Expression of Interest (EOI) for Skilled Visas: How the Invitation Process Works
17th Aug 2026
Written by Migration Partner Lauren Blud and Legal Administration Assistant Destan Kara | Last Reviewed August 2026
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is the formal application you lodge through the Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system to signal your interest in a points-tested skilled visa. It is not a visa application itself. It is the step that determines whether you are invited to apply.
Three visa subclasses run through this process: the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa, the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, and the Skilled Work Regional Provisional (subclass 491) visa. You cannot apply for any of these directly. You must first submit an EOI, be ranked against other applicants, and receive an invitation before an application can even be lodged.
Invitation rounds run periodically throughout the year, and the next Skilled Independent (subclass 189) round is expected by 30 September 2026. Because invitations are ranked competitively, an EOI that is accurate, current, and well-evidenced matters more than simply meeting the minimum score.
What Is an EOI and Why Does It Matter?
An EOI is where you record your personal details, qualifications, work history, English language results, and nominated occupation. The Department uses this information to calculate a points score and rank you against everyone else in the pool for that visa subclass and occupation.
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation. It only makes you eligible to be considered in future rounds. Your EOI stays active in SkillSelect for two years from the date you submit it, and you can update it at any time before you’re invited if your circumstances change (a new English test result, a pay rise, additional work experience, or a state nomination, for example).
How the Points Test Works
To be considered, you need to meet or exceed the minimum points threshold of 65. In practice, 65 points is rarely enough to secure an invitation for most occupations. Recent rounds have shown minimum invited scores ranging anywhere from 65 points for some in-demand trade occupations up to 95 or 100 points for highly competitive fields like ICT and engineering.
Points are awarded across several factors:
| Factor | Points Available |
| Age (25 to 32 is the highest-scoring bracket) | Up to 30 |
| English language ability (Superior English) | Up to 20 |
| Skilled employment (Australian and overseas combined) | Up to 20 |
| Educational qualifications | Up to 20 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Specialist education qualification (STEM) | 10 |
| Partner skills | Up to 10 |
| State or territory nomination (subclass 190) | 5 |
| Regional nomination or sponsorship (subclass 491) | 15 |
These figures are indicative and change depending on individual circumstances and current legislative settings. Use the Department’s points calculator to get an accurate score based on your own profile, and speak with a registered migration lawyer before relying on any self-assessed figure.
EOI Ranking and the Chance to Apply
A higher points score improves your ranking, but it is not the only factor. When two or more EOIs have the same score, the Department invites the one with the earlier “date of effect”, the date your EOI first reached that score. This is called the tie-break rule, and it means that reaching your target score sooner can genuinely improve your position, even against someone with an identical final score.
The number of invitations issued in each round, and which occupations are included, depends on the needs of the Australian economy and the volume of applications the Department is already processing. This is why occupation choice matters as much as your raw points total. A tradesperson may be invited at 65 points in a round where an ICT professional needs 95.
Skilled Occupation List
To be eligible for most points-tested skilled visas, your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list. Each occupation is identified by an ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) code, which sets out the skill level, and the qualifications and experience typically required to work in that role in Australia.
Before submitting an EOI, confirm that your occupation is listed and that you hold (or can obtain) a positive skills assessment against it. An incorrect or unsupported occupation nomination is one of the most common reasons EOIs are ranked lower than expected or applications are later refused.
What Happens After Being Invited to Apply?
Receiving a final invitation opens a limited window (usually 60 days) to lodge a full visa application. At this stage, you’ll need to:
- Confirm all the claims made in your EOI with supporting documentary evidence
- Provide health and character assessments where required
- Ensure your skills assessment, English test results, and work experience evidence remain current and valid
- Submit the application within the specified time frame
An invitation is not a guarantee of a visa grant. The application must independently satisfy all legal requirements before the Department will approve it, and any points claimed at invitation must generally still be able to be substantiated at the time of application.
All Access Migration – How we Can Help
Preparing a strong Expression of Interest, choosing the right occupation nomination, and building an accurate points claim all affect your chances of receiving an invitation, and the strength of your application once you do. This particularly includes an assessment of whether you have the sufficient evidence to support the claims made. Our experienced migration lawyers can review your circumstances, help you maximise your points position, and guide you through every stage from EOI to grant.
Contact us at All Access Migration today to schedule a consultation tailored to your individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM POINTS SCORE FOR A SKILLED VISA EOI?
The minimum threshold to submit an EOI is 65 points. Meeting this threshold makes you eligible to be considered, but it does not guarantee an invitation, particularly for competitive occupations.
HOW LONG DOES AN EOI REMAIN ACTIVE?
An EOI remains active in SkillSelect for two years from the date of submission. If you are not invited within that time, you will need to submit a new EOI.
CAN I UPDATE MY EOI AFTER SUBMITTING IT?
Yes. You can update your EOI at any time before receiving an invitation. Keeping it current, particularly your points claims, is important, since changes in your circumstances can affect your ranking in future rounds.
WHAT IS A TIE-BREAK DATE OR DATE OF EFFECT?
It is the date and time your EOI first reached its current points score. When multiple applicants share the same score, the Department invites the one with the earlier date of effect first.
DOES MEETING 65 POINTS GUARANTEE AN INVITATION?
No. The Department ranks all eligible EOIs by score, occupation, and date of effect, and invitations are limited by occupation ceilings and overall program numbers. Some occupations receive invitations well above the 65-point minimum.
