A quick warning before you spend more money on migration points
A new research paper could signal a major reform in the Australian PR points system, making changes to how the points system works.
In March 2026, the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Australian National University published a working paper by Varela and Breunig, titled Designing points-tested visas for Australia using Mincer regression models. The research was developed through a multi-part exploration of Australia’s immigration program, with feedback and considerations from the Australian Treasury and the Department of Home Affairs.
It is important to understand that this is only a research proposal or a concrete model that the respective departments could follow, not a new immigration rule and is not yet involved in Australia’s migration processes. Nothing has been officially unveiled, passed into law, or been given a launch date. However, the paper provides one of the explicit ideas so far about how Australia could redesign, improve, or revise its points test.
This matters because some of the things students are planning to work consistently on and spending money and time on to gain extra points could potentially be eradicated in the future system.
Five areas that could lose points
The researchers took a comprehensive look at the current points categories, scrutinizing them deeply and asked a simple question: Do these factors actually help predict how much a migrant will earn in Australia?
According to their analysis, five categories did not show a strong earnings benefit or chances of strengthening the career and earning opportunities of candidates.
- Community language (NAATI CCL): The research found little evidence that community-language skills or multilingual employees can earn a higher salary. The authors therefore suggest removing these points and do not want to connect the points system with a person’s country of origin.
- Professional Year: The paper found no clear evidence that completing a Professional Year makes sense professionally and financially or can improve migrants’ employment or income outcomes. The authors question whether it is a worthwhile investment of human capital and can effectively fill gaps in the Australian labour market.
- Regional study: The proposed model would remove the extra benefit for studying in a regional area compared with studying in major capital cities. The paper puts forward research showing that graduates from regional universities earn about 11% less than other Australian university graduates and their metropolitan city peers.
- Specialist education: Specialist education which seemed an easy choice for students until 2026, might not be given special treatment by Australian migration authorities. Including certain STEM postgraduate research qualifications. Instead, the authors favour a simpler and more straightforward approach where completing a PhD could prove transformative and intellectually rewarding, regardless of the subject area.
- Partner points: Pay is an important factor for skilled workers migrating to Australia. Some partner characteristics that have been most appreciated and considered beneficial to migrants may add very little to a migrant’s future income. The researchers estimate that including partner information such as their skills, improves predicted annual pay by only about $1,530.
Overseas work experience could also change
Another major proposal concerns overseas employment which has gained substantial importance in Australia. Under the modelled points test, it could also change. Overseas work experience could see a meaningful reduction in points and may receive zero points.
Instead, the focus would be on Australian work experience in the applicant’s nominated occupation, which could receive up to 15 points.
For students and skilled migrants, the message is simple and clear: Nothing is constant but change. Australia’s skilled migration points test hasn’t seen a structural overhaul in years and may undergo a significant change.
Age and jobs with higher incomes could matter much more
Under the proposed skilled migration points system, age would be one of the most significant factors. A higher age number could have a strong negative effect on your points score. While applicants under 30 could get 55 points, those aged 30–35 could get 45 points, those aged 35–40 could get 25 points, and people aged 40 or above could get no points. Earlier the maximum age threshold was 45 years, but this could change.
The researchers say owing to this simpler system, it would be difficult and daunting to find older applicants with high incomes. Because of this, Australia may favour younger applicants who are also higher-skilled and better-educated.
Education would also be of lesser value in the new points score system. A PhD could earn 35 points, but both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree would get 15 points. Diplomas and VET qualifications would receive no points. Getting another similar qualification would not add extra points.
Instead, jobs and higher incomes would gain more eminence. The preferred option focuses on Australian taxable income from the past two years. Applicants earning $80,000 could get 20 points, incomes above $200,000 could earn 100 points. The Department has not yet released the exact figure but a high income could even lead to a guaranteed visa.
What this means for you, practically
- Age matters a lot. Your age may affect your points more than many other factors. If you are close to 30 or 33 and reaching a peak, waiting too long could make you lose more points than gaining small points elsewhere.
- Think carefully before committing to factors such as Professional Year, NAATI CCL, and regional study for extra points. These can currently give points but their importance is being questioned by the paper. If you want them for your career, they may still be promising. But chasing them only for five points carries some risks, as these factors may be clearly ignored or removed in the future.
- Choose your occupation carefully. Do not nominate a job where you are not interested in working or are not inclined to work. Research shows many migrants end up working elsewhere rather than their nominated occupation, which is one reason the system is being reviewed.
- Work experience may be more beneficial for gaining points than acquiring another degree. People with experience in their nominated field tend to earn more and are more likely to work in that field. They also tend to fit better in the Australian job market. A second Master’s may not be of much importance or carry more weight.
- Timing can matter. If you already qualify and meet the requirements of today’s skilled migration rules, then don’t delay your application process, as it could carry risk, because rules can change and processing times might extend if you submit a late expression of interest.
Important: This is an academic working paper, not government policy. The Australian Government has not announced these changes. The current points test and laws still apply.
