Tag: points-test visa

  • How To Calculate Your Points Score For...

    Planning on lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 189, 190, or 491 visas, the one of the first steps will be to calculate your points score for Australian visas. This is to make you meet the minimum requirement of 65 points. In this article, we will look at how points are calculated.

    How to calculate your points score for Australian visas - 491, 189, & 190

    When applying for any of the points-based visas you start off by submitting an EOI. As part of the EOI process, you will be given an indicative points score based on the information you provide relating to the points criteria. If you do not score a minimum of 65 points you will not qualify and will not receive an invitation to apply for the visa, so it’s important you calculate your points score before submitting your EOI.

    You can calculate your points score for Australian visas by using the general skilled self-assessment test, below explains how each section is scored. Calculating your own points should only be used as a guideline, it is always recommended to use a Registered Migration Agent who will be able to do a thorough assessment of your points and advise accordingly.

    Calculating your point score

    To calculate your current point score for Australian visas, answer the questions for each section below, keep a note of the points you score for each section and then add them up at the end. 

    It’s important to remember that your final points score will be calculated at the time you are invited to apply for the visa. Therefore, the score you calculate today should only be used as an estimate as your answers to each question may change by the time you receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

    Section 1: Visa Subclass

    Which of the following visas are you planning on applying for?

    Maximum score = 15 points

    Section 2: Age

    Which age bracket do you fall into?

    Maximum score = 30 points

    Section 3: English Language Ability

    What is your English language ability?

    Maximum score = 20 points

    Section 4: Employment History

    Part 1: Overseas Skilled Employment Experience

    In the last 10 years, how many years of experience (from outside of Australia), do you have in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation?

    Maximum score = 15 points

    Part 2: Australian Skilled Employment Experience

    In the last 10 years, how many years of Australian work experience do you have in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation?

    Maximum score = 20 points

    Note. You can only score a maximum score of 20 points in this section ‘Employment History.’ That means if your combined score for Part 1 and Part 2 is over 20 points, you will only be awarded 20 points.

    Section 5: Educational Qualifications 

    What is your highest level of recognised qualification completed in Australia or from overseas?

    Maximum score = 20 points

    Section 6: Australian study requirement

    Have you successfully completed studies in Australia for a degree, diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification(s) that is relevant to your nominated occupation? The course must have taken a minimum of two years to complete, and have been taught on a full-time basis and in English.

    Maximum score = 5 points

    Section 7: Study in Regional Australia or a low population growth area

    Have you completed and been awarded a degree, diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification(s), where the course took a minimum of two years to complete, was full-time, the campus of your institute was located in a regional area of Australia and you also lived in a regional area during the two years of study?

    Maximum score = 5 points

    Section 8: Specialist education qualifications 

    Have you completed a Masters by research or PhD (Doctorate degree) by an Australian educational institute which included a minimum of two years of study in a specialist field (currently STEM and ICT)?

    Maximum score = 10 points

    Section 9: Professional year in Australia

    Since finishing studying, have you completed a professional year in Australia in your nominated occupation? Currently, this is only available for Engineers, Accountants and ICT professionals, and must have been completed within four years of you being invited to apply for the visa.

    Maximum score = 5 points

    Section 10: Credentialed community language

    Do you hold a recognised qualification in a credentialed community language? 

    Recognised qualifications must be for translating or interpreting by the National Accreditation Authority for translators and Interpreters and include being;

    • accredited at a paraprofessional level or above, or
    • having a community language credential, or 
    • having been certified at a certified provisional level or above.

    Maximum score = 5 points

    Section 11: Partner skills

    Which of the following applies to you:

    Maximum score = 10 points

    Summary

    Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of your point score for Australian visas and your visa options. If you plan on lodging an EOI for either the 491 or 190 state-sponsored visas, we highly recommend in addition to calculating your points score, you check each state or territory’s current list of occupations that can apply and additional requirements, as these may vary from the general visa requirements. Each state or territory will regularly update their website 491 and 190 pages to reflect its current requirements, so they are worth monitoring. You will find links to each state or territory’s 491 and 190 pages through our Visa Jobs 491 and 190 visa pages.

    If you have questions, need help, or have any questions, contact Visa Jobs today.

    More visa information

    Disclaimer

    All of the information provided has been gathered and written based on general information that is available at the Department of Home Affairs website.

