Expression of Interest (SkillSelect): What It Is

Expression of Interest (SkillSelect): What It Is

An Expression of Interest is a formal declaration submitted through SkillSelect — the Australian government's online platform — that tells the Department of Home Affairs you'd like to be considered for a skilled migration visa. It is not a visa application. You cannot apply directly for a subclass 189, 190, or 491 visa. You must first submit an Expression of Interest, be ranked by your points score, and receive an invitation before you can lodge a visa application. Invitations are issued in regular rounds, and the highest-scoring candidates are invited first. For the full step-by-step on how the EOI process works, see our SkillSelect EOI guide.

How SkillSelect Works

Think of SkillSelect as a waiting room where the Department of Home Affairs selects the most qualified candidates from a pool.

The process:

1. You get your skills assessed and take an English language test
2. You submit an EOI through SkillSelect, declaring your points claims
3. Your EOI enters the pool alongside thousands of other candidates
4. The Department runs regular invitation rounds (typically monthly)
5. Invitations are issued to the highest-scoring candidates within each occupation
6. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application

You don't pay anything to submit an EOI. The cost comes later when you're invited and lodge the actual visa application ($4,640 for subclass 189/190).

Submitting an EOI

Your EOI includes detailed information about your:

• Personal details: Name, date of birth, nationality, passport details
• Nominated occupation: Your ANZSCO code and skills assessment reference
• Points claims: Each factor you're claiming points for (age, English, qualifications, work experience, etc.)
• Visa preferences: Which visa subclasses you're interested in (189, 190, 491)
• State/territory preferences: For 190 and 491, which states you're willing to be nominated by
• Family members: Details of anyone who would be included in your application

Critical rule: Every claim in your EOI must be supported by evidence when you lodge your visa application. Don't inflate your points. If you claim 20 points for Superior English but your actual test score is Proficient (10 points), your visa application will be refused when the claimed points don't match the evidence.

Invitation Rounds

The Department runs invitation rounds where the system automatically selects and invites the highest-scoring candidates.

How invitations are allocated:

1. EOIs are ranked by points score (highest first)
2. Among candidates with the same points score, the earlier "date of effect" gets priority
3. Invitations are issued up to the occupation ceiling for each ANZSCO code
4. The number of invitations per round varies based on the migration program's planning levels

Occupation ceilings: Each occupation has a ceiling (maximum number of invitations per program year). When the ceiling is reached, no more invitations are issued for that occupation until the next program year, regardless of points score.

Minimum score: The legislated minimum is 65 points. However, competitive scores are much higher. In recent rounds:

• Most ICT occupations: 85-95 points
• Accounting: 90-95 points
• Engineering: 80-90 points
• Nursing: 70-80 points
• Trades: 75-85 points

These figures change with every round. Check the latest round results for your specific occupation.

Date of Effect

Your "date of effect" is the date your EOI was submitted or last updated in a way that changed your points score. It's the tiebreaker when multiple candidates have the same points score.

How it works:

• If you submit an EOI on 1 March with 85 points, your date of effect is 1 March
• If someone else submitted on 1 February with 85 points, they'll be invited first
• If you update your EOI on 15 March to claim more points (say, going from 85 to 90), your date of effect changes to 15 March, but your higher score means you'll likely be invited before the 85-point candidates regardless

Automatic updates: If your points change due to age (you cross a birthday threshold), the system automatically updates your score and date of effect. This can work against you if, for example, you turn 33 and drop from 30 to 25 age points.

The EOI Pool

EOIs remain in the pool for 2 years from the date of effect. If you don't receive an invitation within 2 years, your EOI expires and you need to submit a new one.

What you can do while waiting:

• Update your EOI if your circumstances change (new English test score, additional work experience, etc.)
• Accept state nomination if offered (this changes your EOI from 189 to 190)
• Monitor invitation round results to gauge when you might be invited
• Work on improving your points (retake English tests, gain more experience)

What happens when you're invited:

• You receive an email notification from SkillSelect
• You have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application through ImmiAccount
• If you don't lodge within 60 days, the invitation expires and your EOI goes back in the pool

Improving Your Ranking

If your current points score isn't competitive for invitation, here are proven strategies to improve your position:

Improve your English (up to 20 bonus points): This is often the single biggest point-boosting opportunity. Moving from Competent (0 points) to Proficient (10 points) or Superior (20 points) transforms your competitiveness.

• IELTS: 7.0 each band = Proficient; 8.0 each band = Superior
• PTE Academic: 65 each = Proficient; 79 each = Superior
• Many applicants find PTE Academic easier to achieve high scores on than IELTS

Gain more work experience (up to 20 points): Each additional year of skilled employment in your nominated occupation adds points. Australian work experience is weighted more heavily than overseas experience.

Complete a Professional Year (5 points): Available in accounting, IT, and engineering for graduates who studied in Australia.

Get a NAATI credential (5 points): If you speak a community language, passing the NAATI test adds 5 points.

Consider partner points (5-10 points): If your partner has competent English and/or a positive skills assessment, this can add 5-10 points.

Target state nomination (5 points for 190, 15 for 491): If the 189 threshold is too high, state nomination for the 190 adds 5 points. The 491 adds 15 points but requires regional living.

Common Mistakes

Claiming points you can't evidence: The most common cause of visa refusal after invitation. Only claim points you can prove with documentary evidence.

Not updating your EOI when circumstances change: If you get a new English test result or pass a work experience milestone, update your EOI. An outdated EOI with lower points sits behind everyone else.

Submitting multiple EOIs: You can only have one EOI per visa subclass. Submitting duplicates may result in both being suspended.

Ignoring occupation ceilings: If your occupation's ceiling has been reached for the program year, no amount of points will get you an invitation. Consider whether a different (but legitimate) ANZSCO code might have a more favourable ceiling.

Waiting too long to lodge after invitation: You have 60 days. This sounds like plenty, but gathering medicals, police clearances, and supporting documents takes time. Start preparing before you're invited.

FAQ

Is SkillSelect free? Yes. Submitting and maintaining an EOI costs nothing. You only pay when you're invited and lodge the actual visa application.

Can I submit an EOI without a skills assessment? Technically yes, but you'll need a completed skills assessment by the time you lodge your visa application. Most people complete the skills assessment first so they know their occupation and points are confirmed.

How often are invitation rounds held? Typically monthly, though the frequency and size of rounds vary. The Department doesn't always announce rounds in advance.

Can I be invited for the 190 if I only selected the 189? No. You need to select the 190 in your EOI to be considered for state nomination. Many applicants select both 189 and 190 to maximise their chances.

What happens if I decline an invitation? You can choose not to lodge after being invited. Your invitation will expire after 60 days and your EOI will go back into the pool. However, you can only receive a maximum of two invitations on the same EOI.