1 - To obtain 60 points for your nominated occupation, you most likely need to have a degree or trade certificate and experience that meet Australian standards and that are specifically related to your occupation. If necessary, you must meet any registration requirements in Australia. In some cases, experience without formal qualifications may be accepted.
2 - To obtain 50 points for your nominated occupation, you must have earned a qualification equal to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher qualification, but it does not necessarily have to relate to the occupation you nominate.
3 - To obtain 40 points for your nominated occupation, you must have a qualification equal to an Australian diploma or advanced diploma which does not necessarily have to relate to the occupation you nominate.
You should see the Australian Skilled Occupations List (ASOL) to check whether or not the occupation you wish to nominate is on ASOL and to find out how many points your occupation is worth.
Before you apply, you must have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. The skills assessment and the documents provided to the assessing authority must be included with your application.

Age

You are awarded points for your age.

Before you apply you should provide evidence of your age, for example, by your birth certificate.

English language ability

If this is found as either vocational or competent.

Before you apply you should obtain evidence of your English language ability. If you are from an English speaking Country this may be less relevant.

Specific work experience

This differs from the basic requirement of recent work experience, without which you can not make a valid application. The number of points you are awarded for this factor vary. It depends on the number of points for your nominated occupation and the period of time you have worked in your nominated occupation, closely related occupation or skilled employment.

Occupation in demand (and job offer)

There are some occupations that are in demand in Australia. If you claim points for this your nominated occupation should be on the Migration Occupations in Demand List. You can be awarded extra points if you have a job offer for your nominated occupation.

Before you apply you should check whether your nominated occupation at the time of your application is on the Migration Occupations in Demand List and obtain documentary evidence of the job offer if you claim points for occupation in demand with job offer.

Australian qualifications

You can be awarded points for this factor if you have completed an Australian qualification from an Australian educational institution, studying one academic year in Australia.

Before applying you should obtain certified copy of your qualifications, if you claim points for this factor. You should also note that you could claim points for this factor only if you have completed your Australian qualifications less than 6 months before you apply for migration.

Spouse skills

You are awarded points for this factor if your spouse also satisfies the basic requirements and has obtained a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.

Before submitting a migration application you should obtain proof that your spouse satisfies the basic requirements and obtain a skills assessment for your spouse's skills from the relevant assessing authority.

Bonus Category

Either capital investment in Australia, Australian skilled work experience or fluency in one of Australia's major community languages (other than English).

Sponsored Category

If you apply under the Skilled Australian Sponsored category you may receive extra points for your relationship to Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia, if you or your spouse relates to your sponsor as a non-dependant child, a parent, a brother or sister, or a niece or nephew.

Pass mark and Pool mark

You must gain sufficient points to reach the pass mark in effect at the time your application is assessed.
Please, be advised on the current pass mark for the following categories:

* - in effect from 1 April 2005.
You should check the pass mark in effect at the time of your application, since it might have changed.
Applications that achieve a score below the pass mark but above another mark called the 'pool mark' will be held in reserve for up to 2 years after assessment. If the pass mark is lowered at any time during that 2-year period and if your score is equal to, or higher than, the new pass mark, your case will be processed further.