How the Australia PR Points Test Works

Australia's skilled migration program uses a points-based system to decide who gets invited to apply for permanent residency. You claim points across categories like age, English ability, work experience and qualifications. The higher your total, the better your chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through SkillSelect.

  • 65 points is the minimum to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
  • 65 only lets you enter the pool. You usually need more to actually be invited.
  • The points apply to the three main skilled visas: Subclass 189, 190 and 491.

The good news for nurses: Registered Nurse is a high-demand occupation, so nurses are invited at lower scores than crowded fields like IT and accounting.

Australia PR Points Table (October 2026)

These are the official SkillSelect points test values used in the calculator above. They are the values in force for EOIs lodged now.

1. Age

AgePoints
18 to 2425
25 to 32 Maximum30
33 to 3925
40 to 4415
45 or over Not eligible–

2. English Language

LevelIELTS (each band)Points
Superior8.020
Proficient7.010
Competent6.00

Competent English is the minimum requirement to apply. OET and PTE equivalents are accepted.

3. Skilled Employment Experience

ExperienceOverseasIn Australia
Under 1 year00
1 to under 3 years05
3 to under 5 years510
5 to under 8 years1015
8 years or more1520

Important: overseas and Australian experience are added together, but skilled employment points are capped at 20 combined. You cannot stack both beyond 20.

4. Educational Qualifications

QualificationPoints
Doctorate (PhD)20
Bachelor's or Master's degree (e.g. BSc Nursing, Post Basic BSc, MSc Nursing)15
Diploma (e.g. GNM, where recognised in your skills assessment)10

5. Partner and Other Points

FactorPoints
Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or PR10
Partner has a skills assessment and competent English (under 45)10
Partner has competent English only5
Australian study (2+ academic years)5
Study in regional Australia5
NAATI CCL (community language, e.g. Malayalam or Hindi)5
State nomination (Subclass 190)+5
Regional nomination (Subclass 491)+15

Note: the Professional Year bonus applies only to accounting, ICT and engineering, not nursing. STEM research degree points do not apply to standard nursing qualifications either.

Is the Points Test Changing?

You may have read that Australia is overhauling its points test. Here is where things actually stand as of October 2026:

  • The points test was not changed on 1 July 2026. The table above is still the one that applies to your EOI.
  • The 2026-27 Federal Budget signalled plans to reshape the test toward younger, more highly qualified applicants with stronger English.
  • Ideas being discussed include raising the EOI minimum from 65 to 70 and changing how partner and study points work. These are proposals only. No legislation has passed and no start date has been set.

If you are already competitive under the current rules, it makes sense to lodge your EOI now rather than wait for a system that has not been finalised.

How Many Points Does a Nurse Actually Need?

The 65-point minimum only lets you submit an EOI. What matters is the score nurses are actually being invited at. In the June 2026 Subclass 189 invitation round, reported cut-offs for nursing occupations were:

OccupationReported 189 cut-off
Registered Nurse (Aged Care, Medical, Surgical, Mental Health, Critical Care and Emergency, Community Health, Perioperative, Medical Practice, NEC)75
Midwife75
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics, Child and Family Health, Developmental Disability, Disability and Rehabilitation)80
Nurse Practitioner80

These figures are compiled from applicant-reported data. The Department of Home Affairs does not publish occupation cut-offs, so treat them as a guide.

What this means for you

Subclass 189

~75

most registered nurses need around 75 points, and some specialisations around 80.

Subclass 190

+5

state nomination adds +5, so a nurse with 70 base points reaches 75.

Subclass 491

+15

regional nomination adds +15, so a nurse with 60 base points reaches 75.

If you are open to working in regional Australia, the 491's +15 points is the biggest single lever available.

A Realistic Example: A Typical Indian Nurse

A 29-year-old registered nurse with a BSc Nursing degree, 6 years of overseas experience and Proficient English (IELTS 7):

CategoryPoints
Age (29)30
English (Proficient)10
Overseas experience (6 years)10
Bachelor degree (BSc Nursing)15
Single, or PR partner10
Base total75

At 75 points this nurse matches the June 2026 cut-off for most registered nurse occupations on the 189. A state nomination (190) takes it to 80, a regional nomination (491) to 90, and Superior English (IELTS 8) would add another 10. Try your own numbers in the calculator above.