    This information is not legal advice and should be used for general information purposes only. 

    We strongly recommend you engage a Registered Migration Agent who can complete a full assessment and advise you accordingly. If you would like to be connected with a Registered Migration Agent, please contact us and we will find an agent to help you.  

    Let Visa Jobs help you get your Australian visa

    If you are interested in learning more about points-based visas, contact us today. We will explain the process, visa requirements, and connect you with Registered Migration Agents. Get started today with Visa Jobs!

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  • 189 Visa – The Ultimate Australian Permanent...

    If you are a skilled worker looking to migrate permanently to Australia, the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 visa or 189 visa, is the ultimate visa! This visa is very similar to the Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190, with one main difference – unlike the 190 visa, you do not need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. This article will give you a brief overview of the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189, including who it is for, the costs, eligibility requirements and much more!

    Why the Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 is the best Australian PR visa

    The Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 is the most desired Permanent Residency (PR) visa for skilled migrants. Mainly because once granted, you will be an Australian Permanent Resident (PR), which means more flexibility and freedom compared to other Australian visas. There are other PR visas but this doesn’t require you to find an employer or state/territory to support the application.

    Being the ultimate PR visa for Australia, the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 is very competitive and hard to get invited to apply for. If interested in the 189 visa, first check your occupation is listed, and then you have the required point-score to be invited.

    Why the Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 is the best Australian PR visa

    Available 189 visa occupations

    The table below lists all of the occupations that can apply through the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189. To check the ANZSCO description for your occupation, click on the button below the table and put your occupation’s ANZSCO code into the search box (top right corner) of the ANZSCO page. 

    The Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 is an invite only visa

    The 190 visa is an invite only visa

    For the 189 visa, like the 190 and 491 visas, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to SkillsSelect and then wait to be invited to apply.

    When you submit your EOI, your point score will be calculated and submitted. There are a set number of 189 visas that can be granted each year, therefore during the invitation round, applicants with the highest point scores in specific occupations are most likely to be invited to apply.

    With the Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189, you can include dependent family members either at the time of lodgement or after the visa has been approved.

    What you can do once granted a 189 visa

    Once you have had your Skilled Independent Visa subclass 189 granted, It’s important to understand what the visa allows you to do. Once approved a 189 visa, you can do the following:

      • Stay in Australia permanently
      • Live, work and study anywhere in your nominated state or territory
      • Enrol for medicare (Australia’s public health care program) 
      • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence 
      • Apply for Australian Citizenship (if eligible)

    The 189 visa requirements

    The main visa requirements for the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 are:

      • You are under the age of 45 at the time of being invited to apply 
      • Your occupation must be listed on the relevant occupation list
      • You have a valid Skills Assessment in your nominated occupation
      • You lodge an EOI and have been invited to apply for the visa 
      • You qualify for the points test (currently 65 points)
      • You can demonstrate a Competent Level of English or higher
      • You meet the health and character requirements
    The 189 visa requirements

    189 visa costs

    Migrating to Australia isn’t cheap, so it’s important to be aware of the major expenses for the 189 visa, from the start. You can then decide if it’s the best visa option for you.

    The main costs involved with applying for the 189 visa include:

    There may be additional costs to consider, such as airfare, skills assessments, English testing, and police certificates.

    Summary

    The Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 is a great PR visa for anyone who wants to migrate to Australia long term. It provides all of the benefits that you get from other Australian PR visas, however, you don’t have to find an employer or state/territory to sponsor you.

    It is extremely competitive so depending on your occupation and point score it may not be an option, or it may be quicker to apply for the 190 visa. To find out more or get help applying for this visa or any other Australian visas, get in contact with Visa Jobs today. We work with a number of reputable Registered Migration Agents who will be able to help you through the whole process.

    Learn more about Australian visas

    Disclaimer

    All of the information provided has been gathered and written based on general information that is available at the Department of Home Affairs website.

    This information is not legal advice and should be used for general information purposes only. 

    We strongly recommend you engage a Registered Migration Agent who can complete a full assessment and advise you accordingly. If you would like to be connected with a Registered Migration Agent, please contact us and we will find an agent to help you.  

    Interested in the 189 visa? Get started today

    Submitting your EOI and applying for the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 can be very complex. If you need professional help, contact Visa Jobs today and we can connect you with one of our Registered Migration Agent partners.

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