Australian PR Points for HR Manager, ANZSCO 132311
Human Resource Managers plan, organise, direct, control, and coordinate the human resource and workplace relations activities of an organisation. For migration purposes, the occupation sits on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This means the 189 visa is off the table, and you will need to focus on state-nominated pathways like the 190 and 491 visas. The skills assessment authority for this occupation is the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) — the current name of the body long known as the Australian Institute of Management (AIM), which is why you'll still see "AIM" used interchangeably with IML in older guidance. IML's assessment is specifically calibrated to strategic, senior-level management: it is not simply a check that you held the job title. If your actual duties were operational or administrative rather than strategic, a different, more accurate occupation code for an HR adviser/officer-level role may fit your experience and assessment prospects better than 132311.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
HR Manager, STSOL status
Not eligible. Because the occupation is on the STSOL, you cannot apply for the independent 189 visa.
→ Full 189 eligibility guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
A highly competitive pathway. States usually favour applicants who already have a local job offer or are currently living and working in that state.
→ Explore the 190 pathwaySubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
A very realistic option, especially if you secure a managerial role in a regional area or if your overall points are slightly lower.
→ Explore the regional pathwayYour HR Manager Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Last cutoff (ANZSCO 132311) | N/A | Data limited | Data limited |
| Occupation list | STSOL | STSOL | STSOL |
| Typical invitation frequency | None | State-led | State-led |
| Primary assessing body | IML | IML | IML |
Home Affairs does not centrally publish 190 and 491 cutoffs by occupation. You must refer to individual state and territory nomination results, which vary dramatically depending on local labour market needs.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for latest resultsSkills Assessment for HR Manager
A positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
Human Resource Manager (ANZSCO 132311) is assessed by IML
| Assessing body | Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML), formerly the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) |
| Official portal | managersandleaders.com.au |
| Processing time | Up to 10 weeks standard; an express option (extra fee, not guaranteed) targets around 6 weeks |
| Assessment fee | AUD $788 (offshore) / $866 (onshore) for the Migration Skills Assessment; express service adds roughly $210–$231 |
| Outcome validity | 3 years from the date of the outcome letter |
| Qualification required | Bachelor degree or higher (AQF 7+) generally expected, in a relevant field |
IML assesses strategic seniority specifically, not just the job title. Its published criteria look for: strategic authority (evidence you influenced long-term organisational goals and decision-making, not just implemented them), management of managers (typically overseeing other managers or supervisors, not only front-line staff), and direct responsibility for a significant budget. IML's own guidance also notes that employment within an organisation of fewer than roughly 50 staff is unlikely to support a claim at this seniority level.
You'll need to hold a relevant bachelor's degree or higher and have at least 3 years of HR-related employment, with at least 2 of those 3 years specifically in an HR Manager-level role (candidates without a relevant degree face a higher experience bar). The written component uses IML's Management Competency Framework: you select one competency from each of three domains — Manage Self, Manage Others, and Manage the Business — and describe how you demonstrated it using the STAR method, in 500 words or fewer per competency, with specific examples from your work history. If your role was purely operational or administrative (an HR Officer or Adviser rather than a genuine HR Manager), you are likely to receive a negative outcome.
⚠ Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid at the time you RECEIVE your Invitation to Apply, not just when you submit your EOI. Skills assessments are typically valid for 2-3 years. If your assessment is approaching expiry, apply for renewal before your EOI lapses.
State Nomination for HR Managers: Which States to Target
State nomination adds +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Not all states nominate HR Managers in every round.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Conditional | Conditional | Highly competitive. High points and local employment in an HR capacity are strongly favoured. |
| VIC | Conditional | Conditional | ROI required. Victoria tends to target candidates with very strong earnings. |
| QLD | Check | Check | Requires local employment in QLD for onshore applicants. Lists update frequently. |
| SA | Check | Check | More accessible for SA graduates and those who have been living and working in SA long-term. |
| WA | Check | Check | Excellent pathways for WA graduates and those who have managed to secure a WA job offer. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically. Always verify at each state's official migration portal before applying.
If your points are on the lower end, the 491 state nomination is your most realistic pathway. Focus your efforts on states where you can secure employment in your nominated occupation, as this often overrides a lower points score.
How to Improve Your Score as a HR Manager
Personalised to ANZSCO 132311, the improvements with the highest impact for your specific occupation.
1. Superior English
Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7.0) to Superior (IELTS 8.0/PTE 79) adds 10 points. For a competitive management role, this is absolutely crucial to stand out.
→ Explore points-boosting options2. State Nomination (190/491)
Because the 189 visa is unavailable, targeting a state visa is mandatory. Securing a 491 nomination adds 15 points and gives you a clear regional pathway.
→ State nomination guide3. Partner Skills / NAATI
Claiming 5 points for NAATI CCL or maximising your partner skills points (+5 to +10) can easily push a marginal score into a highly competitive bracket.
→ Partner points explained| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reform Affects HR Managers
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect.
The proposed points test reform aims to prioritise candidates with strong earnings and in-demand skills. If you earn a high salary as a manager, you may benefit significantly from the proposed income-based points structure. Conversely, candidates with lower English scores or limited experience may face increased difficulty if the base pass mark is raised to 70 as currently proposed.
→ Learn more about the 2026 points test reform