Points Test & EOI Complete Guide: How to Calculate and Maximise Your Score

VJ Consulting and Education works with skilled migrants across a wide range of occupations and visa pathways, and the questions below reflect the most common points-related decisions our clients face.

#Is $70,000 a good salary in Australia?

$70,000 is below the median full-time salary in Australia, which sits around $98,218 per annum as of 2024, but it remains a liveable income in most cities outside of Sydney and Melbourne. For skilled migration purposes, however, salary comparisons are not how the points test works — your points score is determined by age, qualifications, English proficiency, and work experience, not your earnings.

What matters for visa eligibility is whether your nominated occupation meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of $73,150 per year (from 1 July 2024). If you are on a sponsored visa pathway, $70,000 would fall short of this floor. For the points-tested stream, income is not directly scored.

Tip: If your salary question is really about whether you can sustain yourself while pursuing PR, $70,000 is workable in regional areas or smaller cities, though tight in Sydney or Melbourne after rent and living costs.

#Is $75,000 a good salary in Australia?

$75,000 clears the TSMIT floor and is broadly considered a fair entry-level professional salary in Australia, though it sits well below the national median for full-time workers. For skilled migration applicants, the number is meaningful in one specific context: if you are pursuing employer-sponsored pathways such as the Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 visa, your salary must meet or exceed the TSMIT of $73,150.

For points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), your salary does not affect your points tally. What affects your score is your years of skilled work experience — 8+ years of overseas or Australian experience can contribute up to 20 points alone.

Tip: If your occupation is on the skilled list and your employer is willing to sponsor, $75,000 can open the Employer Sponsorship pathway without needing to compete in invitation rounds.

#Is $70,000 dollars a good salary in Australia?

The short answer is: adequate but not competitive relative to Australian median wages. This question often arises from applicants wondering whether their earnings overseas will translate well once they arrive. In purchasing power terms, $70,000 AUD in a regional centre goes considerably further than the same figure in Melbourne's inner suburbs.

For the Skilled Migration points test specifically, your annual salary is not a scoring criterion. What you should focus on instead is your points profile across the five key categories: age, English, qualifications, work experience, and state nomination or partner points. A candidate earning $70,000 with superior English and 8 years of skilled work experience will outscore a higher-earning candidate who has only competent English and 3 years of experience.

#Is 7000 AUD a good salary in Australia?

$7,000 AUD per month (approximately $84,000 per year) is a reasonable professional salary that sits comfortably above the TSMIT threshold and is competitive in most non-metropolitan labour markets. In Sydney or Melbourne, $7,000 per month affords a comfortable lifestyle without being high-income by local standards.

For visa purposes, monthly earnings only matter on employer-sponsored pathways. If you are pursuing a points-tested PR route via the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 visa, what matters is your total points score — not your salary. At $84,000 annually, you would clear the TSMIT and be in a viable position to pursue either a sponsored or points-tested pathway.

#Is $75000 a good salary in Australia?

Yes — $75,000 is functional for skilled migration purposes, particularly for employer-sponsored visa holders. It exceeds the TSMIT, meaning your employer can lawfully sponsor you for roles at this pay rate under the Subclass 482 visa.

For context, $75,000 places you in roughly the bottom third of full-time earnings nationally. However, geographic context matters: in regional Queensland, South Australia, or Tasmania, $75,000 can represent a genuinely competitive local wage for your field.

#What is the invitation round for EOI?

An invitation round is the periodic process by which the Department of Home Affairs selects the highest-scoring EOI candidates from the SkillSelect pool and issues them invitations to apply for a visa. Rounds are conducted monthly for most visa subclasses, though the exact date and number of invitations issued per round are not publicly announced in advance.

During each round, the system ranks all active EOIs by points score, then by date of submission (to break ties). The Department invites applicants down the ranked list until it reaches a points score threshold — this is the "cutoff" for that round. Applicants below the cutoff remain in the pool for future rounds.

Key invitation round facts:

• Rounds occur approximately monthly for 189, 190, and 491 visas
• Invitation numbers per round are set by annual program caps
• Your EOI remains active for 2 years from submission
• If an occupation's round closes mid-pool, remaining applicants carry forward

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#What is the EOI invitation round in Australia?