A Realistic Example: A Typical Indian Nurse

A 29-year-old registered nurse with a BSc Nursing degree, 6 years of overseas experience and Proficient English (IELTS 7):

CategoryPoints
Age (29)30
English (Proficient)10
Overseas experience (6 years)10
Bachelor degree (BSc Nursing)15
Single, or PR partner10
Base total75

At 75 points this nurse matches the June 2026 cut-off for most registered nurse occupations on the 189. A state nomination (190) takes it to 80, a regional nomination (491) to 90, and Superior English (IELTS 8) would add another 10. Try your own numbers in the calculator above.

How Nurses Can Boost Their PR Points

  • Upgrade English to Superior (IELTS 8 or equivalent). Moving from Proficient (10) to Superior (20) adds 10 points, the single fastest win for most nurses.
  • Claim regional nomination (491). Working in regional Australia adds 15 points, often with faster nomination.
  • Add state nomination (190). A simple +5, and several states actively target nurses.
  • Gain Australian work experience. Even 1 year of nursing in Australia adds 5 points, and it grows over time.
  • NAATI CCL credential. A community language pass adds 5 points, which suits many Indian nurses.
  • Partner skills. A partner under 45 with Competent English and a positive skills assessment can add up to 10 points.
  • Apply before an age threshold. Points drop at 33, 40 and 45, so submit your EOI before a birthday that costs you points.

189 vs 190 vs 491 for Nurses

FeatureSubclass 189Subclass 190Subclass 491
TypePermanent (independent)Permanent (state nominated)Provisional (regional, 5 years)
Nomination neededNoneState or territoryState or eligible family
Bonus points0+5+15
Live and workAnywhereIn nominating stateRegional Australia
Leads to PRImmediateImmediatePR via Subclass 191 after 3 years regional

A single EOI can nominate all three at once, so many nurses submit for 189, 190 and 491 together and take whichever invitation arrives first.

Points Are Not the Only Step

For nurses, a strong points score sits alongside two other requirements:

  • AHPRA registration: you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to practise as a nurse.
  • ANMAC skills assessment: a positive skills assessment is required before you can lodge your EOI.

The points test decides your migration competitiveness. AHPRA registration decides your right to practise. You need both, in the right order.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum to submit an EOI is 65 points. In the June 2026 Subclass 189 round, most registered nurse occupations were invited at around 75 points, and some specialisations at 80. State (190) or regional (491) nomination lowers the base score you need.

Not yet. The points test was not changed on 1 July 2026, and the current table still applies. Reforms such as raising the EOI minimum to 70 have been proposed, but no legislation has passed and no start date has been announced.

It uses the official SkillSelect points test values, including the combined 20-point cap on work experience. Your final claimable points depend on your skills assessment and evidence, so confirm your result with a consultant before lodging.

Often, yes. Registered Nurse is a high-demand occupation, so nurses are typically invited at lower scores than crowded fields like IT and accounting.

For most nurses, improving English from Proficient to Superior adds 10 points, the quickest single boost. A regional nomination (491) adds 15.

No. The points test is for your migration visa. You still need AHPRA registration to work as a nurse and an ANMAC skills assessment to lodge your EOI.

Yes. Being single or having a PR or citizen partner gives 10 points. A skilled partner under 45 with Competent English and a skills assessment can also give 10.

If your score already meets the 189 cut-off for your specialisation and you want to live anywhere, aim for the 189. If you need a boost, the 190 (+5) or 491 (+15) improve your chances. You can nominate all three in one EOI.

Plan Your Australia PR the Right Way

Calculating your points is the first step. Turning that score into an invitation and a successful visa is the real work. DESMA International helps nurses line up all three pieces: your AHPRA registration, your ANMAC skills assessment, and your points-based visa strategy, so you do not lose time or points to avoidable mistakes.

Use the calculator above, then talk to our team about boosting your score and mapping the strongest PR pathway for your profile.

Points rules current as of October 2026. This page is general information, not migration advice. Always verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

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