The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is Australia’s points-based immigration system for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer. It…
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is Australia’s points-based immigration system for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer. It is the most popular pathway to Australian permanent residency for qualified professionals from India and around the world.
GSM allows skilled workers to apply for Australian visas based on a points test that assesses factors like age, English language proficiency, qualifications, and work experience. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system and wait to be invited to apply. A minimum of 65 points is required to be invited.
Score points across age, English, education, and work experience
Submit an Expression of Interest and wait to receive an invitation
Minimum score to be invited — higher scores get invited first
Direct permanent residency (189/190) or regional PR pathway (491→191)
Permanent Residency — For skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state/territory. The most competitive GSM visa — you compete purely on points. Requires a minimum of 65 points and an occupation on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List).
Permanent Residency — For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Nomination adds 5 bonus points to your score. Each state sets its own occupation requirements and quota. Strong option if your occupation is in demand in a specific state.
Temporary → PR Pathway — For skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible family member in regional Australia. Gives 15 bonus points. Must live and work in regional Australia for 3 years to be eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 191).
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 18–24 | 25 |
| Age 25–32 | 30 |
| Age 33–39 | 25 |
| Age 40–44 | 15 |
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English (IELTS 7+) | 10 |
| Superior English (IELTS 8+) | 20 |
| Overseas work experience (3–4 yrs) | 5 |
| Overseas work experience (5–7 yrs) | 10 |
| Overseas work experience (8+ yrs) | 15 |
| Australian work experience (1–2 yrs) | 5 |
| Australian work experience (3–4 yrs) | 10 |
| Australian work experience (5–7 yrs) | 15 |
| Australian work experience (8+ yrs) | 20 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 15 |
| Diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| STEM specialist education | 10 |
| Credentialled community language | 5 |
| Partner with skilled nomination/English | 5–10 |
| State/Territory nomination (190) | 5 |
| State/Territory nomination (491) | 15 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
Get your skills assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority for your occupation (e.g., Engineers Australia, TRA, ACS, VETASSESS, AHPRA).
Achieve the required score in IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or OET. Higher scores earn more points and improve your chances of an invitation.
Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect with your points claim. Your EOI will remain active for 2 years while you wait for an invitation.
If selected in an invitation round, you will receive an ITA. You then have 60 days to lodge your visa application.
Submit your application via ImmiAccount with all required documents including identity, skills assessment, English results, and health/character documents.
Once your application is processed and approved, you receive your visa. For 189/190, this is a permanent visa from day one.
The minimum score required to be eligible to submit an EOI is 65 points. However, the actual score at which invitations are issued is typically higher — often 80–90+ points depending on the visa and occupation. Higher scores are invited first in each round.
SkillSelect is the Australian government’s online system where skilled workers submit their Expression of Interest (EOI). The Department of Home Affairs periodically draws from the EOI pool and invites the highest-scoring applicants to apply for a visa.
The 189 visa requires no sponsorship — you compete purely on your points score. The 190 visa requires nomination from an Australian state or territory, which adds 5 bonus points. The 190 is often easier to get an invitation for if your occupation is in demand in a specific state, but it requires you to live in that state for 2 years initially.
Yes. Your spouse/partner and dependent children can be included in your visa application as secondary applicants. They receive the same visa and are entitled to live, work, and study in Australia.
Our MARA-registered consultants at The Victoria Immigrations will assess your profile, calculate your points score, and guide you through the entire GSM application process.
Book a free consultation with our immigration experts today.
