Test Over View

Although passing this test is not enough to get a permanent working visa, it is an important part of the overall process of getting to Australia. The pass mark is set at 60 points, although there may be some conditions and exceptions.

The test covers these main areas:

• Your age
• Competency at the English Language
• Employment history.  This includes your working history both outside of Australia and any occupations or jobs you may have undertaken under a visa scheme in Australia
• Education Qualifications
• Any Australian Education Qualifications
• Any other factors
• Any nominations from States or Territories
• Working in a low population area
• Partners educational qualifications and skills.

Note, the first four categories has the potential to give you maximum points of between 15 and 30. The categories low down will give you a maximum of 5 points each, but these should not be overlooked if you want to pass the test.

 

Looking at this in more detail and focusing on a few important points

A very big scoring area is your age. If you are aged between 25 and 30 ,when you are invited to undertake the test, you will get the maximum of 30 points. If, however you are aged 45 or over you will get no points. The test is pretty age “weighted”.

If English is not your main language it is important than you attend a course or have a prior assessment , using either IELTS, PTE or  OET . Also, do not become complacent and think that you come from an English-speaking country and you will not have to do any work prior to the test.

IELTS stands for International English Language Test System. This is their official web site:

https://www.ielts.org/

OET is the Occupational English Test.  This is their official site:

https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/

They are recognized in Australian, New Zealand and Singapore.

A Competent score, IELTS 6 or a C in OET, will give you no points.

A Superior score, IELTS 8 or an A in OET, gives you 20 points.

Halfway, a proficient English score, IELTS 7 or OET B, gives you 10 points.

Again, a good academic qualification like having a doctorate or PHD, will give you 20 points. A recognized trade qualification or an Australian diploma will give you 10 points.

What might help you overcome this “weighting” problem is that if you have had worked abroad for a period of 8 years or more over a 10year period, then this will give you 20 points.

Smaller points added together, such as an Australian craft skills qualification which is accredited. Will give you 5 points.

 

To Conclude

If you age is OK, but you think your English is not good enough, this will definitely need work. Do not ignore to properly document your employment record either.

 

Australian Points Chart:

 Given below are the points on the basis of the criteria listed by the Australian Border agency. All aspects are assessed as they are on the time of your invitation to apply and the visa application is made.

Criteria	You fall into	Points awarded
Principle Applicants Age	18 to 24 years	25
	25 to 32 years	30
	33 to 39 years	25
	40 to 44 years	15
	45 to 49 years	0
Language ability (English) Test results are valid for three years from the day on which the visa application was made.	If you have Competent English	0
	If you have Proficient English	10
	If you have Superior English	20
Work Experience Maximum of 20 points may be granted for work experience in or outside Australia	If you have worked Outside Australia: Work experience in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation
	If you have work experience In nominated occupation for at least three but less than five years (in the past 10 years)	5
	If you have work experience In nominated occupation for at least five but less than eight years (in the past 10 years)	10
	If you have work experience in nominated occupation for at least eight and up to 10 years (in the past 10 years)	15
	In Australia: Work experience in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation
	If you have work experience in nominated occupation for at least one but less than three years (in the past 10 years)	5
	If you have work experience in nominated occupation for at least three but less than five years (in the past 10 years)	10
	If you have work experience in nominated occupation for at least five but less than eight years (in the past 10 years)	15
	If you have work experience in nominated occupation for at least eight and up to 10 years (in the past 10 years)	20
International and Australian Qualifications	If you have Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other international doctorate of a recognised standard or equivalent	20
	If you have Bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or international degree of a recognised standard or equivalent	15
	If you have Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia	10
	If you have an award or qualification recognised by the assessing authority in the assessment of the skilled occupation	10
Study in Australia requirement	If you have one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications awarded by an Australian educational institution and you also meet the Australian study requirement of 2 years	5
Education Qualification in certain special are in demand	If you have Post Graduate Degree by Research through a course or courses taken for at least 2 academic years at an Australian educational institution	5
Points for other criteria	If you have Credentialed community language qualifications	5
	If you have studied in Australian regional or a low population growth metropolitan area (distance education excluded)	5
	Partner skill assessment	5
	If you have Completed Professional year in Australia for at least 12 months in the four years before the day you were invited to apply	5
Nomination or State or Family sponsorship	If you are Nominated by state or territory government (for visa subclass 190 only)	5
	If you are Nominated by state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member to reside and work in a specified/designated area (for visa subclass 489 only)	10