English and EOI Points in Skilled Migration: How It Affects You
In the skilled migration EOI (Expression of Interest) system, English is one of the few factors you can actively improve — and the impact on your score is immediate and clear.
English points in SkillSelect
| English level | EOI points |
|---|---|
| Competent (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50) | 0 points |
| Proficient (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65) | +10 points |
| Superior (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79) | +20 points |
If you are exempt from the English test (as a citizen of an English-speaking country), you also receive 0 points (no bonus).
Why 10–20 points matters
In skilled migration, the invitation threshold usually moves within a narrow range. For example:
- If the invitation threshold is 85 points and you currently have 75 points
- Moving from Competent to Proficient → +10 points → reaches 85
- Without having to wait for more work experience (each additional year = +5 points)
10 English points is equivalent to the additional relevant work experience required to gain the same points in the EOI.
When to prioritise improving English
It is worth investing in a re-sit to raise your English level when:
- Your current total EOI score is 10–20 points below the invitation threshold
- Your occupation has a competitive pool and a high invitation threshold
- You are at Competent level and could reach Proficient within 3–6 months
It is not necessarily worth re-sitting if:
- Your score is already comfortably above recent invitation thresholds
- The gap from your current level up to Superior is too large (IELTS 6.0 to 8.0)
- You can gain more points another, easier way (state nomination, more experience)
Working out the ROI of a re-sit
Cost of sitting IELTS/PTE: (the current fee — check the official site of the testing body) per attempt Preparation time: 2–6 months
Compared with:
- Waiting for more relevant work experience to gain the equivalent 10 points
- The cost of extending a visa during the wait
- Better career opportunities in Australia from getting a visa sooner
In many cases, re-sitting IELTS/PTE is the investment with the clearest ROI in the entire migration journey.
Tracking the current invitation threshold
The invitation point threshold changes from one invitation round to the next. Check the SkillSelect page on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au regularly to find the current threshold for your occupation.