GSM Points Test Calculator
Estimate your Australian skilled migration points in a minute. See your score for the Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas side by side, and find out where you could pick up extra points.
The first subclass 189 invitation round of the 2026–27 program year was held on 15 October 2026, after no federal rounds in July, August or September. Home Affairs has not yet published official results.
2026–27 visa places
21,090 places for subclass 189 (up from 16,900), 35,500 for state and territory nominated 190, and 14,110 for regional visas including the 491.
October 189 round (unofficial)
Reported cut-offs start at 65 points for many construction trades, around 70–80 for most nursing and allied health, 80–90 for teaching and 85+ for engineering. Few or no ICT and accounting invitations were reported.
Points test reform
The May 2026 Federal Budget announced a reform of the points test to favour younger, better-educated and higher-skilled migrants. No new points table or start date has been released, so the current table (used in this calculator) still applies.
States and territories are opening their 2026–27 nomination programs at different times and with different criteria. Applying for Victoria? Try our Victorian Points Test (VPT) calculator.
Invitation cut-offs above are reported by agents and applicant groups and may change once Home Affairs publishes official results.
Calculate your GSM points
Choose an answer for each factor. Your score updates as you go.
How the GSM points test works
You lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and claim points for each factor. EOIs are ranked by points, and the highest-ranked in each occupation are invited to apply. Your points are assessed at the time you are invited, so keep your EOI accurate and up to date.
65 points to lodge
You need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI for subclass 189, 190 or 491. In practice, many occupations are invited well above 65, so a higher score can matter more than the minimum.
Work experience is capped at 20
Overseas and Australian skilled employment are added together, but you can claim no more than 20 points in total. Employment must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, at least 20 hours a week, in the last 10 years.
Nomination adds points
State or territory nomination adds 5 points for the 190. Nomination or eligible family sponsorship adds 15 points for the 491. Each state sets its own occupation lists and criteria.
Same score? Date counts
When EOIs have the same points in the same occupation, the one that reached that score earliest is invited first. Updating your EOI as soon as you gain points can protect your place in the queue.
Which points-tested visa suits you?
The same points test applies to all three visas. What changes is whether you need nomination, which occupation list applies and where you must live.
Skilled Independent (189)
No sponsor or nomination needed. You are invited by the Department based on your points and occupation, which makes it the most competitive pathway. Occupation must be on the MLTSSL.
Skilled Nominated (190)
Requires nomination by a state or territory government, usually with a commitment to live there for at least 2 years. Each state has its own occupation list and criteria.
Skilled Work Regional (491)
Requires state or territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a designated regional area. After 3 years living and working regionally, you may apply for permanent residence through the 191.
Test scores you need for each English level
English is often the fastest way to add points: moving from Competent to Superior English adds 20. Minimum scores below apply to each component and reflect the scores in force since 7 August 2025.
| English level | Points | IELTS (each band) | PTE Academic (L / R / W / S) | TOEFL iBT (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 0 | 6 | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | 16 / 16 / 19 / 19 |
| Proficient | 10 | 7 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 |
| Superior | 20 | 8 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET, Michigan MET and LanguageCert are also accepted, with their own score tables. Results are generally accepted for 3 years from the test date and must be valid at the time of invitation. Passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland meet Competent English without a test. Always confirm current scores on the Home Affairs website before you book a test.
Plan your skilled migration pathway with a registered migration agent
Your points score is only one part of the picture. In your consultation we will:
- Check every points claim against the evidence you will need
- Confirm your occupation, skills assessment and best visa pathway: 189, 190 or 491
- Build a plan to lift your points: English, experience, NAATI CCL, Professional Year
- Get your EOI and state nomination applications ready for 2026–27
Pick a time that suits you in the EMK Global booking calendar. Add your points total in the notes so our agent can prepare before your consultation.
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
Is 65 points enough to get invited?
65 is the minimum to lodge an EOI, not a guarantee of an invitation. Invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs in each occupation, and in recent rounds many occupations were invited at 75 to 95 points. Some construction trades were reported at 65 in the October 2026 subclass 189 round. State nomination for the 190 or 491 can be a realistic option at lower scores, depending on your occupation and the state's criteria.
Are the points different for the 189, 190 and 491?
The points table is the same for all three. The only difference is the nomination bonus: 5 points for state or territory nomination under the 190, and 15 points for nomination or eligible family sponsorship under the 491. The 189 has no bonus.
When are my points assessed?
Points are assessed at the time you are invited to apply. If your age bracket changes or an English test expires before an invitation, your score can drop. You also need to meet every claim when you lodge the visa application, so keep your EOI updated.
Is the points test changing?
The Government announced in the May 2026 Federal Budget that it will reform the points test to select better-educated, higher-skilled and younger migrants. As at October 2026 no new points table or start date has been published, so the current table still applies. We will update this calculator as soon as official changes are released.
Can I claim points for both Australian and overseas work experience?
Yes, but the combined total is capped at 20 points. The work must be in your nominated occupation or a closely related one, for at least 20 hours a week, within the 10 years before invitation. Many skills assessing authorities also set a date from which your employment is counted as skilled.
How do partner points work?
You can claim 10 points if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or if your partner is under 45, has Competent English and has a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same list as yours. You can claim 5 points if your partner only has Competent English. Your partner must be included in the visa application to count for the skills-based points.
Which qualifications earn points?
Only your highest qualification counts: 20 points for a doctorate, 15 for a bachelor or master's degree, and 10 for an Australian diploma or trade qualification, or another qualification recognised by your assessing authority. Separate bonus points are available for meeting the Australian study requirement (5), regional study (5) and specialist STEM research degrees from an Australian institution (10).
Does a higher score help with state nomination?
Usually, yes. Most states rank applicants using their SkillSelect points, often alongside factors such as occupation, residence, employment in the state and, for Victoria, the separate Victorian Points Test. Each state publishes its own 2026–27 criteria, and these can change during the year.
Ready to take the next step?
Send your enquiry today and let our migration experts help you plan your pathway.
Is your profile competitive enough?
Book a session with our registered migration agent for an honest assessment and a clear plan.