How Many Points Do You Really Need for a 189 Visa?

The official pass mark for the 189 visa is 65 points. But if you submit an EOI at 65, you will almost certainly never be invited. Here is the reality.

The gap between pass mark and reality

The 65-point pass mark means you are eligible to submit an EOI. It does not mean you will receive an invitation. The actual invitation threshold depends on your occupation and the current round.

Realistic invitation scores (current):

• Highly competitive occupations (accountants, auditors): 90-100 points
• Moderate competition (engineers, IT): 80-90 points
• Lower competition (health, trades, niche occupations): 70-85 points

How to calculate your score

Use the points calculator to get an estimate. The main scoring categories are:

• Age: 25-32 years old = 30 points (maximum)
• English: IELTS 8+ = 20 points (maximum)
• Experience: 8+ years overseas = 15 points, 8+ years in Australia = 20 points
• Education: PhD = 20 points, bachelor = 15 points
• Other: Australian study, specialist education, community language, partner skills

The fastest ways to improve your score

1. English test - Going from Competent (0pts) to Superior (20pts) is the single biggest lever. Many applicants improve their IELTS score by 1-2 bands with dedicated preparation.
2. State nomination - A 190 visa adds 5 points, and a 491 adds 15 points. If you cannot reach competitive 189 scores, this is often the pragmatic choice.
3. Partner skills - If your partner also has a skills assessment and competent English, you gain 5-10 points.
4. Professional year - Available for accounting, IT, and engineering graduates in Australia. Adds 5 points but takes 44 weeks.

When to consider alternatives

If your realistic 189 score is below 80, strongly consider the 190 or 491 pathway. Many people fixate on the 189 when a state nomination would get them PR faster.