For skilled migration applicants, an additional 10 points can make an important difference to their overall points score.

Applicants with certain Australian master’s by research degrees or doctoral degrees may be eligible for these points under the Specialist Educational Qualification provisions of the General Skilled Migration points test.

A new legislative instrument, the Migration (Fields of Education) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/057), replaces the previous instrument that specified the eligible fields of education. Importantly, the 2026 instrument maintains the existing policy settings for these STEM-related qualifications, rather than introducing a new list of eligible fields.

For applicants with an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the system, particularly those waiting for an invitation in upcoming General Skilled Migration invitation rounds, understanding how these points work is important.

What are Specialist Educational Qualification points?

The General Skilled Migration points test provides 10 points for an applicant who meets the requirements for a specialist educational qualification.

Under regulation 2.26AC(5A) of the Migration Regulations 1994, the qualification must meet specific requirements.

The applicant must have completed the requirements for an Australian educational institution to award them either:

  • a master’s degree by research; or
  • a doctoral degree.

The degree must also have included at least two academic years of study at the Australian institution in a specified field of education.

Which fields qualify for the STEM points?

The 2026 instrument specifies fields across three broad areas:

Natural and physical sciences

The specified fields include:

  • Biological sciences
  • Chemical sciences
  • Earth sciences
  • Mathematical sciences
  • Natural and physical sciences
  • Other natural and physical sciences
  • Physics and astronomy

Information technology

The specified fields include:

  • Computer science
  • Information systems
  • Information technology
  • Other information technology

Engineering and related technologies

The specified fields include:

  • Aerospace engineering and technology
  • Civil engineering
  • Electrical and electronic engineering and technology
  • Engineering and related technologies
  • Geomatic engineering
  • Manufacturing engineering and technology
  • Maritime engineering and technology
  • Mechanical and industrial engineering and technology
  • Other engineering and related technologies
  • Process and resources engineering

These fields are the same policy settings that were contained in the previous instrument. The 2026 instrument replaces the earlier instrument as part of the legislative process, but does not change the underlying list of specified fields.

Does this mean STEM points have changed?

Not in terms of the eligible fields.

The purpose of LIN 26/057 is to replace the previous specification of fields of education while maintaining the existing policy arrangements.

IMMI 16/076 was due to sunset on 1 October 2026. The new instrument replaces it ahead of that date, maintaining the existing STEM qualification settings for the General Skilled Migration points test.

There have been minor drafting changes to modernise the wording, but the specified fields of education have not been changed.

For applicants, this is an important distinction. A new legislative instrument does not necessarily mean that the points available or the qualifying STEM fields have been changed.

Which skilled visas does this affect?

The General Skilled Migration points test applies to several skilled visa subclasses, including:

A master’s degree does not automatically mean 10 additional points

This is one of the most important points for applicants to understand.

The specialist educational qualification provision is specifically concerned with a master’s degree by research or a doctoral degree. A standard master’s degree by coursework does not automatically satisfy this particular requirement.

The qualification must also include at least two academic years of study at the Australian institution and fall within one of the specified fields of education.

Applicants must look beyond the title of their qualification, and ensure they check the CRICOS register for the field of study linked to their degree.

Two applicants could both hold a master’s degree in a broadly related area, but their qualifications may not necessarily be treated the same way for the specialist educational qualification points.

The details of the course, its classification and the nature and duration of the study all matter.

What does this mean for people with an existing EOI?

The timing of an invitation is particularly important.

The specialist educational qualification points are awarded based on whether the applicant meets the relevant requirements at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.

This means applicants with an EOI that has already been submitted and is still undecided should not assume that the mere existence of the EOI guarantees a particular points outcome.

If you are waiting for an invitation, it is important to ensure that the points claimed in your EOI accurately reflect your circumstances and that you have evidence to support those claims if you are invited.

With the next invitation round expected by 30 September 2026 applicants may naturally have questions about whether the change to the legislative instrument will affect their eligibility.

Based on the stated purpose of LIN 26/057, the replacement instrument maintains the existing policy arrangements for the specified fields of education. It is therefore not a new STEM points list.

What should applicants do?

If you have a master’s by research degree or doctorate from Australia in a STEM field, it is worth checking whether your qualification satisfies all of the requirements for the specialist educational qualification points.

In particular, consider:

What type of qualification do you hold?
Was it a master’s by research or a doctoral degree?

Where was it completed?
The relevant provision refers to study at an Australian educational institution.

How long did you study?
The qualification must have included at least two academic years of study at the institution.

What is the field of education?
The qualification must fall within a field specified by the relevant legislative instrument.

Have you claimed the points correctly in your EOI?
Points need to be supportable if you receive an invitation.

Has anything changed since you lodged your EOI?
Changes to qualifications, English results, age, employment or other points-tested factors can affect your overall score.

The key takeaway

The introduction of the Migration (Fields of Education) Instrument 2026 does not change the STEM fields eligible for specialist educational qualification points. The new instrument simply maintains the existing policy settings.

For eligible applicants, a specialist educational qualification remains valued at 10 points under the General Skilled Migration points test.

However, eligibility depends on more than simply having a STEM-related qualification. The qualification must meet the specific requirements relating to the type of degree, duration of study and field of education.

If you have an EOI in the system or are preparing for a Subclass 189, 190 or 491 application, it is important to make sure you understand exactly how your qualification is treated under the points test before relying on those additional points.

If you’re unsure whether your qualification qualifies for the specialist educational qualification points, speak with a registered migration agent before making decisions based on your points score.