An EOI invitation round is a scheduled selection event — not an open application window. This distinction confuses many applicants who treat the EOI as a visa application itself. The EOI is simply your expression of interest; the invitation round is when the government decides whether to invite you.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, SkillSelect operates as a competitive pool. You do not "pass" or "fail" when you submit an EOI — you simply enter the ranked queue. Whether you receive an invitation depends on how your score compares to other candidates in the same occupation and visa stream during each round.

One of the most common misconceptions we encounter: applicants who receive no invitation for 6–12 months assume their EOI was rejected. It was not — it remains active. The cutoff simply hasn't reached their score yet.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#What is the invitation round for EOI in Australia?

The invitation round determines the minimum points score needed to receive an invite in any given month. This cutoff is not published in advance and varies by occupation and visa stream. The Department of Home Affairs publishes historical cutoff data after each round, which is the only reliable guide to what score you need.

Historically observed cutoff ranges (2024–2025):

Tip: Submitting your EOI as soon as you hit your target score matters — in tie-breaking situations, earlier submission dates rank higher. Every week you delay costs you position in the queue.

→ Deep Dive: How to Calculate Your EOI Points Score

#Can I get PR with 65 points?

Yes, but only via the regional pathway — and it will be very difficult for the 189 or 190 visa. The absolute minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points, and the Subclass 491 regional visa is the most likely route to PR at this score. After holding a 491 for 3 years and meeting the income threshold, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

For the Subclass 189, 65 points has not been sufficient to receive an invitation in any recent round. The 189 cutoff has consistently sat at 80 points or higher for most occupations.

One of our clients, a social worker based in regional Victoria, received her 491 invitation at exactly 65 points in 2024 — but her occupation was specifically in shortage in that state, and her EOI had been sitting in the pool for over 14 months before the round reached her score.

#Is 70 points enough for a 491 visa?

70 points is a competitive and often sufficient score for the Subclass 491 visa, particularly for occupations experiencing genuine regional shortages. Remember: the 491 applicant's effective score for ranking purposes is their raw points score, but the 15-point regional bonus is only awarded after you receive the invitation — it applies to a subsequent 191 application, not your EOI ranking.

At 70 raw points, you are well above the 65-point minimum, and for many state/territory nomination streams, 70 points is sufficient to receive an invitation within a reasonable timeframe.

One applicant we worked with, a bricklayer who had accumulated 3 years of Australian work experience, received his 491 invitation at 70 points after 4 months in the pool. His occupation appeared on the relevant skilled occupation list for the nominating territory.

Tip: If you are at 70 points, investigate which states are actively nominating your occupation — state streams often clear at lower cutoffs than the national pool.

#Is 75 points enough for a 190 visa?

75 points is generally sufficient for the Subclass 190 visa in most states, though not guaranteed for high-demand states like NSW or Victoria. The 190 state nomination adds 5 points to your base score (meaning if your base is 75, you compete with an effective 80 points against 189 applicants).

States like South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia have historically cleared 190 rounds at 65–75 points for occupations on their state-specific shortage lists. New South Wales and Victoria typically require higher base scores before nominating.

Tip: At 75 base points, apply for 190 state nomination across multiple states simultaneously. Each nomination is assessed separately, and you only need one acceptance.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#Can I apply 491 with 50 points?

No — 50 points is below the absolute minimum of 65 points required to submit an EOI. You cannot lodge an EOI at 50 points, and therefore cannot be considered for any invitation round for the Subclass 491, 189, or 190 visa.

If your current score is around 50 points, here is a practical roadmap to close the gap:

Moving from 50 to 65 points is achievable for most candidates within 12–24 months by focusing on English proficiency and accumulating Australian work experience.

#What is the minimum score to get 189 invitation?

The practical minimum to receive a Subclass 189 invitation in recent rounds has been approximately 80–85 points for most occupations — significantly higher than the 65-point technical minimum to submit an EOI. This gap is the most important number for 189 applicants to understand.

Historical invitation data published by the Department of Home Affairs confirms that sub-80 invitations are extremely rare on the 189 stream and typically only occur for occupations with very low EOI competition.

One of our clients, an architect with 85 points, received his 189 invitation in November 2025. He described the relief of finally clearing the cutoff after two failed attempts at 75 and 80 points respectively.

Tip: For most 189 applicants, targeting 85 points is the pragmatic strategy — not the absolute minimum, but a score that reliably receives invitations within a reasonable timeframe across most occupations.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#How many points do you need for EOI?

