Both migration and immigration visas for Australia are awarded based on a points system. The minimum qualifying score is 100, for Skilled-Sponsored (Migrant) and Skilled-Sponsored (Residence) and 120 for Skilled-Independent (Migrant) and Skilled-Independent (Residence) visas.

Major factors that determine immigration points are an ability to speak the English language, professional-level communication skills, work experience, age, educational attainment, market demand for the target position, sponsorship by relatives who are citizens of Australia and immigration points of spouse.

A maximum of 60 points is awarded to skilled workers with extensive work experience in a specialised field. Points systems for other work-related criteria are as follows:

50 points for general professional occupation.
10 points for work experience relevant to the nominated occupation (must fall; under the last four years from the date of visa application).
20 points for occupations, which are hard to fill due to scarcity of qualified workers in Australia
15 points for anyone who has 3 to 4 years work experience in areas that are closely relevant to any of the most sought professions in Australia

As far as educational attainment is concerned, the maximum score that can be given to graduates of a two-year doctorate degree and master’s degree is 25 and 15 points, respectively.

If your spouse meets the passing score for GSM visa, five points can be added to your own score. You can earn a further 10 points with a nomination from state or territory government and 25 points with sponsorship by Australian relatives living in certain regions.

The maximum number of points that can be given based on English language proficiency is 25, for IELTS score of 7 x 4 or higher. For professional-level communication skills, the maximum score is 5.