Optimising your pathway to residency
General skilled migration is a points-based competition. We structure your profile to compete in invitation rounds and to satisfy the strict evidentiary requirements of subclasses 189, 190 and 491.
A ground-up rewrite of the skilled points test is under consultation, with a new test targeted for 2027. As at 3 July 2026 the current 65-point table still applies — every score on this site is calculated on today’s law.
Subclass 189
Independent points-tested permanent residency. No sponsorship required. Live and work anywhere in Australia.
Base VAC $6,135 · 21,090 places in 2026-27
View subclass →Subclass 190
State nominated permanent residency — a 5-point boost and priority rounds in return for a commitment to your nominating state.
Base VAC $6,140 · 35,500 state places nationally
View subclass →Subclass 491
Regional provisional residency with a 15-point multiplier, bridging to permanent residence via the subclass 191 after three years.
Base VAC $6,140 · regional program 14,110 in 2026-27
View subclass →Fees current as at 3 July 2026 (FY2026-27); the charge at your lodgement date applies — confirm at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
State-by-state nomination allocations for 2026-27 had not been published as at 3 July 2026 — most state programs, including Victoria, are expected to open between July and September 2026.
Skills assessments & audit
A positive skills assessment is the mandatory foundation of your case. We manage the evidence preparation for VETASSESS, ACS, Engineers Australia and the other assessing authorities, so your qualifications and employment history are presented at full strength.
Explore skills assessments →Where do you actually stand?
Score yourself on the current 65-point table before the 2027 rewrite changes the game.
Use points calculatorSkilled migration, answered
How many points do I need for a skilled visa?
The legal pass mark is 65 points, but invitations typically issue well above it. Recent 189 rounds have generally required scores in the 85–100 range depending on occupation, while 190 and 491 outcomes vary by state and include the nomination bonus. We review every claimed point against the evidence before you lodge an EOI.
What is changing with the points test in 2027?
The government has committed to the first ground-up rewrite of the points test since 2012, with consultation underway and a new test targeted for 2027. Signalled directions include heavier weighting for younger applicants and possible income-linked points, but nothing is legislated. As at 3 July 2026 the current table applies — if you are close to a competitive score, timing your EOI matters.
What does a skilled visa cost in 2026-27?
From 1 July 2026 the base visa application charge is $6,135 for the 189 and $6,140 for the 190 and 491, following a roughly 25% increase. Skills assessment, English testing and any state nomination fees are additional. The charge applying at your lodgement date applies — confirm current pricing at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Can I apply if I am over 45?
General skilled migration requires you to be under 45 at the time of invitation. If you are approaching or past that line, employer-sponsored pathways such as the subclass 186 may still be open — limited age exemptions exist. We map the realistic alternatives before you spend money on assessments.
Do I need a job offer for a 189, 190 or 491?
No. These visas are points-tested rather than employer-sponsored, although some state nomination streams favour applicants already working in the state. If you do have an employer willing to sponsor, the employer-sponsored program — expanded to 58,040 places in 2026-27 — may be faster.
Map your pathway before the rules move
Points reform, halved regional places and a 25% fee rise have reshaped skilled migration in 2026. We act in EOI strategy, state nomination and skills assessment matters Australia-wide.