You need a minimum of 65 points to submit an EOI, but this figure is misleading as a planning target. Submitting at 65 points places you in a very large pool of applicants who may wait months or years without receiving an invitation, or never receive one at all. Among the applicants VJCE has assisted, those who entered SkillSelect at exactly 65 points rarely received invitations for competitive streams, making early identification of additional claimable factors a priority.

The EOI points requirements by visa stream as a planning guide:

The distinction between "minimum to submit" and "minimum to receive an invitation" is the single most important concept in skilled migration planning. Many applicants waste months in the pool at 65–70 points hoping for a 189 invitation that will not come.

→ Deep Dive: How to Calculate Your EOI Points Score

#How many points do you need for EOI Australia?

65 points is the floor to enter SkillSelect; 80+ points is the practical target for the Subclass 189. This answer repeats across several variations of the same question because it is genuinely the most misunderstood figure in Australian skilled migration.

A migration consultancy we work with regularly summarised it clearly for clients in a group session: the 65-point minimum was set years ago when competition was lower. In today's pool, treating 65 as your target is like applying for a job with the bare minimum qualifications — technically eligible, practically unlikely.

The English language component alone illustrates this well. Upgrading from Competent English (0 points) to Superior English (20 points) can close most of the gap between 65 and 85 points — a gap that makes the difference between indefinite waiting and a near-certain invitation.

→ Deep Dive: How to Calculate Your EOI Points Score

#Is 70 points enough for 189?

No — 70 points is not sufficient to receive a Subclass 189 invitation in current rounds. Recent historical data shows 189 cutoffs have not dipped below 80 points for any mainstream occupation in 2024 or 2025. At 70 points, your EOI will sit in the pool indefinitely without receiving a 189 invitation under current program settings.

If you currently hold 70 points, you have two realistic options:

1. Upgrade to 75–85 points — target superior English (+10 points over competent), add a year of Australian work experience (+5), or qualify for skilled partner points (+10)
2. Pivot to 190 or 491 — at 70 points, you are a competitive candidate for state-nominated or regional pathways

One applicant we worked with, an ICT Business Analyst, made this pivot in 2023. Starting at 70 base points, he obtained state nomination through NSW (adding 5 points), bringing his competitive score to effectively 75 for the 190 round. His PR was granted within 6 months.

#What's the ACS points test?

The ACS points test is the skills assessment process conducted by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) for ICT-related occupations. It is not a separate "points test" — rather, it is a prerequisite skills assessment that determines whether your qualifications and experience are recognised for the purposes of the main immigration points test.

To claim points in the core immigration points test, you first need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. For ICT occupations, that authority is the ACS.

A positive ACS assessment confirms:

• Your highest qualification is assessed at the relevant Australian qualification level
• Your work experience is recognised as skilled and relevant to your nominated occupation
• You meet the experience requirements for your specific ANZSCO occupation code

Points you can then claim from the immigration points test (subject to ACS assessment confirming your credentials):

Tip: ACS processing times currently run 4–8 weeks for standard applications. Factor this into your EOI submission timeline.

#Can I get PR with 70 points in Australia?

Yes — PR is achievable at 70 points, but the pathway is the Subclass 491 regional visa followed by Subclass 191, not the Subclass 189. At 70 base points, the 491 is a realistic near-term invitation prospect for many occupations, and after 3 years of regional residence and work, the 191 permanent visa becomes available.

The 190 pathway is also possible at 70 points depending on state and occupation, particularly in South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.

What you cannot realistically do at 70 points in 2025–2026 is obtain a 189 invitation. The 189 pathway to PR requires a minimum of 80+ points in the current environment.

#Is 70 points enough for 190?

At 70 base points, you are a competitive candidate for the Subclass 190 visa in select states, though not guaranteed a nomination. The 190 adds 5 points upon nomination, so your effective score when lodging the visa application is 75 — which is viable across most 190 rounds outside of NSW and Victoria. VJ Consulting agents generally advise candidates sitting at 70 base points for the 190 to research state-specific occupation lists and nomination requirements thoroughly before lodging, as state demand can shift significantly between rounds.

The critical variable is whether your occupation appears on the state's specific nomination list for that migration year. States update their occupation lists frequently, and some close to new applications mid-year once their quota is filled.

Tip: At exactly 70 points, we recommend applying for 190 nomination in at least 3–4 states simultaneously. Do not wait to hear back from one before applying to another — state nomination is non-exclusive and time-critical.

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#What is the OET score for Australia?

