Are you eligible for skilled migration to Australia?

This guide is written for Bangladeshi professionals who want clear, honest, and practical information about Australia skilled migration. No complicated legal words. No fake promises. Just real guidance.

Australia’s skilled migration system is points-based. That means you are assessed on age, education, work experience, English ability, and sometimes your spouse’s profile. If you score enough points and your occupation is in demand, you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence or a pathway leading to it.

Factor	Criteria	Points
Age	18–24 years	25
	25–32 years	30
	33–39 years	25
	40–44 years	15
English Language	Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each)	0
	Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each)	10
	Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each)	20
Educational Qualification	Diploma or Trade Qualification	10
	Bachelor’s Degree	15
	Master’s / PhD	20
Overseas Work Experience	3–4 years	5
	5–7 years	10
	8 years or more	15
Australian Work Experience	1–2 years	5
	3–4 years	10
	5–7 years	15
	8 years or more	20
Spouse / Partner	Skilled spouse (positive skills assessment + English)	10
	Spouse with competent English	5
	Single or partner is Australian PR/Citizen	10
Australian Study Requirement	Completed eligible study in Australia	5
State / Regional Nomination	Subclass 190 nomination	5
	Subclass 491 nomination or family sponsorship	15

Let’s break everything down in a simple way.

Subclass 189 is called the Skilled Independent Visa. This visa does not require sponsorship from any Australian state, territory, or employer. That is why it is the most competitive and most difficult option.

If you receive a 189 visa, you become a permanent resident of Australia directly. You can live and work anywhere in Australia. You do not need to stay in any specific state.

However, competition is extremely high. Australia invites only top-scoring candidates in limited occupations. For Bangladeshi applicants, this visa is realistic only if you have very strong points, superior English, and an occupation that Australia is actively inviting.

Subclass 190 is the Skilled Nominated Visa. This visa requires nomination from an Australian state or territory such as New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, or Western Australia. Once nominated, you receive extra points, which significantly improves your chance of invitation.

This visa is also a permanent residence visa. The main condition is that you must live and work in the nominating state for a certain period, usually two years.

For many Bangladeshi professionals, the 190 visa is more achievable than the 189 visa because states nominate based on local demand, not just national competition.

Subclass 491 is the Skilled Work Regional Visa. This is a provisional visa, not permanent at the start. It allows you to live and work in regional Australia for five years. After meeting income and residence requirements, you can apply for permanent residence through a later visa.

The 491 visa requires either state nomination or sponsorship by an eligible family member living in regional Australia. It also provides extra points, making it attractive for candidates with moderate points.

For Bangladeshi applicants who do not reach high scores, the 491 visa is often the most realistic pathway to Australian permanent residence.

• Age is one of the most important factors. You must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation. The highest points are awarded between 25 and 32 years. If you are above 40, your points reduce significantly, but migration may still be possible with strong English or state nomination.
• Education matters. A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum for skilled migration. A master’s degree can give additional points. The degree must be assessed as equivalent to Australian standards by a relevant assessing authority such as VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, ACS, or others depending on your occupation.
• Work experience is another key factor. Both overseas and Australian experience are counted, but Australian experience gives higher points. Your experience must match your nominated occupation closely. Job title alone is not enough. Duties matter.
• English language ability plays a massive role. IELTS, PTE, or other accepted tests are used. IELTS 6.0 in each band is the minimum to be eligible, but this only gives basic points. To be competitive, you usually need IELTS 7.0 or 8.0 or equivalent scores in PTE.
• Spouse or partner profile can help. If your spouse has good English, skills assessment, or is an Australian PR or citizen, you can gain additional points. If your spouse has no English, points may be reduced.
• Occupation selection is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list, and your work experience must strongly match that occupation. Many Bangladeshi applicants lose cases because they choose the wrong ANZSCO code.

The minimum points to submit an Expression of Interest is 65. But 65 points does not mean you will receive an invitation. In reality, invitations often go to candidates with 80, 85, or even higher points, depending on occupation and visa subclass.

This is why professional assessment and strategy matter. Sometimes 190 or 491 nomination is more practical than chasing 189 endlessly.

A major misconception in Bangladesh is that “file open korlei visa hoye jabe.” This is not true. Skilled migration is invitation-based. No invitation means no visa, no matter how perfect your documents look.

Another misconception is timeline. Skilled migration is not fast. From skills assessment to invitation to visa grant, the process can take 1.5 to 3 years depending on the visa and your profile.

Now let’s make this interactive with real questions people ask every day.

Many people ask whether IELTS 6.0 is enough. Technically yes for eligibility, but practically no for competitiveness. You should aim higher if you want real chances.

People also ask if private job experience in Bangladesh is acceptable. Yes, if it is properly documented, relevant, and full-time. Fake or poorly documented experience leads to refusal.

Another common question is whether lecturers, teachers, accountants, IT professionals, engineers, and health workers can migrate. The answer depends on occupation demand, points, and assessment authority rules. There is no universal yes or no.

Is Australian skilled migration still open for Bangladeshis? Yes, it is open, but it is competitive and selective.

Can I apply without a migration agent? Yes, but many applicants make costly mistakes without professional guidance, especially in occupation selection and state nomination strategy.

Does age above 35 mean no chance? No, but you must strengthen other areas like English, spouse points, or state nomination.

Is bank balance required? Skilled migration does not officially require bank balance like visitor visas, but states may check settlement funds during nomination.

Can I include my family? Yes, spouse and dependent children can be included in all three visas.

What happens if my occupation is not in shortage? It becomes harder, but not always impossible. State lists and regional demand change frequently.

Is Subclass 491 risky because it is not PR? It is not risky if you are prepared to live and work in regional Australia and meet income conditions. Thousands convert successfully to PR every year.

Do I need a job offer? No job offer is required for 189, 190, or 491, though some states prefer candidates with job offers.

Is studying in Australia necessary? No, but Australian education can increase points and opportunities.

Can refusals happen? Yes, if documents are false, duties do not match occupation, or eligibility is misunderstood.

Now let’s talk about strategy, which most people ignore.

Smart applicants do not chase only one visa. They prepare for multiple pathways. They improve English, assess spouse eligibility, and stay flexible about location.

Regional Australia is not bush or village. Many regional cities have excellent infrastructure, jobs, schools, and lifestyle. For Bangladeshi families, regional visas often provide the best balance of opportunity and affordability.

Finally, a reality check.

Australian skilled migration is not a lottery, not a shortcut, and not guaranteed. It rewards preparation, patience, honesty, and smart planning. Those who understand the system and position themselves well have real chances.

If you are a Bangladeshi professional with a bachelor’s degree, relevant experience, reasonable English, and long-term vision, Subclass 189, 190, or 491 may be part of your future. The key is choosing the right path, not the popular one.

Before taking any step, assess your profile properly. Understand your points honestly. Avoid shortcuts. Skilled migration is a journey, not a transaction.