If you’ve been keeping an eye on Australian skilled migration, you’ve probably found yourself asking the big question: is 75 points enough for a 189 visa these days? It’s a fair thing to wonder, especially with how unpredictable invitation rounds have become. Some applicants breeze through with scores you wouldn’t expect to succeed, while others with impressive points wait months without a single update. The truth is, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on current trends, demand for your occupation, and how the Department of Home Affairs wishes to shape the country’s future workforce.

The 189 Skilled Independent Visa has always been one of the most sought-after pathways because it doesn’t require employer sponsorship or a state nomination. In other words, if you qualify, you can work and live in Australia permanently without needing commitments from anyone but yourself. That independence is exactly why competition is fierce—and why applicants are always watching cut-off scores closely. And with many people aiming to eventually live in Australia permanently, it’s no wonder this visa remains high on the wish list for skilled professionals around the world.

Before you decide whether 75 points puts you in the running, it helps to understand how the points system works and why the required score seems to shift every year. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you stand and what you can do to improve your chances.

A Closer Look at How the 189 Visa Points System Works

At its core, the points system tries to measure how valuable your skills are to the Australian labour market. It evaluates you based on age, English proficiency, qualifications, and skilled work experience. This is why younger applicants with strong English scores and several years of relevant employment often find their total climbing higher than expected. Australian study adds even more points, and if your partner has skills or qualifications that meet specific criteria, you can push your score even further.

Because the 189 visa is entirely independent—no employer backing, no state nomination—the points test becomes the primary way to rank applicants. Everyone is sorted by their total points, and invitations are issued from the top down. If thousands of people from the same occupation apply at the same time, the cut-off score naturally climbs. If fewer people compete in your field, the score might drop. It’s a fluid system, and that’s what makes predicting outcomes tricky.

Applicants who feel overwhelmed by the technical side of the process often seek help from migration professionals. Many international students and graduates even consult student visa lawyers in Sydney when they’re transitioning from a temporary visa to a skilled migration pathway. Having someone who understands the nuances of the points test can be a surprisingly big advantage.

What Invitation Trends Tell Us About the Viability of 75 Points

If you look at recent invitation rounds, you’ll notice a pattern: scores required for an invitation fluctuate depending on the occupation group. In some rounds, certain professions get through with 75 points. In others, the same number barely even comes close. Engineering, accounting, and IT occupations, for example, often sit at much higher thresholds because demand for these roles is consistently high.

On the other hand, some less competitive occupation groups occasionally receive invitations at lower scores. This is where strategy matters more than guesswork. The Department of Home Affairs isn’t just pulling numbers out of thin air. They adjust thresholds according to national skills shortages and labour market priorities. If an industry is struggling to fill roles, they’re more likely to invite applicants with lower points to meet immediate workforce needs.

So, is 75 enough? For some people, yes. For many others, especially those in popular fields, probably not. But the number itself is not the full story—you need to look at where your occupation sits in the bigger picture.

Ways You Can Strengthen Your Points if You’re Sitting at 75

If your current score is 75 and you’re feeling uncertain, you’re not alone. Many applicants begin their migration journey at that exact point. The good news is that points aren’t fixed in stone. With some effort, you can boost your score and improve your chances of receiving an invitation.

English proficiency is one of the easiest areas to target. Achieving a superior English score can add a significant number of points in one go. Work experience is another area where time works in your favour. Additional years of skilled employment—either in Australia or overseas—add more points and make your profile more competitive. Studying in Australia can help too, especially if the qualification aligns with your nominated occupation.

Even your partner can influence your total. If they meet certain age, English, or skills requirements, you can earn more points simply by including them in your application. Every extra point helps, particularly when cut-off scores fluctuate from round to round.

You don’t need to rush these improvements either. Many applicants take a strategic approach, spacing out their steps over several months so they’re able to present the strongest possible Expression of Interest (EOI) when the right invitation round appears.

Considering Other Skilled Migration Options Beyond the 189 Visa

If you’re starting to realise that 75 points may not be enough for your occupation group, you’re not out of options—not by a long shot. Australia offers several skilled migration pathways that give you room to work with lower point scores.

The 190 Skilled Nominated Visa, for example, allows you to apply with fewer points because the state nomination boosts your score by an additional 5 points automatically. Meanwhile, the 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa offers an even larger bonus and can eventually lead to permanent residency after meeting certain requirements. Many applicants who find the 189 visa out of reach end up securing permanent residency through one of these alternatives.

These pathways come with their own eligibility rules, but they’re incredibly valuable lifelines for applicants who are close to the cut-off but just not quite competitive enough under the 189 stream.

Building a Strong EOI That Stands Out in Invitation Rounds

Once you’re confident that you’ve reached a competitive points score, your next priority is preparing a strong and accurate EOI. Everything in your application—from your English test results to your skills assessment—needs to be supported by reliable evidence. Even a small inconsistency can delay your invitation or jeopardise your chances entirely. This is why some applicants choose to get professional help to review their documents, identify potential gaps, and make sure their EOI is as polished as possible.

Monitoring updates from the Department of Home Affairs is equally important. Invitation trends shift without warning, and you don’t want to miss a window where your occupation suddenly becomes more favourable.

Your Pathway Toward Skilled Migration and Permanent Residency

If you’re sitting at 75 points right now, the best thing you can do is start analysing your options. Look at recent cut-off scores for your occupation, find ways to improve your points, and keep an open mind about alternative visas that might give you an easier route to residency. Every applicant’s journey is different, and sometimes the path you didn’t plan for ends up being the one that delivers the best result.

Whether your goal is a 189 visa or another skilled migration pathway, careful planning and consistent effort can bring you much closer to the chance to live in Australia permanently and build a secure future here.

 

Author Bio: Jeryl Damluan is a seasoned SEO Specialist and Outreach Specialist at Justice Network. She excels in building authority links and amplifying online presence for law firms and businesses through strategic content creation and digital marketing.