Australian PR Points for a Sales and Marketing Manager
Sales and Marketing Managers are the driving force behind business growth in Australia. Because the occupation is listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), you cannot apply for the independent subclass 189 visa. Instead, you'll need to secure state nomination (subclass 190) or regional sponsorship (subclass 491).
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Not eligible
Because this occupation sits on the STSOL rather than the STSOL, the 189 visa is completely off the table.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
Eligible (+5 points)
This provides a direct route to PR, provided a state or territory formally invites you based on their local skills shortages.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 491: Regional
Eligible (+15 points)
A highly viable option if you are willing to live and work in designated regional areas, eventually leading to PR.
→ Subclass 491 guideComparing Your Visa Options
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | N/A | +5 | +15 |
| Recent cutoff point | N/A | Data not published | Data not published |
| Occupation list status | STSOL | STSOL | STSOL |
| Primary assessing body | IML | IML | IML |
Data Limitations: State governments rarely publish consistent, occupation-specific invitation point cutoffs for STSOL roles. Do not rely on historical rumours-your best approach is to maximise your points and meet the specific criteria of the state you are applying to.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for any published resultsGetting Your Skills Assessed
You cannot lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect without a positive skills assessment in hand.
Sales and Marketing Managers (ANZSCO 131112) are assessed by the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML).
| Assessing body | Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) |
| Official portal | managersandleaders.com.au |
| Processing time | 10 weeks standard (6 weeks express available) |
| Approximate fee | AUD $866 onshore / $788 offshore |
| Assessment validity | Valid for 3 years |
The fine print: The IML is quite strict. They want to see that you operate at a strategic level-meaning you actually have decision-making authority over the sales and marketing direction of your organisation. If you hold a relevant degree, you generally need at least 3 years of overall experience, with 2 of those years acting as a senior manager. If you lack a relevant degree, the overall experience requirement bumps up to 5 years.
⚠ Crucial Tip: Your skills assessment must still be valid on the very day you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for your visa. If your assessment is nearing its three-year expiry mark, apply for a renewal early so your EOI remains valid.
→ General Skills Assessment GuideState Nomination Options
State nomination is your golden ticket for STSOL occupations. Without it, you cannot migrate.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Reality Check |
|---|
| NSW | Conditional | Conditional | Fiercely competitive. Typically demands a very high points score and, ideally, local NSW employment. |
| VIC | Conditional | Conditional | You'll need a Registration of Interest (ROI). Victoria tends to favour candidates earning high salaries or working in target sectors. |
| QLD | Conditional | Conditional | Generally requires you to be living and working in Queensland if applying onshore. |
| SA | Conditional | Conditional | A great option if you studied in South Australia or have established long-term residency there. |
| WA | Conditional | Conditional | Availability fluctuates. Check the latest WASMOL schedule to see if the occupation is open. |
| TAS | Conditional | Conditional | Highly accessible if you are a local Tasmanian graduate or currently operate a business on the island. |
| ACT | Conditional | Conditional | Driven by the Canberra Matrix system. You almost certainly need to live in Canberra to be competitive. |
| NT | Conditional | Conditional | Heavily leans towards those already living and working in the Northern Territory. |
Note: State occupation lists are a moving target and update frequently. Always verify your eligibility directly on the relevant state's official migration portal before making plans.
If you're struggling to hit those astronomical points scores, the 491 state nomination might be your most realistic shot. Consider looking at regional hubs outside the major cities where your skills are desperately needed.
How to Boost Your Points Score
Because you're relying entirely on state nomination, every point counts. Here's how you can edge out the competition.
1. Nail the English Test
A jump from Proficient (IELTS 7.0/PTE 65) to Superior (IELTS 8.0/PTE 79) gives you a massive +10 points. It's the most effective thing you can do.
→ English points guide2. Partner Up
If your partner has competent English and a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the same list, that's another +10 points. If you're single, you get those 10 points by default.
→ Partner points guide3. Take the NAATI CCL
Bilingual? Passing the Credentialed Community Language test adds an extra +5 points to your tally. It's a quick win if you speak a second language fluently.
→ Partner points guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if currently at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | Varies | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | Varies | Low |
| Australian work experience (reaching next bracket) | +5 | Up to 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL exam | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
The Looming 2026 Points Test Reform
⚠ Keep in mind: The 2026 points test reform is currently only proposed, not legislated. The existing Schedule 6D system remains the law of the land for now.
The government is considering a massive overhaul of the points system to reward high-earning migrants and those with deeply in-demand skills. While exact numbers aren't locked in, there's a strong chance we'll see a shift towards salary-based points and a higher base pass mark. As a Sales and Marketing Manager, your future strategy may well revolve around proving a high earning capacity rather than just collecting basic points.
→ Read our breakdown of the 2026 points test reform