Gain Additional Points

Sit an English Test

Immigration wants applicants with a high level of English ability. Therefore you can receive additional points for your English level.

NZ, UK, Irish, Canadian and US passport holders are all automatically allocated Competent English and do not need to provide evidence of English language for the visa. However many native speakers sit an English test in order to receive additional points. 

• Competent English (equivalent of IELTS 6 in all 4 bands or hold a NZ/UK/Irish/Canadian/US passport)
• Proficient English (equivalent of IELT’S 7 in all 4 bands) – 10 points
• Superior English (equivalent of IELT’S 8 in all 4 bands) – 20 points

Please note acceptable English tests include: IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, CAE or TOEFL iBT.

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.

Partner’s Skills

• Single – 10 points
• You have a skilled partner. This means that your partner is under 45 years of age, obtains a positive skill assessment in a job on the same shortage list as you and has Competent English – 10 points
• Your partner who can demonstrate Competent English. The partner can be over 45 years of age – 5 points

Obtain Australian Work Experience

Many students can gain 5 points for 1 years work experience in the nominated occupation for work completed in Australia. Many applicants gain the 1 years work experience on either the Graduate Work Visa, Working Holiday Visa or Student Visa.

– The work you undertake must be paid and you must work for at least 20 hours per week

– The work experience can only be counted once you have met the skill level required by the Skills Assessor. For example in most instances work experience can only be counted once they have completed their qualification.

Become an Accredited Translator

Applicants may receive 5 additional points if they are an accredited translator and interpreter.

You must become accredited as a para-professional interpreter or translator (level 2) by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

STEM Qualification

10 points for Masters or PhD level Australian qualification in specific areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM). This change is driven by the importance of STEM skills to Australia’s ongoing innovation and economic success.