Claiming Points for Work Experience in Australia

Are you planning to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program? Claiming points for skilled work experience can be a game-changer for your application. These points can make the difference between receiving an invitation to apply or being left in the pool of applicants. But how do you secure those valuable 5 points for one year of skilled work experience in Australia? We will walk you through the process, explaining everything from eligibility requirements to documentation and offer practical tips to ensure success.

If you’re committed to making Australia your new home, understanding how the points system works and leveraging your work experience can significantly improve your chances of achieving your migration goals.

Please Note: This article serves as a general guide to help you understand the topic, with information accurate as of the publication date. We recommend consulting a registered migration agent or The Department of Home Affairs for precise, up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Understanding the Applicable Visas for Work Experience Points

Claiming work experience points is particularly relevant for several visas under the GSM program. These include:

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This is a point-tested visa that doesn’t require sponsorship from a state, territory, or employer.

2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government, adding additional points to your total score.

3. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): This is a provisional visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia, also with state or territory nomination.

Each of these visas uses the points system to determine eligibility, making work experience points a critical factor in your application.

Now that you know which visas are affected, let’s break down how work experience points are allocated.

Understanding the Points Table

The Australian points system awards points for both overseas and Australian skilled work experience. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Overseas Skilled Employment (Outside Australia):

• Less than 3 years: 0 points
• 3 to 5 years: 5 points
• 5 to 8 years: 10 points
• 8+ years: 15 points

Australian Skilled Employment (In Australia):

• Less than 1 year: 0 points
• 1 to 3 years: 5 points
• 3 to 5 years: 10 points
• 5 to 8 years: 15 points
• 8+ years: 20 points

Important Notes:

1. Your work experience must directly align with your nominated skilled occupation or an occupation closely related to it.
2. Points are only awarded for work completed within the 10 years before your invitation to apply.
3. For Australian work experience, you must have held a substantive visa or a Bridging A or B visa and complied with visa conditions.

Understanding the points system is the first step. Let’s now explore why these points are so important.

Importance of Skilled Work Experience Points

Work experience points are not just a number—they can significantly influence your migration outcome. Here’s why:

1. Meeting the 65-Point Requirement: Securing work experience points can help you meet or exceed the points threshold required to lodge a valid Expression of Interest (EOI).
2. Boost Your Ranking: With more points, your EOI moves higher up the queue in SkillSelect, which increases your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.
3. Showcasing Practical Skills: These points demonstrate that your expertise is relevant and valuable to Australia’s workforce needs.
4. Eligibility for Certain Visas: Some visas, like Subclass 491, heavily rely on regional work experience points to support applications.

Now that we’ve established their importance, let’s discuss how to meet the criteria for claiming these points.

Conditions for Claiming Points

To claim points for your skilled work experience, you need to meet specific requirements. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Relevant Occupation

   Your work experience must match your nominated skilled occupation or a closely related field. For closely related fields, it must fall under the same ANZSCO Unit Group or be recognised by an assessment body as relevant.

2. Minimum Work Hours

   You must have worked at least 20 hours per week in a paid position for the experience to count.

3. Recency of Experience

   Your work must have been completed within the 10 years before your invitation to apply.

4. Australian Experience Requirements

   If you’re claiming points for work done in Australia, you must have held a valid substantive visa or a Bridging A/B visa and complied with all visa conditions.

5. Proof of Employment
   

   Immigration authorities require detailed evidence such as employment reference letters, payslips, and tax documents to validate your claim.

Meeting these conditions ensures your work experience is recognised and adds valuable points to your application.

Skilled Employment Assessment Bodies

These bodies assess your qualifications and work experience to determine eligibility. Here are some key organisations:

1. Engineers Australia: For engineering professionals.
2. CPA Australia: For accountants.
3. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC): For nursing professionals.
4. VETASSESS: For general and trade occupations.
5. Australian Computer Society (ACS): For IT professionals.
   …see more

For the full list of assessment bodies, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Accurate documentation is critical for a successful assessment. Let’s dive into the documents you’ll need.

Documents Required

To claim work experience points, you must have the following documents:

1. Employment Reference Letters: Clearly state your job title, duties, hours worked, and duration of employment.
2. Payslips or Tax Returns: Verify your income and employment.
3. Contract of Employment: Provide proof of your role and responsibilities.
4. Skills Assessment Results: Ensure your experience is recognised by the relevant authority.

With the right documentation in hand, let’s look at the step-by-step process to claim these points.

How to Claim 5 Points for Work Experience in Australia

Securing 5 points for skilled work experience in Australia can feel like a complex process, but breaking it down into clear steps makes it much more manageable.

1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm your occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupation List and meets the criteria.
2. Obtain a Skills Assessment: Apply to the relevant assessment body for your occupation.
3. Compile Documentation: Gather all required documents to support your claim.
4. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Enter your details, including work experience, in SkillSelect.
5. Respond to Invitations: If invited, submit your visa application with supporting evidence.

Beyond work experience, there are additional ways to boost your points.

Tips to Gain Additional Points

Maximizing your points score is essential for improving your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Australian PR. Beyond work experience, there are several strategies to boost your total points and strengthen your application. Below are some effective tips to help you achieve a competitive edge.

• Achieve a high score in an English language test.
• Apply for a visa that offers additional points for state or territory nomination.
• Claim extra points if your partner has a positive skills assessment and meets age and English criteria.
• Earn points for studying in regional Australia.

Now, let’s wrap up with a summary of the importance of carefully planning your application.

Final Thoughts

Claiming 5 points for work experience in Australia is a critical step toward achieving your migration goals. A clear understanding of the requirements, proper documentation, and a positive skills assessment can significantly boost your points score and strengthen your application. These efforts not only enhance your eligibility but also significantly improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Australian PR.

At Knowbal, our migration specialists are here to simplify the process for you. From assessing your eligibility to helping with skills assessments and documentation, we provide end-to-end support to make your migration journey seamless. Contact us today and let us help you take the next step toward living and working in Australia with confidence!