When applying for a skilled visa in Australia, claiming points for work experience can give your application a powerful boost — but not all work counts. To be eligible, your employment must meet specific criteria. In this article, we will break down what “employed” really means under the PR points test, so you can avoid common pitfalls and maximise your claim.

1. Eligible Work Experience
   You can claim points for skilled employment (in your nominated or closely related occupation) completed in the 10 years before your invitation to apply. Both Australian and overseas experience count, but they are assessed separately. You cannot combine partial periods from both to meet a threshold.
2. Australian vs Overseas Experience

• Australian experience earns more points due to its relevance to the local job market.
• Work in Australia must be done while holding a valid visa with work rights.
• Offshore work for an Australian company may count as Australian experience if done in Australian waters or territories.

3. Things to be considered as “Employed”

• You must work at least 20 hours per week, paid (not voluntary or stipend-based).
• Casual, shift, or FIFO work can count if it averages 20 hours/week.
• Only paid leave counts toward employment duration.

4. Skilled Employment Criteria

• Work must be at a skilled level, supported by a skills assessment and aligned with ANZSCO codes.
• Decision-makers consider the skills assessing authority’s opinion, ANZSCO duties, and supporting documents.
• For doctors and lawyers, specific registrations or admissions can serve as skills assessments.

5. Closely Related Occupations

• Must fall within the same ANZSCO unit group (e.g., different types of accountants).
• Career progression (e.g., from engineer to engineering manager) may be accepted even if outside the unit group, if it follows a logical advancement path.

6. Unlawful Employment

• Work done without proper visa work rights (e.g., breaching student visa work limits) cannot be counted for points.