For example, a civil engineer in Kuala Lumpur, aged 38, has eight years of experience, and his wife is an accountant in Singapore. A friend tells them that “65 points is enough” for Australian skilled migration, and their own tally comes to exactly 65. But 65 is only the legal minimum, and invitations often go to applicants with higher scores. More importantly, every point must be supported by evidence: whether the assessing authority recognises all eight years of experience, whether the partner points are available, and whether the English name on the passport matches the degree certificate can all change the outcome.
This article looks at the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) from the perspective of professionals in Asia, with a brief note on the employer-sponsored regional visa (subclass 494).
How do the 189, 190, 491 and 494 visas differ?
- Subclass 189:a permanent visa with no state or employer sponsor. It depends entirely on your points ranking and an invitation from the federal government.
- Subclass 190:a permanent visa that requires nomination by a state or territory government. Nomination adds 5 points, and you are generally expected to commit to living in that state for a period.
- Subclass 491:a five-year provisional visa requiring state or territory nomination (or sponsorship by an eligible relative). It adds 15 points, and holders must live and work in a designated regional area. After meeting residence, work and income requirements over three years, holders may apply for the permanent subclass 191 visa.
- Subclass 494:a provisional visa nominated by an employer in a regional area. It generally requires a relevant skills assessment and work experience, and also leads to the subclass 191 permanent visa.
The points test: 65 is only the threshold
Applicants first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. You must be under 45 when invited and score at least 65 points. Invitations are issued by occupation and ranking, and in popular occupations the score needed in practice is often well above 65. The main points categories are:
- Age:30 points for ages 25–32; 25 points for 18–24 and 33–39; 15 points for 40–44.
- English:Competent English is the minimum and earns no points; Proficient English earns 10 and Superior English earns 20.
- Employment:up to 15 points for skilled employment overseas and up to 20 for skilled employment in Australia, capped at 20 combined.
- Qualifications:20 for a doctorate, 15 for a bachelor or master’s degree, 10 for a diploma or trade qualification, plus extra points for Australian study, regional study and certain STEM research degrees.
- Partner:10 points if you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; 10 if your partner is under 45, has Competent English and a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same list; 5 if your partner has Competent English only.
- Other:5 points for state nomination (190) or 15 (491), 5 for a NAATI Credentialed Community Language, and 5 for a Professional Year.
Note that points are assessedat the time of invitation. A birthday, or an English result or skills assessment expiring while you wait, can reduce your score. The government has also flagged a review of the points test, so check the current rules before applying.
Skills assessment and recognition of overseas qualifications
Each nominated occupation has a designated assessing authority. The assessment decides not only whether you can apply but also which years of experience count for points. Common examples:
- Engineers:assessed by Engineers Australia. If your degree is accredited by a Washington Accord signatory (signatories include bodies in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan), a simpler pathway is usually available; otherwise you will generally need a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). Eligibility depends on the specific program and year of graduation.
- ICT professionals:assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), which may deduct a period of experience before treating you as skilled, directly affecting employment points.
- Accountants:assessed by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) or IPA, which check whether your degree covers the required core knowledge areas. Extra subjects may be needed.
- Doctors and nurses:registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the relevant board is required, and ANMAC assesses nurses and midwives for skilled migration. Registration pathways for overseas doctors depend on qualifications and specialty and can take considerable time, so plan early.
English requirements and the state nomination landscape
Accepted English tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET and Cambridge English. From 7 August 2025, CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic and the Michigan English Test (MET) were added, and PTE score requirements at each level were adjusted. Make sure your result is still valid when you are invited.
Each state and territory publishes its own criteria and allocations every financial year.Victoria’s2025–26 nomination program filled and closed, and as at early October 2026 details of the 2026–27 program had not yet been published. Under recent settings, onshore 190 applicants needed to live in Victoria, offshore applicants could be considered for both 190 and 491, and applicants lodged a Registration of Interest (ROI) through Live in Melbourne. Several other states and territories have progressively opened their 2026–27 programs, but criteria vary widely and need to be checked one by one.
Realistic timing
Skilled migration usually runs in stages: an English test, a skills assessment (weeks to months), lodging an EOI, waiting for an invitation or state nomination, lodging the visa application within 60 days of invitation, and then processing, including health checks and police certificates. The wait for an invitation cannot be predicted and depends on your occupation, score and that year’s allocations. Allow plenty of time, and don’t let your English result or skills assessment expire while you wait.
Common mistakes by applicants from Asia
- Claiming points you cannot evidence:claims in your EOI must be supported by evidence at invitation. False or misleading information can lead to refusal and a period during which certain visas cannot be granted.
- Weak employment evidence from Asian employers:reference letters should be on letterhead and state the position, weekly hours, duties, salary and dates, supported by payslips and tax or provident fund records (for example, Malaysian EA forms and EPF statements, Singapore CPF statements, Hong Kong MPF records or mainland China social insurance records). Employment in a family business usually attracts closer scrutiny.
- Name and date inconsistencies:differences between pinyin, Cantonese or Hokkien romanisations, English names, former names and dates of birth across passports, degrees and employment records need to be explained and documented in advance.
- Non-compliant translations:documents not in English need English translations that meet the Department’s requirements for translator details. Translations done in Australia generally need a NAATI-certified translator.
- Choosing the wrong occupation:the same job title does not mean the same occupation. Your nominated ANZSCO occupation must match your actual duties, or the assessment may fail or be questioned later.
Pre-application checklist
- Confirm you will still be under 45 at invitation and work out when your age points will change.
- Check that your occupation is on the relevant list and accepted by your target state.
- Confirm your qualification and countable years of experience with the assessing authority.
- Gather reference letters, payslips, and tax and provident fund records.
- Align names and dates of birth across all documents, or prepare supporting explanations.
- Assess whether your partner can contribute points, and arrange their English test and skills assessment early.
Frequently asked questions
Will 65 points guarantee an invitation?
No. 65 is the minimum. Invitations are issued by occupation and ranking, and popular occupations usually need higher scores. State nomination also considers occupation demand, where you live and your work experience.
Does my experience in Malaysia, Singapore or mainland China count for points?
Yes, if it is skilled employment closely related to your nominated occupation and recognised by the assessing authority. Overseas experience can earn up to 15 points and must be well documented.
I am 45. Do I have any options?
The 189, 190 and 491 visas require you to be under 45 when invited. People aged 45 or over may consider other pathways, such as age exemptions under some employer-sponsored visas or business visas, depending on their circumstances.
Can a 491 visa lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After living and working in a designated regional area for three years and meeting the income requirement, 491 holders may apply for the permanent subclass 191 visa.
Is Victoria accepting state nomination applications now?
As at early October 2026, Victoria’s 2025–26 program had closed and details of the 2026–27 program had not yet been published. Watch the Live in Melbourne website for updates.
Chua Tan Associates has practised in Melbourne since 1990. Our team includes two Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, and we advise in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. Whether you are in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Taipei or mainland China, you can meet us in person at our Melbourne CBD office at 262 Queen Street or consult by video from overseas. Call 03 9602 3988 or contact us online to have your points, skills assessment pathway and state nomination options reviewed before you commit time and money.
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This article is general information only and is not legal advice.
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