For Australian visa purposes, the Occupational English Test (OET) requires a minimum grade of B in all four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) to demonstrate Proficient English. This equates to a score of 350 or above in each section.

The OET is most commonly used by healthcare professionals — doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health workers — because the test uses medical scenarios that reflect real workplace language. For skilled migration, it is accepted as an alternative to IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam.

OET grade benchmarks for migration purposes:

Tip: For nurses and doctors pursuing the Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 employer-sponsored pathway, OET B is the standard requirement. For the points-tested stream, the same OET B result contributes 10 points as Proficient English.

→ Deep Dive: PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas

#Is 70 a good score for 491 visa Australia?

Yes — 70 points is a genuinely competitive score for the Subclass 491, and in many occupation-specific rounds, it is sufficient to receive an invitation within 3–6 months of submitting your EOI. The 491 is specifically designed as a pathway for skilled workers who cannot reach the higher cutoffs required for the 189 or 190.

What makes 70 points workable for the 491 is the combination of:

1. Lower competition overall (fewer applicants target regional visas)
2. State and territory nomination streams with their own occupation shortage lists
3. Active government incentives to attract skilled workers to regional areas

After receiving a 491 invitation, you live and work in a designated regional area for 3 years, then apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa — at which point the effective points score for 191 eligibility includes the 15-point regional bonus.

#Is 75 points good for a 190 visa?

75 points is a strong starting position for the Subclass 190 and represents a realistic pathway to PR nomination for most occupations across most states. With the 5-point nomination bonus, your effective score becomes 80 points — which is the benchmark many HR officers and migration agents use as the "solid" threshold for 190 applicants.

One of our clients, a nurse who had taken NAATI CCL to secure the 5-point community language bonus, reached exactly 75 base points and received SA nomination for her occupation within 6 weeks of submitting her EOI. Her PR was granted approximately 9 months later.

Key factors that determine whether 75 points converts to an invitation:

• Occupation demand in your target state
• Time in the pool (earlier EOI submission date wins ties)
• State quota availability for your occupation in the current program year

Tip: At 75 points, do not limit yourself to one or two states. Cast wide — every additional state nomination you apply for is another chance at an invitation.

#Is 75 a good score for 189 visa Australia?

75 points is not sufficient for a Subclass 189 invitation in current rounds — and this is one of the most common miscalculations we see from applicants who worked hard to reach 75 and assumed they were competitive for the independent visa stream.

The 189 cutoff has not reached 75 points for any major occupation in 2024 or 2025. Applicants at 75 points who target the 189 exclusively will typically wait the full 2-year EOI validity without receiving an invitation, then need to resubmit.

The correct framing at 75 points:

• 189: Borderline — only viable if you can identify a recent round where your specific occupation cleared at 75, which is extremely rare
• 190: Strong — 75 base + 5 nomination = 80 effective, which is competitive in most states
• 491: Very strong — likely to receive an invitation within months for most occupations

→ Deep Dive: Australian Points Test: Minimum Scores & EOI

#Is 57 a good score in PTE for Australia?

PTE Academic 57 is not sufficient for Proficient English and falls short of visa requirements for most skilled migration pathways. A PTE score of 57 across all four communicative skills corresponds roughly to IELTS 6.5 — which is above the Competent English floor but below Proficient.

PTE score benchmarks for Australian visas:

At a score of 57, you may not even clear the Competent English minimum (50 in each communicative skill) depending on which components scored lower. Before claiming any English points in your EOI, confirm that every individual skill score meets the minimum threshold for your claimed level — not just your overall score.

Tip: A PTE score of 57 in any single component drops your English classification to Competent, regardless of other components. If you are aiming for 65+ in all skills, targeted preparation for your weakest skill is essential.

→ Deep Dive: PTE Score Requirements for Australian Visas

#How to calculate EOI points?

Your EOI points score is the sum of points claimed across six categories, and the calculation is straightforward once you know which criteria apply to your situation. The categories, maximum points, and typical values are:

Worked example: A 30-year-old software engineer, superior PTE, Australian bachelor's degree, 3 years Australian work experience, skilled partner: 30 + 20 + 15 + 10 + 5 + 10 = 90 points

Important: A client we worked with learned this the hard way — claiming incorrect points is treated as misrepresentation. As one of our MARA-registered agents warns every client:

→ Deep Dive: How to Calculate Your EOI Points Score

#Partner Points: The 10-Point Bonus Most Applicants Miss

**Claiming the 10-point skilled partner bonus is