Two systems, similar logic
Australia's points test and Canada's Comprehensive Ranking System both award points across age, English or French ability, skilled work experience, qualifications and additional factors such as nomination. In both, small changes to a single factor can reorder a large part of the applicant pool.
Factors most sensitive to change
When reviewing your own score, check these first, since they carry the most weight and are the ones most often revisited.
- Language ability, where a band increase can move several points at once
- Skilled employment, where overseas and local experience are counted differently
- Age, which decreases at fixed thresholds regardless of other progress
- Nomination or provincial nomination, which can be decisive at the margin
Reading your score honestly
Score every factor against the evidence you can actually produce — assessment outcomes, employment references, test reports and credential assessments. An estimate built on optimistic assumptions is the most common reason a promising profile stalls later.
Where to confirm the current rules
Points tables and CRS factor values are published by the Department of Home Affairs and IRCC respectively. Treat any calculator, including ours, as an indicative estimate and confirm the current values with those authorities.
This article is general information about publicly announced policy, not personal migration advice. Requirements change — confirm current criteria with the Department of Home Affairs or IRCC, or speak with us about your specific profile.
