Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (Subclass 886)
Qualifications – Points
Points can only be awarded for one of your recognised qualifications. For example, if you have completed a Bachelors degree and a Doctorate degree, you will only be able to claim points for the Doctorate degree.
Points for qualifications at Masters level can only be awarded where you have also completed a Bachelors degree recognised by the relevant assessing authority as being of a comparable Australian standard. To claim points for a qualification obtained overseas, it will need to be recognised as being of a standard comparable to the relevant Australian level qualification. Generally, you will be able to request an opinion on your qualification claims from the relevant assessing authority when you seek your skills assessment.
You may also be able to claim points for a qualification not related to your nominated occupation. If the assessing authority who conducts your skills assessment cannot provide an opinion about this qualification, you should contact the Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services (VETASSESS), who are the national assessing authority for a broad range of management, administration, professional and associate professional occupations.
See: VETASSESS
Points awarded
The following table outlines the number of points that will be awarded for your highest education qualification.
| Points | Description of education qualifications |
|---|---|
| 20 | Doctorate degree |
| 15 | At least Bachelor degree (including a Bachelor degree with Honours or Masters) |
| 10 | Australian Diploma or trade qualification |
| 10 | Award or qualification recognised by the assessing authority in the assessment of the skilled occupation. |
Evidence to attach to your application
You must obtain documentary evidence of having completed one of the qualifications described above.
You should check with your assessing authority about documents that have to be provided to them to enable them to provide an opinion about qualifications and/or skilled employment. You must provide the department with copies of all the documents that you provide to assessing authorities.
For you to be awarded these points, documentary evidence must be included with your application.
Before lodging an application, please read all related requirements.