Government confirms Points Test reform on roadmap — younger, higher-skilled bias signalled
The 2026–27 Budget paper confirms a Points Test reform is now formally on the migration policy roadmap, intended to better select younger, highly educated, and higher-skilled candidates. No regulatory detail has been released.
The Treasury Budget Paper No. 2 lists “reform of the permanent skilled Points Test” among migration measures for the forward estimates. The stated intent: select migrants who can contribute to Australia’s long-term economic growth and productivity, with the implicit bias toward younger applicants with higher qualifications and higher-skilled occupations.
No regulatory or legislative instrument has been released. Reform of the Points Test sits in Migration Regulation 2.26AC, which is amended via legislative instrument — implementation requires either a new IMMI instrument or a Regulations amendment.
What is likely on the table
Working from the Department’s 2023 Review of the Migration System and the 2024 Migration Strategy:
- Age band recalibration — possibly increasing the 25–32 weight (currently 30 points) and steepening the drop-off at 33+.
- Increased weighting for STEM qualifications and Australian-completed PhDs.
- Possible reduction or removal of partner-skill points for partners over 45.
- Increased weight for Australian work experience over offshore work.
What is unlikely
A lowering of the 65-point statutory floor. The floor has not moved since 2012 and the political optics of lowering it are unattractive.
Practical takeaway
If you are currently above 95 points, reform is unlikely to disadvantage you. If you sit in the 70–85 range and you are over 40, monitor this closely — age-band recalibration most directly affects this bracket.