Points are awarded to the applicant according to how they meet the following criteria at the time of application.

The Points Test System includes the following:

A: Basic Requirements:

1. Skills

The applicant may receive 40 points, 50 points or 60 points for their nominated occupation, depending on how the applicant meets the Australian requirements for qualifications and skills. The applicant's skills assessment and nominate occupation are closely related to Australian labour market demands. There are 3 Points structure criteria:

• For occupations that require a Bachelor Degree and where professional training is specific to the occupation: 60 Points.
• For occupation where a Bachelor Degree is the minimum entry requirement though professional training is not specific to the occupation: 50 Points.
• For occupations where a Diploma is the minimum entry requirement though professional training need not be specific : 40 Points.
  (Note, the Government Gazette Notice specifically lists the available occupations, their Relevant Australian Authority and the corresponding Points they are awarded. Australia-Asia Education & Migration Centre can provide their clients with a current copy of the Skilled Occupation List.)

2. Age (at the time of application)

Points will be awarded to the applicant on the basis of their age, at the time of application according to the following:

• 18 - 29 years: 30 Points;
• 30 - 34 years: 25 Points;
• 35 - 39 years: 20 Points;
• 40 - 44 years: 15 Points.

3. English Language Proficiency

Points will be awarded to the applicant on the basis of their English Language Proficiency at the time of application, according to the following:

• The applicant receives 15 Points if they have received at least 5 points on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS Test, being Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
• The applicant receives 20 Points if they have received at least 6 points on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS Test, being Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

In some occupations the applicant may be required to sit the Occupational English Test or the IELTS Academic Test and will be awarded 20 Points if they pass the test.

B: Further Requirements:

4. Work Experience

The applicant may receive work experience points if they have worked in a nominated occupation before lodging their application. If the applicant has been employed in a nominated occupation, for at least three (3) out of the past four (4) years, immediately prior to the lodgment of their occupation, they may receive either 5 or 10 Points.

Their work experience need not necessarily be in their nominated occupation (though it has to be an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List).

5. Occupational Demand

The applicant may receive 5 Points if their nominated occupation in on the Migration Occupations in Demand List. The Migration Occupations in Demand List is initiated by DIMA according to current labour market shortages. The List may be modified or revised accordingly. The applicant may also receive an extra 5 Points if they have a job offer by an employer for an Occupation in Demand.

6. Australian Qualifications

The applicant may receive 5 Points if they have completed an Australian Degree, Diploma or Trade Certificate, which required at least twelve (12) months full-time study in Australia.

They can receive 10 Points if they have an Australian Ph.D, which required at least twelve (12) months full-time study in Australia.

The applicant can also lodge their application within six (6) months of completing the requirements for the award of the above qualifications without possessing work experience in their nominated occupation.

7. Spouse Skills

If the applicant's Spouse is able to satisfy the basic requirements of Skills, Age and English Language Proficiency, the applicant can be awarded an extra 5 Points.

8. Relative Sponsor

The applicant can receive an extra 15 Points if they are Sponsored by a relative who is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen.

9. Bonus Points

The applicant can receive 5 Bonus Points for any of the following:

• If the applicant possesses at least six (6) months legal Australian work experience during the immediate four (4) years immediately preceding the lodgment of their application, in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List. (Note, these Points are not available to those applicants who have worked while possessing a Bridging Visa.); or
• If the applicant has invested a minimum of AUD$100,000.00 in an approved Government investment for a term of at least 12 months; or
• If the applicant is fluent in one of the Community Languages. Proof of fluency is established either by possessing university qualifications where the language of accreditation by the National Accreditation Authority for translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the Professional Level (i.e. Level 3)

Please note, and applicant cannot receive more than 5 Points for this factor. If the applicant is able to satisfy more than one of the above, they still only receive 5 Points.