Calculate your SkillSelect EOI points (SC 189 / 190 / 491) and ACT Canberra Matrix score. Minimum 65 points required for EOI submission.
📊 SkillSelect EOI Points
🏛️ Canberra Matrix (ACT)
👤 Age & Personal Details
Partner must be a co-applicant (not PR/citizen) to claim points — except "citizen/PR" option above
🗣️ English Language
⚠️ Note: for test results on or after 7 August 2025 — IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET, and Cambridge accepted
🎓 Qualifications
Must be assessed by your skills assessing authority. Medical/dental/veterinary doctorates do not qualify for doctorate points.
Degree, diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification from Australian institution. Must be English-medium and at least 92 weeks.
💼 Work Experience
Must be at least 20 hours/week, paid, in nominated occupation or closely related. Maximum combined overseas + Australian = 20 pts.
Australian work experience earns more points. Combined maximum with overseas is 20 pts.
📍 Nomination / Sponsorship
491 regional sponsorship also includes +5 pts for regional study if applicable above.
Your EOI Score
0 pts
Below minimum
🎯 Visa Pathways
189
Skilled Independent
Min 65 pts
190
Skilled Nominated
Min 65 + nomination
491
Skilled Regional
Min 65 + nomination
💡 Current competition levels (2025–26)
SC 189: ~85–95 pts to be competitive in most occupations.
SC 190: State nomination adds 5 pts — varies by state.
SC 491: Regional nomination adds 15 pts — most accessible pathway.
📋 Score Breakdown
⚠️ This calculator is indicative only. Always verify with the official DOHA Points Calculator ↗ and a MARA-registered migration agent.
📊 Recent SC 189 Invitation Scores
Historical minimum scores for SC 189 invitation rounds — varies by occupation and round date.
Score band
Typical outcome
95+
Strong for most occupations
90–94
Competitive for many occupations
85–89
Competitive in some occupations
80–84
May need state nomination (190/491)
70–79
491 regional pathway recommended
65–69
Minimum — 491 + regional study bonus
Source: DOHA SkillSelect invitation round data 2025–26.
🏛️ Canberra Matrix (ACT Nomination)
The ACT uses this separate points system for SC 190 and SC 491 nomination. You also need 60+ EOI points. Canberra residents receive ~90% of invitations. The Matrix expires 6 months after submission.
👤 Applicant Type
🏠 Canberra Resident
🌏 Overseas / Interstate Applicant
Must have lived in Canberra ≥6 months (190) or ≥3 months (491). May live in nearby NSW (e.g. Queanbeyan, 30-min commute).
🏠 ACT Residence
Must be substantiated by bank statements showing ACT activity. Holidays of 7+ days must be recorded.
💼 Occupation & Employment
Min $26/hr (employee) or $13,000 income for last 3 months (small business). For 190: 30 hrs/wk for 26 of last 30 weeks.
Position must be advertised within last 3 months, not home/online/serviced office, with evidence it can't be filled locally.
Must have valid skills assessment with points advice showing dates of relevant work experience.
🗣️ English Proficiency
Matrix caps English at 15 pts (vs 20 pts in SkillSelect EOI). For SC 190, Proficient or Superior required (unless ANZSCO skill level 3–5).
De facto relationships without formal relationship certificate are not accepted by ACT.
🎓 Qualifications & ACT Study
Overseas qualifications must be equivalent to the Australian Qualification Framework level as assessed by your skills assessing body.
Must be CRICOS-registered on-campus study. Distance/online not accepted. Must have been resident in Canberra during study.
👫 Spouse / Partner Employability
Partner must have worked full-time for at least 6 of the last 12 months and meet competent English.
🏦 Assets, Investment & Family Ties
Property must have Certificate of Title/rates notice. Business must be registered, profitable, and actively operating in ACT (not home/online).
Close family = spouse/partner, child, parent, sibling, aunt/uncle, grandparent of applicant or their spouse/partner.
Canberra Matrix Score
0
out of 185 pts
Build your score
📊 Competitive Benchmarks (2025–26)
Typical minimum scores to receive an invitation (March 2026 round data):
Pathway
SC 190
SC 491
Canberra resident — employed in nominated occ.
85–95
75–85
Canberra resident — other
95–105
85–95
Small business owner (ACT)
105+
95+
Overseas / interstate applicant
130+
110–125
Key insight (2025–26)
Canberra residents received 89.6% of all invitations. Overseas applicants need very high scores — typically 110+ for 491 and 130+ for 190. Moving to Canberra first dramatically improves chances.
📋 Matrix Breakdown
⚠️ Official Matrix from ACT Government ↗. Scores are indicative — consult a MARA agent. Matrix expires 6 months after submission.
ℹ️ Key ACT Rules
🎯 491 before 190: ACT issues 491 invitations first each round
🗓️ Matrix expires: 6 months after submission if no invitation
🔒 Cannot update: Submit new Matrix if circumstances change (new timestamp)
💰 Nomination fee: AUD $300 payable on application
🤝 De facto: Not accepted without formal relationship certificate
📍 Commitment: Must commit to living/working in Canberra 2+ years after grant
📋 Occupation list: Reduced to 105 ANZSCO unit groups for 2025–26