Age points for Australian settlement are an important factor but outside your control, so you need to understand them to plan the right timing. Understanding this helps optimize your profile. This article explains age points in Australian skilled settlement.
Age points for Australian settlement: age in the points system
In Australia’s skilled settlement points system, age is a factor that contributes points. The highest age points usually fall within a certain age group, and decrease as you get older than this group. This is an important factor as it can contribute a large number of points for those in the favorable age group.
A notable point is that age points for Australian settlement are outside your control in the sense that they cannot be “improved” like English; age only increases with time. Therefore, the age factor creates pressure regarding timing: applying while still in the favorable age group helps you keep a higher age score.
Important age thresholds
Since age points decrease at certain age thresholds, the timing of your application (specifically, the time of invitation) is very important. Applying before crossing an age threshold helps “lock in” your current age score, avoiding a loss of points when moving into a higher age group.
Since age points for Australian settlement decrease at thresholds, many candidates nearing an age threshold try to complete the necessary steps (skills assessment, English test, submitting an EOI) before crossing that threshold. Planning around the age factor helps avoid unfortunately missing out on valuable age points.
Planning according to age
To optimize age points for Australian settlement, candidates should know which age group they are in and how close they are to a threshold, plan to complete the necessary steps before crossing an age threshold if possible, and prioritize timing while the age factor is still favorable. Timing your application according to age is an important strategy.
You should refer to skilled settlement points table and SkillSelect to learn how age points are currently calculated.
Summary
Age points for Australian settlement contribute a large number of points, highest within a certain age group and decreasing at age thresholds. This is a factor outside your control, only increasing with time, which creates pressure regarding timing. You should know which age group you are in, and plan to complete the necessary steps before crossing an age threshold to preserve your points.
