489 Visa Points Test

Please note that the 489 visa is closed to new applications and has been replaced by the 491 visa.

489 Visa Online Points Test

You must score at least 65 points (as of 1 July 2018) against points test factors to be eligible to be invited to apply for the 489 visa.

If you are invited to apply, you must achieve at least the score specified in your letter of invitation.

This information tells you what you can be awarded points for. The evidence you need to provide is listed in the document checklist.

How points are awarded

Points are awarded on the basis of the factors listed in the following table. All factors are assessed as they are at the time you are invited to apply for this visa.

Factor Description Points
Age 18–24 years 25
25–32 years 30
33–39 years 25
40–44 years 15
45–49 years Not eligible to apply
English language ability

Test results must be no older than three years immediately before the day on which the visa application was made.

 Competent English 0
Proficient English 10
Superior English 20
Skilled employment

Only 20 points can be awarded for any combination of skilled employment in and outside Australia

 Outside Australia: skilled employment in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation
  • In skilled employment for at least three but less than five years (of the past 10 years)
 5
  • In skilled employment for at least five but less than eight years (of the past 10 years)
 10
  • In skilled employment for at least eight and up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)
 15
In Australia: skilled employment in your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation
  • In skilled employment for at least one but less than three years (of the past 10 years)
 5
  • In skilled employment for at least three but less than five years (of the past 10 years)
 10
  • In skilled employment for at least five but less than eight years (of the past 10 years)
 15
  • In skilled employment for at least eight and up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)
 20
Qualifications Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other doctorate of a recognised standard 20
At least a bachelor degree from an Australian educational institution or other degree of a recognised standard 15
Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia 10
An award or qualification recognised by the assessing authority in the assessment of the skilled occupation 10
Australian study requirement One or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications awarded by an Australian educational institution and meet the Australian study requirement 5
Other factors Credentialled community language qualifications 5
Study in regional Australia or a low population growth metropolitan area (excluding distance education) 5
Partner skill qualifications 5
Professional year in Australia for at least 12 months in the four years before the day you were invited to apply 5
Nomination/sponsorship (where required) Nomination by state or territory government (visa subclass 190 only) 5
Nomination by state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member to reside and work in a specified/designated area (visa subclass 489 only) 10

Closely related skilled occupation. The course must have lasted for at least 12 months.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

Features

This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas of Australia for up to four years.

There are three pathways to the visa:

  • the Extended stay pathway
  • the Invited pathway
  • the Subsequent entry pathway

This visa might lead to the permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887).

Eligibility

You must

  • hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa (Extended Stay pathway)
  • be nominated by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative (Invited pathway)
  • be invited to apply (Invited pathway)
  • have a relevant occupation
  • have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
  • meet the points test pass mark of 65 points (as of 1 July 2018)
  • be under 45 years of age at time of invitation
  • have Competent English.

Length of stay

Up to four years

Cost

From AUD 3,670

489 Visa Online Points Test

Select a state below to see it’s requirements:

Australia Placeholder
Australia

State and territory requirements

Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.

More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.