Wondering whether 85 points is competitive for Materials Engineer (also known as Materials Scientist Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer)? Below is where a 85-point score actually sits in the live SkillSelect pool for Materials Engineer (ANZSCO 233112) as at August 2026: how many submitted EOIs rank ahead of you, how many are tied, and what that means for each visa pathway.
Quick answer
Materials Engineer with 85 points is a strong position for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) as at August 2026. In the live SkillSelect pool for Materials Engineer, about 41 submitted EOIs rank ahead of you and 42 sit level with your score. SkillSelect invites the highest scores first, which puts you in the top quarter of the pool, a competitive position. At this level the wait is about round timing, not competition, so lodge your EOI as soon as your skills assessment is in.
Where 85 Points Puts You for Materials Engineer
| Pathway | Your ranking score | Submitted EOIs ranked ahead | Tied at your score | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | 85 | 41 | 42 | Top 25% |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | 90 | 57 | 66 | Top 25% |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | 100 | 30 | 30 | Top 10% |
Source: SkillSelect submitted-EOI points data for Materials Engineer (national pool), as at August 2026. Counts are rounded by the Department of Home Affairs; small buckets sit at a suppression floor. Higher scores are invited first, and ties are separated by EOI date.
Reading the Numbers
SkillSelect ranks every Expression of Interest by points and invites from the top down, so your real question is not whether you pass a mark but how many people sit above you. For the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 85 points is a ranking score of 85. The table above reads that score against the Materials Engineer pool position by position.
State nomination changes the maths: a 190 nomination lifts your ranking score to 90 (+5); a 491 nomination lifts your ranking score to 100 (+15). At the higher score, fewer EOIs rank ahead of you, which is why the state-nominated pathways can be faster than the 189 for the same base points. The table above shows where each score sits in the Materials Engineer pool.
These figures are the national Materials Engineer pool as at August 2026. They move every month as EOIs are submitted, invited or expire, and this page is rebuilt from the live data on every update, so the numbers stay current.
See Your Real, Personalised Position
This page uses the national pool for Materials Engineer. For your exact queue position, factoring in your occupation, your state options and the live round history, run your own numbers:
- Check Your Real Chances — where your score sits in the live EOI queue.
- Points Calculator — confirm your score, then see the queue for it.
Materials Engineer at Other Points Scores
See how the competition changes at other scores for Materials Engineer: 65 points · 70 points · 75 points · 80 points · 85 points · 90 points · 95 points.
Related Pages
- Full Materials Engineer pathway guide (visas, fees, assessing body, all-state EOI table)
- All invitation rounds
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