What Documents Prove My 190 Points Claims in 2026?

To prove your Subclass 190 points claims in 2026, you must attach documents that match every points claim in your SkillSelect expression of interest (EOI), using the Department’s points table as the checklist. As of July 2026, the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) page states that, after you apply for the visa, you must show you can meet the points score on your invitation, which includes proving any claims made in your EOI. The evidence areas listed on that page are a suitable skills assessment, competent English, Australian and/or overseas skilled employment, educational qualifications, the Australian study requirement, specialist education, accredited community language, study in regional Australia, partner skills, and a Professional Year in Australia, where you claimed them. This article is general information only and not personalised migration or legal advice, so check your own claims against the current official page and the points table, or seek assistance from a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person about your situation.

What should I know before collecting Subclass 190 points evidence?

• The EOI is submitted through SkillSelect, is free, and is not a visa application.
• SkillSelect estimates your points score from the claims in your EOI; you need an estimated score of at least 65 points to be invited to apply.
• Your EOI is visible to state and territory governments, and a state or territory government agency might nominate you if you have the skills they need.
• If you are nominated and invited, you have 60 calendar days to apply for the visa, and the Department cannot extend this period.
• The Department will not process the application if you are 45 at the time of your invitation, and receiving an invitation does not mean the visa will be granted.
• If you do not apply for the visa after two invitations, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect.

Do I have to prove every points claim on my EOI?

Yes. The invitation you receive includes the number of points you must score based on your EOI claims, and after you apply you must show you can meet that score by proving the claims behind it. The Department’s instructions say you must provide documents to prove all of the claims you made in your EOI, and they direct applicants to the points table to check which documents each claim needs. If a claim is not supported by evidence, it cannot be counted toward the required score, and the Department also warns that there are consequences for not providing true and accurate information.

Which documents match each points-table claim?

The Subclass 190 page lists the claim categories rather than a universal document list, and it tells applicants to use the points table to confirm the required evidence. The table below maps each listed category to the evidence the official page associates with it.

Because the page does not itemise the exact paper for every row, the points table (the Department’s points calculator) is the control document for building your checklist.

Can a skills assessment obtained during the 60-day invitation period still count?

Yes. The Department states that delegates of the Minister will now accept a suitable skills assessment for an applicant’s nominated skilled occupation which has been obtained within the 60-day invitation period. This approach is the result of the decision in Thapa v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2021] FCCA 686 (Thapa). The Minister administers the Migration Regulations 1994 in accordance with the decision in Thapa, but reserves the right to make submissions in a Court that Thapa was wrongly decided.

What English evidence is needed?

You must provide proof that you have at least competent English at the time of invitation for this visa. The Subclass 190 page itself does not list test names or scores; it points to the Department’s separate competent English requirements for the accepted evidence. For that reason, treat the official competent English page, together with the points table, as the source of the exact documents or test results you need.

How do I evidence work, qualifications, Australian study and a Professional Year?

If you claimed points for Australian or overseas skilled employment, educational qualifications, the Australian study requirement, specialist education, accredited community language, study in regional Australia, or a Professional Year in Australia, each of those is a separate claim that needs its own supporting evidence. The visa page lists these categories and then directs applicants to the points table for the document checklist rather than repeating every document on the visa page. In practice, prepare the documents that substantiate the specific period, qualification, programme or language credential you entered into your EOI.

What partner-skills and partner relationship documents are needed?

Partner skills points need evidence of your partner’s skills as claimed, and the Department separately requires partner identity and relationship documents. For a partner, provide identity documents and photos, character documents, a marriage certificate if applicable, and documents about other relationships if applicable. For a de facto partner, provide either evidence that the relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory, or enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you apply. All married and de facto applicants must also show the relationship is genuine and continuing; the page gives examples such as joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases or mortgages, and documents showing your partner has lived at the same address as you.

What other documents must accompany the points evidence?

Points evidence is one part of the wider Subclass 190 document set. The official page also requires identity documents, including the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates, plus a national identity card if you have one and proof of any change of name. Character documents include an Australian Federal Police complete-disclosure National Police Certificate if you spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16; the Department accepts only complete-disclosure certificates from the AFP, and these are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You also need an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16, military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country, and completed Forms 80 and 1221. Dependants require their own identity, relationship and dependency documents, and two occupation-specific rules apply: medical practitioners must hold the relevant Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration at the time of invitation, and barristers and solicitors must be admitted to practice in the relevant state or territory at the time of invitation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need 65 points before I collect documents?

SkillSelect estimates your score from the claims in your EOI, and you must have an estimated score of at least 65 points to be invited to apply. The invitation states the points you must score based on those claims, and after you apply you must prove the claims behind that score. So the practical first step is to work through the points table, not to guess a document list.

Can I use a skills assessment obtained after my invitation?

Yes, if it was obtained within the 60-day invitation period. The Department says delegates will accept a suitable skills assessment for your nominated skilled occupation obtained during that window. This follows the Thapa decision, and the Minister applies it while reserving the right to argue in court that Thapa was wrongly decided.

What English evidence do I need for 190 points?

You must show at least competent English at the time of invitation. The Subclass 190 page refers applicants to the Department’s competent English requirements rather than listing scores on the visa page itself. Use that competent English page and the points table to identify the accepted proof for your situation.

Do partner skills documents differ from relationship documents?

Yes. Partner skills points require evidence of the partner’s skills as claimed, while relationship evidence is required separately for any partner. For de facto partners you generally need registration or proof of a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before applying, and all couples must show the relationship is genuine and continuing.

What if I cannot prove a points claim after I am invited?

After you apply, you must meet the points score on your invitation, which includes proving every EOI claim. If a claim is unsupported, it may not count toward the required score, and the Department warns that providing inaccurate information has consequences. The official guidance is to use the points table to confirm required documents before you apply.

Is a Professional Year or Australian study part of points proof?

Yes. Australian study, specialist education, study in regional Australia and a Professional Year are all listed on the Subclass 190 page as claims that may need evidence. The page directs applicants to the points table for the exact documents attached to each claimed item.

References

Australian Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)