the MLTSSL or the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) to be eligible for a 190.
Skills Assessment: The Non-Negotiable First Step
Before you can submit an EOI for either visa, your qualifications and work experience must be formally assessed by the designated authority for your occupation. Each occupation has a specific assessing body:
- Engineers Australia for engineers
- Australian Computer Society for ICT professionals
- CPA Australia or CAANZ for accountants
- AHPRA for nurses and doctors
- Trades Recognition Australia for many trade occupations
This process takes time — often three to six months — and costs money. It should be the first thing you initiate, not the last.
How to Choose Between 189 and 190
Ask yourself a few honest questions.
First, what is your realistic points score? Calculate it carefully using the official points calculator. If you are comfortably above 85–90 points, the 189 may be within reach. If you are in the 70–85 range, the 190 is likely your better path.
Second, are you flexible about where in Australia you live? If you want to be in Sydney or Melbourne specifically, note that some popular states may have slower or more competitive nomination programs. If you are open to living in Queensland, South Australia, or Western Australia, you may find faster pathways.
Third, how long are you willing to wait? The 189 can be faster for very high scorers but slower for mid-range applicants who sit in the pool for extended periods without receiving an invitation. The 190 adds the buffer of those 5 extra points and gives you a state government advocate in your corner.
Know Your Score Before You Start
The most important thing you can do right now is get an accurate picture of your eligibility. Many people underestimate their points total — or overestimate it — and end up either waiting in the wrong pool or not applying at all.
Complete your profile on Global Settlers and we will calculate your points score, identify which occupation list you qualify under, and show you which states are currently nominating your occupation. The Australian system rewards people who plan strategically, and that planning starts with knowing exactly where you stand.