Requirements
- 1
Occupation on the eligible skilled list for 189 and a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority
- 2
Under 45 at the time of invitation
- 3
At least competent English; proficient or superior English adds 10 or 20 points
- 4
At least 65 points on the points test, and realistically 85 or more to be invited
- 5
Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, then invitation, then application within 60 days
India is the largest source of Australian permanent migrants and about 30 percent of all skilled grants. The catch for offshore applicants is supply: the 2026-27 program reserves most skilled places for people already in Australia, so the realistic routes from India are state nomination (190 and 491) or employer sponsorship, with 189 reserved for very high points.
Questions
How many points do I need for a 189 invitation from India?+
The legal minimum is 65, but invitations in 2025 and 2026 went to much higher scores, often 85 to 95 depending on the occupation. Use the calculator, then compare with recent invitation rounds.
Is 190 or 491 easier than 189?+
Usually yes. State nomination adds 5 points (190) or 15 points (491) and states run their own selection, some of which remain open to offshore applicants.
Can my family be included?+
Yes. Your partner and dependent children can be included in the one application, and your partner can add points.