If you are interested in applying for a subclass 491 or a subclass 190 visa, you will need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory. At present, all the states and territories in Australia are closed for new nominations. This is because the Federal Government has not yet announced the quota for the program 2020-21 year.

The subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas are point-based visas, requiring visa applicants to have a minimum of 65 points, plus be nominated by an Australian State or Territory. 

With the significant decrease in migration numbers in the coming year, obtaining state/territory nomination is more competitive than ever. States and territories are more likely to nominate high quality applicants, especially those working in essental occupations to assist with post-COVID recovery. While you wait for state nomination applications to re-open, you may want to work on increasing your points to increase your chances of getting a nomination.

There is no indication for when nomination applications will be accepted again, therefore it is imperative that you have all your documents ready to lodge an application as soon as possible. Some states may work on a 'first come, first served' basis, as such, being prepared to apply for nomination as soon as applications are open may work in your favour.

In this article, we give you 4 tips to improve your chances of getting state nomination. 

If eligible, you may want to consider, other points-based visa options that do not require state nominations, such as:

• Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa
• Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – Family Sponsored stream

1. English Language Test

This is a very important factor in applying for a visa. Sometimes it might take longer than you think to get the required results because of specific score requirements in each component of the test. Competent English (English language test results equivalent to 6 bands in each module in IELTS) is the basic requirement to be eligible to apply for a visa but this will not get you any points. If you score above Competent English then you may get additional points.

Proficient English - extra 10 points

To get 10 points for English language, you need to provide evidence of Proficient English. You need to score one of the following:

• IELTS – Minimum of 7 bands in each module
• TOEFL (iBT) – Minimum of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking
• PTE (Academic) – Minimum of 65 for each of the four components
• OET – At least B for each of the four components
• Cambridge C1 Advanced test – Minimum of 185 in each component

Superior English - extra 20 points

To get 20 points for English language, you need to provide evidence of superior English. You need to score one of the following:

• IELTS – Minimum of 8 bands in each module
• TOEFL (iBT) – Minimum of 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking
• PTE (Academic) – Minimum of 79 for each of the four components
• OET – At least A for each of the four components
• Cambridge C1 Advanced test – Minimum of 200 in each component

Click here to watch our video with Swoosh English to get some tips on increasing your English scores. If you are interested in English tutoring from Swoosh, please click here to use our affiliate link.

2. Skills Assessment

A skills assessment is an important part of the process to get a General Skilled Migration visa. This is to determine if your qualifications are comparable to relevant Australian qualifications. A positive skill assessment is to be obtained prior to making a visa application.

You may want to start preparing and gathering the documentation required for a skill assessment application. Different assessing authorities have their own requirements and application procedures. You can check the website of the assessing authority relevant to your occupation and start preparing the information and documents required for lodging the application.

There are many different assessing authorities specific to each occupation. Some of the main ones are:

• VETASSESS – For generic business occupations
• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) – For trade workers
• Engineering Australia – Engineers
• CPA Australia/CAANZ/IPA – Accountants
• ANMAC – For nurses and midwifes

Some of the documents such as work reference letters, pay slips and qualification documents, may take time to obtain especially if you need to get them from overseas.

3. Partner Skills

If you have a spouse or a de facto partner who is going to be included in your visa application, you may claim an additional 5 or 10 points depending on your partner's age, qualification, occupation and English language skills.

You can claim 5 points for partner skills if your partner is not an Australian Permanent Resident or Australian citizen, is included in your visa application and:

• Has competent English (English Language test results equivalent to IELTS 6 Bands in each of the four components)

You can claim 10 points for partner skills if your partner is not an Australian Permanent Resident or Australian citizen, is included in your visa application and:

• is under 45 years of age
• Has competent English (English Language test results equivalent to IELTS 6 Bands in each of the four components)
• Has nominated an occupation that is on the same skilled occupation list as your nominated skilled occupation.
• Has a suitable skill assessment from relevant assessing authority (other than for a Subclass 485 visa)

You can claim 10 points for partner skills if you are single or your partner is an Australian Permanent Resident or Australian citizen.

Your partner may start getting their documents ready, including qualification and work experience documents for a skills assessment.

Your partner may also start preparing for English Language test to get competent English (equivalent to IELTS 6 bands in each module) results. Click here to watch our video with Swoosh English to get some tips on increasing your English scores. If you are interested in English tutoring from Swoosh, please click here to use our affiliate link.

4. Credentialed Community Language Test (CCL)

If you speak another language and you are fluent in it, you may want to consider taking a CCL test. This can give you an additional 5 points.

This test is conducted by National Accreditation Authority for Translators (NAATI). Click here for more information on CCL test.

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.