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    How to Check Your Eligibility for Skilled Migration Jobs in Australia

    3 min read

    AI Doc Summarizer Doc Summary

    Wondering if you qualify for Australia’s skilled migration pathway? Here’s the short answer: verify your occupation is on an eligible list, match your duties to the ANZSCO code, secure a positive skills assessment, meet English and age criteria, calculate your points, consider state nomination, and lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. The detailed steps below show exactly how to do it.

    Step 1: Confirm your occupation is eligible #

    Start by checking whether your occupation appears on Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists. Different skilled visas reference different lists (e.g., MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL). If your occupation is not listed, you generally cannot apply under the skilled migration program.

    Match your day-to-day duties, qualifications, and experience to the ANZSCO description to ensure alignment with your selected occupation.

    Step 2: Understand the visa pathways you might use #

    Most independent or state/territory nominated skilled applicants consider one of these visas:

    • Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
    • Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
    • Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))

    All require an eligible occupation and a positive skills assessment. Some require nomination by a state or territory government. Invitations are issued based on your EOI ranking and, for nominated visas, state criteria.

    Step 3: Get your points estimate (GSM points test) #

    For points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), you must score at least 65 points. Higher points improve competitiveness. Calculate your score using the official tool:

    https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/tools/points-calculator

    Points factors include:

    • Age (typically maximum points between 25–32)
    • English level (Competent, Proficient, Superior)
    • Skilled employment (Australian and overseas)
    • Qualifications (AQF/degree equivalence)
    • Australian study, regional study
    • NAATI CCL, Professional Year (where relevant)
    • Partner skills or single applicant points
    • State nomination or regional sponsorship (for 190/491)

    Step 4: Meet the English language requirement #

    Most skilled visas require at least Competent English, with higher scores yielding more points. Typical benchmarks include:

    • Competent: IELTS 6.0 in each component or PTE Academic 50 in each
    • Proficient: IELTS 7.0 in each or PTE Academic 65 in each
    • Superior: IELTS 8.0 in each or PTE Academic 79 in each

    See accepted tests and scores: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list/skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/english-language

    Step 5: Secure a positive skills assessment #

    A positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for your occupation is mandatory before you can be invited. Typical authorities include:

    If your formal qualifications don’t perfectly match Australian standards, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can help map your experience to an AQF outcome, strengthening your assessment and, in some cases, your points profile.

    Step 6: Explore state or territory nomination (if applicable) #

    For Subclass 190 and 491, nomination criteria vary by state/territory and can include occupation demand, points, residency, study/work in-region, and other settings. Start here for official guidance:

    https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/state-and-territory-government-nominated-visas

    Step 7: Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect #

    Once you have your points estimate and skills assessment, submit an EOI. You’ll provide details such as age, English, employment, education, and preferences for nomination. Keep your evidence ready—claims must be correct and verifiable.

    Start here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect

    Step 8: Prepare health, character, and documentation #

    All applicants must satisfy health and character requirements. Be ready with passports, employment references, skill assessment reports, degree certificates, English results, and civil documents.

    Quick checklist: how to check your eligibility #

    • Find your occupation on the Skilled Occupation Lists.
    • Match duties to the correct ANZSCO code.
    • Take an approved English test and note your score band.
    • Obtain a positive skills assessment from the right authority.
    • Use the DHA Points Calculator and aim above the 65-point minimum.
    • Assess eligibility for state/territory nomination (190/491).
    • Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect and monitor for invitations.
    • Prepare health, character, and supporting documents early.

    Common pitfalls that reduce your chances #

    • Choosing the wrong ANZSCO code or misaligned duties
    • Over-claiming points without evidence (e.g., work experience or partner points)
    • Letting English results or skills assessments expire before invitation
    • Ignoring state nomination criteria or updates
    • Not considering RPL to bridge qualification gaps

    How Skills Campus can help #

    At Skills Campus, we streamline eligibility checks and applications by:

    • Assessing your occupation alignment and ANZSCO match
    • Advising on English test strategies to maximise points
    • Coordinating Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to map your experience to AQF standards
    • Preparing skills assessment-ready portfolios and references
    • Guiding EOIs, state nomination options, and document readiness

    Get personalised guidance on your skilled migration eligibility and next steps. Contact us today: https://skillscampus.com.au/contact

    Updated on November 7, 2025

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