Can UK Work Experience Count for Australia PR in 2026?
That UK work history is valuable when you have spent years working in the UK. It does not go away when you start thinking about emigrating to Australia. Australia points test is designed to take account of international experience and for the vast majority of UK workers it is good news, not bad. GIEC Global UK can help applicants ascertain how their UK work history translates to the work experience points on the Australia PR application form.
How Australia's Points Test Treats Work Experience
To qualify to apply for a Subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa you need to have successfully passed Australia’s points test and currently 65 points is the minimum needed to apply for a PR visa in Australia. The biggest win factor on that list is work experience and there are two separate categories of work experience: Australian work experience and work experience outside Australia.
Your UK work experience falls in the latter category. This is exactly where Australia immigration work experience points are coming from for anyone who has never lived or worked in Australia. And as long as the role was paid, skilled and in or closely related to your nominated occupation, that all contributes to your score.
Here’s how the current points table works out:
| UK / Overseas Work Experience | Points | Australian Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 3 years | 0 | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 | 1 to 2 years | 5 |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 | 3 to 4 years | 10 |
| 8 years or more | 15 | 5 to 7 years | 15 |
| — | — | 8 years or more | 20 |
What Makes UK Work Experience "Skilled" for Australia PR
Not necessarily.
The work experience for Australia PR you want to use needs to generally meet all of these requirements:
- Your job is on the relevant skilled occupation list for your visa
- MLTSSL for Subclass 189
- MLTSSL or STSOL for Subclass 190
- MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL for Subclass 491
- The role is on par with your nominated occupation or closely related in tasks and skill level
- You were paid for it for 20 hours a week or more
- The work is within the last 10 years prior to when your invitation comes through
- The work was done legally by someone with the right to work in the country you did the work in
How Many Points Could Your UK Experience Add?
Now that you have confirmed your employment is eligible, the maths becomes easy. Here’s a quick comparison of how many years in an average UK career would convert into work experience points for Australia PR before you add any Australian experience.
| Years Working in the UK (nominated or closely related occupation) | Points |
|---|---|
| 2 years | 0 points |
| 4 years | 5 points |
| 6 years | 10 points |
| 9 years | 15 points |
However, if at a later date you gain some Australian work experience say via a temporary visa, the years are then transferred to your UK total. But watch the 20-point limit: UK experience over 8 years is 15 points, and 3 to 4 years experience in Australia is worth 10 points. Total: 25 points.
Making Your UK Work Experience Count in 2026
There are a handful of simple things that will determine whether you claim the right number of points or whether you undersell yourself:
(a) Book Your Skills Assessment Now
It can take several months. Your score and whether you qualify are both contingent on your skills assessment result.
(b) Document Everything
- Payslips
- Tax records
- A reference letter outlining your actual day-to-day work duties
(c) Double-Check the Occupation List
Double-check the occupation list each time you select an occupation, as the lists are subject to periodic review.
(d) Consider Your Work Experience
If your score is close to the cut-off, bear in mind that Australia-born work experience carries a higher weighting than overseas experience, so it can be worthwhile.
(e) Be Aware of the Timelines Involved
The Australian Government confirmed that the points test is under review, with an indicative start date of no earlier than 1 July 2027.
These rules are yet to be legislated, so your application for Australian permanent residency is assessed according to the current table.
Apply For Australia PR Visa
FAQs
Yes. It’s assessed under the “overseas skilled employment” category, as long as it’s in your nominated occupation (or closely related) and within the 10 years before your invitation.
Up to 15 points: 5 points for 3 to 4 years, 10 points for 5 to 7 years, and 15 points for 8 years or more.
No, it needs to be closely related in duties and skill level. Your skills assessing authority confirms this when it assesses your occupation.
Yes, a positive skills assessment is required for Australia PR visa applications, and it usually sets the date your job starts counting as skilled.
Yes, both are added together, but the combined total for work experience is capped at 20 points.
Not yet. Changes have been flagged with an indicative start no earlier than 1 July 2027, but the current points table still applies for now.
