The first step to applying for general skilled migration (Subclass 189 or 190) is passing a skills assessment and obtaining at least 60 or more points in the Immigration Points Test .
The most common way applicants gain points are by Age, Education, English ability, Australian and overseas work experience, studying in Australia and studying in Regional Australia. Below is a short overview of some common ways to gain points
Ways to Gain Points
Australia Study Requirement
By completing a Degree, Diploma or Trade Qualification in a courses/courses that were completed in at least 2 years of academic study in Australia (and 16 calendar months of class study), you can gain an extra 5 points.
Regional Study
If you live and study in a regional area for at least 2 years, you gain an extra 5 points. Please note areas that are not classified as regional include: Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong. STUDYING IN PERTH DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO GAIN POINTS.
Some trade schools which offer study in regional Australia include:
Tafe QLD
- Tafe QLD (East Coast/Bundaberg) – Courses Available include – Automotive, Engineering Fabrication and Trade, Engineering Mechanical Trade
- Tafe QLD (North/ Cairns) – Commercial Cookery, Childcare
- Tafe QLD (Sunshine Coast) – Commercial Cookery, Childcare
- Tafe QLD (West) – Automotive,Commercial Cookery, Childcare
Tafe SA
- Automotive, Commercial Cookery
University
Many universities offer courses that may qualify for regional study including:
- Southern Cross University
- James Cook University
- University of Sunshine Coast
- University of Adelaide
- University of Tasmania
- Flinders University
- Charles Sturt
- University of New England
- Charles Darwin University
Professional Year
By completing a professional year in Australia in the occupation in which they studied, applicants can gain an extra 5 points A professional year is available an internship based learning program in which applicants are placed at a company. Professional Year programs are available to graduates in the engineering, accounting and computing field.
Below are some examples of ways someone study can help an applicant gain extra points
Example 1 – Ben is a 26 year old Malaysian factory worker. He would like to come to Australia to live and work, he has no experience in an occupation that is on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List. By studying a course that is on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, Ben may be able to allow himself to pass a skills assessment. Ben only has (30 points for age) and (10 points for proficient English). Ben would have a score of 40 in total. Ben would need 20 more points. Ben decided to undertake a 2 year automotive package at Tafe QLD in Bundaberg. This is a two year course:
- By completing a automotive course he would get 10.
- By studying this course in Australia for at least 2 years, he would get an extra 5
- By studying this course in a regional area, Ben would get an extra 5
With the additional 20 points, Ben would have a total of 60 points.
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Example 2 – Wendy is from China. She is 25 years old and has just graduated from a bachelor of Engineering in China. She has competent English (IELTS 6). Wendy would have a total of (30 points for her age) and (15 points for her education). A total of 45 points. Wendy has decided to study a Masters of Engineering at a university in Adelaide. This is a 2 year course.
- By studying a Masters or Bachelors in Australia for at least 2 years she gains 5
- By studying in Regional Australia, Wendy gains an extra 5
- After she finished her course, Wendy decided to undertake a professional year and gains an extra 5
With the additional 15 points, Wendy would have a total of 60 points
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Example 3 – Tim is from the UK. He is 29 years old and after graduating from university with a Bachelor in Business, he is now working as a store manager. Ben’s occupation is not on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List. At the moment, Ben would have (30 points for age) and (15 points for completing a bachelor degree). Ben would need 15 more points to be eligible for general skilled migration. By studying a course that is on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, Tim may be able to allow himself to pass a skills assessment. Tim decided to study Carpentry in Brisbane.
- By completing a 2 year trade course in Australia, Ben would gain 5
- By sitting the IELTS test and obtaining 7’s, Ben would gain 10
With the additional 15 points, Tim would have a total of 60 points.
If you are interested in studying a course that maximises your points feel free to contact Pathway to Aus:
P: +61 7 55 327 000
W: pathwaytoaus.com
Or comment or Enquire below
hi , im from Malaysian 36years old looking for migration in Australia i was study in Australia 2006 for English course completed and continue hairdressing course for two years after that i went back to Malaysia can you share with me which course should i apply .
Thanks
Hi Teh,
Basically the type of course depends on what you are looking to get out of it. Have a look through this link and check out some options that are available to study in Aus on a vocational level.
https://pathwaytoaus.com/services/study/
Regards,
PTA TEAM
Is Torrens University, Adelaide included in qualifying list of the university in the regional area?
Thanks
Hi Nazmul,
Yes Adelaide counts as regional, so it would count for the immi points test.
Cheers
Hi, does a masters program from University of South Australia, Adelaide account for regional points ?
Hi Mitesh,
Adelaide is included as a regional area for points.
Is university of Adelaide regional university?? If not ..what are the courses that come under extra regional points..?
Hi Vadlakonda,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi ,
To claim regional area 5 points, Do I need to live there for 16 months or 24 months ?
Thanks
Hi Koushan
You will find this article helpful:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi Nick.
I have the same question as Koushan.
I have just completed a CRICOS registered 92 weeks course. But I have completed it in 16 months and 2 days in Adelaide. I have lived in Adelaide for 17 months. Can I claim for additional 5 points based on regional study now or do I have to wait for completion of two years of stay to claim additional 5 points of regional study beside the regular claim of 5 points of meeting the australian study requirement ?
Hi Nishtha,
To discuss your specific circumstances, we would recommend that you book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents, you can do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hello,
If a student studying in a regional university can claim extra 5 points of the regional area if he/she lives outside the regional area (in a city which is no longer regional area)? what happens if he/she lives in a regional area ( actually low population area as per governments site under the postcode) far from the regional area where the university is and makes travel to go to school every week and does not miss the class that means can a student living in regional area other than his/ her university locates can claim extra 5 points because he/she studies in regional area and lives in regional area too though the both residing and university places are different.
Thanks
Hi Shobhakant,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Can i get regional points if i study in University Of Wollongong ?
Hi Pedda,
You will find this article helpful:
As noted, if you live and study in a regional area for at least 2 years, you gain an extra 5 points. Unfortunately, areas that are not classified as regional include Wollongong.
To discuss your individual circumstances, it may be best to book a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent, you can do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi there,
Is the 12 month experience required for the JRP valid as Australian work experience and as such worth another extra 5 points on the immigration points test?
Thank you
Angelo
Hi Angelo,
We have emailed you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi… I have a bachelor degree awarded by University of Newcastle, Australia, but this degree was completed in Singapore. Will I be able to claim 5 pts for this?
Hi Mac,
To discuss your specific circumstances, we would recommend that you book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents, you can do that here:
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi,
Will two or more courses can be done to get points for studying in regional areas?
Hi Denny,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Do I have to work in the regional area for 2 years after 2 years of studying there to avail 5 PR points?
Hi Karan,
We have contacted you directly.
Kind regards,
PTA Team
Hi, I have Skilled Recognized grauate visa (Subclass 476). Now I am in Sydney and I have 45 points (30 age + 15 education). Someone tell me that I need atleast 75 points to get PR.I’ll get 10 points from IELTS or PTE.Please guide me what should I do to get more points.
Hi Adnan,
We would love to assist with your application for PR. Please go ahead and book a consultation via this link:
Kind regards,
PTA Team