Points test reform announced; 65-point pass mark and invitation steps

What was announced

• Budget Paper No. 2 (12 May 2026) says the permanent points test will be reformed to select migrants who are better educated, higher skilled and younger overall.
• In a speech on 17 September 2026 the Home Affairs Minister said the points test has been redone with Treasury and will let particular skills be given an uplift so they count as a higher level of qualification, such as housing trades being treated like a university qualification.

Our rulebook records no new point values and no start date for the reform, so the rules below are the ones in force.

What the rules say today

• The 189, 190 and 491 cannot be lodged directly. An applicant submits an expression of interest in SkillSelect and can be granted a visa only if the Minister has invited them in writing.
• The pool mark and the pass mark are both 65 points for applications made on or after 16 November 2019. Home Affairs says reaching 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.
• When the application is assessed, the points score must be at least the score stated in the invitation and at least the qualifying score set for the points system.
• At the time of invitation the applicant must have a suitable skills assessment that is still valid, with no more than 3 years since the assessment date, and at least competent English. The applicant must not have turned 45.
• After an invitation the applicant has 60 days from the invitation date to complete and submit the visa application online. An expression of interest can be updated at any time before an invitation is received.
• Ministerial Directions 121 (temporary skilled visas) and 122 (provisional and permanent skilled visas) took effect on 19 September 2026 and replaced all processing priorities under Direction 119.

Who it affects

People weighing a 189, 190 or 491 application, and anyone with an expression of interest in SkillSelect.

What to check

• Your own score, using the Home Affairs points calculator or our points test tool.
• The Home Affairs news pages for any start date and new point values. For your own case, ask a registered migration agent (MARA) or an Australian legal practitioner.