Skilled Workers class immigration
Immigration to Australia as a Skilled Worker is based on a point based system, the applicants are judged based on certain criteria. The following criteria is used to judge the eligibility of an applicant for general skilled class immigration.

Points for skill
The occupation you nominate must be on the Skilled Occupations List current at the time of determination, and should be one which fits your skills and qualifications. You receive the points allocated for your nominated occupation after the relevant assessment authority for your nominated skilled occupation determines that your skills are suitable.

• For most occupations where training is specific to the occupation - 60 points
• For more general professional occupations - 50 points
• For other general skilled occupations - 40 point

Points for age
Points are allocated for your age at the time of application:

• 18 to 29 years (at time of application) - 30 points
• 30 to 34 years - 25 points
• 35 to 39 years - 20 points
• 40 to 44 years - 15 points

Points for English language ability

• Vocational English (a reasonable command of English, coping with overall meaning in most situations) - 15 points (IELTS over all band Score: 5)
• Competent English - 20 points (IELTS over all band Score: 6)

Points for specific work experience

• If your nominated occupation is worth 60 points under Skill, and you have worked in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, for at least 3 of the 4 years before you apply - 10 points.
• If your nominated occupation is worth 40, 50 or 60 points under Skill, and you have worked in any occupation on the Skilled Occupations List for at least 3 or the 4 years before you apply - 5 points

Points for occupation in demand/job offer
A number of occupations have been identified as being in demand in Australia - the list is called the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). You receive points if your nominated occupation is on the MODL which is current at the time your application is assessed.

• For occupation in demand, but no job offer - 15 points
• For occupation in demand, with job offer - 20 points

Points for Australian qualifications
Applicants with Australian qualifications have a greater chance of employment in Australia. You may receive points if you have completed an Australian qualification from an Australian educational institutional, studying for at least 12 months full-time (one academic year) in Australia. Your qualifications must be an Australian post-secondary degree (or higher qualification), diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification.

• For Australian doctorate after 2 years of full studies in Australia: 15 points
• For Other degrees of 2 years duration 5/10 points.

Points for spouse skills
You may receive points if your spouse is also able to satisfy the basic requirements of age, English language ability, qualifications, nominated occupation and recent work experience and has obtained a suitable skill assessment from the relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation.

• Points for Spouse skills - 5 points

Bonus points
You may receive points for any one of the following: Capital investment in Australia (a minimum of $100 000); Australian work experience (you must have legally worked in Australia in any occupation on the Skilled Occupations List for at least six months in the four years before you apply); or Fluency in one of Australia's Community Languages (other than English).

• Bonus points - 5 points
  Only for Skilled - Australian Sponsored applicants

Points for relationship
You may receive points if you or your spouse have a relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and is willing to sponsor you. You or your spouse must be related to the sponsor as either a non-dependent child, a parent, a brother or sister, or a niece or nephew.

• Points for relationship - 15 points.