SkillSelect is the online system where you register your interest in migrating to Australia. Here's how the Expression of Interest system works and what happens after you submit.
What Is SkillSelect and How Does an Expression of Interest Work?
Before you can apply for most of Australia's skilled migration visas, including the 189, 190, and 491, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Understanding how this system works is fundamental to planning your immigration strategy.
What Is SkillSelect?
SkillSelect is the Australian government's online immigration management system. It is operated by the Department of Home Affairs and serves as a centralised pool where skilled migrants register their interest in migrating to Australia.
SkillSelect does not guarantee you a visa application. It places you in a competitive pool, and the government then selects or "invites" candidates from that pool based on their points score and occupation.
What Goes Into an EOI?
Your Expression of Interest captures all the information that determines your points score and eligibility:
Personal information (name, nationality, age)
Nominated occupation (the role you are skilled in, and its ANZSCO code)
Skills assessment details (the assessing authority and your assessment outcome)
English language test results
Work experience (Australian and overseas)
Qualifications
Whether you are including a partner
State nomination status (if you have one)
Additional points factors (NAATI, Professional Year, regional study)
You can submit a single EOI selecting multiple visa subclasses, 189, 190, and 491 simultaneously, which is common practice.
What Happens After You Submit?
Your EOI sits in the SkillSelect pool with a calculated points score. The Department of Home Affairs runs invitation rounds, typically monthly and invites the highest-scoring candidates in each occupation up to the quota for that round.
Invitations are issued by points order. If 500 accountants have EOIs and the round invites 100, the top 100 by points score are selected. Tied scores are broken by the date the EOI was submitted, which is why submitting early matters when your score is strong.
How Long Is an EOI Valid?
An EOI is valid for two years from the date of submission. If your circumstances change during that time — you improve your English score, gain more work experience, or receive a state nomination — you should update your EOI immediately. Updated information is reflected in your score from the date of the change.
What Happens When You Receive an Invitation?
Once invited, you have exactly 60 days to lodge a formal visa application with the Department of Home Affairs.
This application must be complete. Partial or incomplete applications cannot be later amended if the 60-day window expires.
The invitation does not mean your visa is approved. It means you are now eligible to apply, and a formal assessment of your documents and evidence will follow.
Can Your EOI Be Withdrawn from the Pool?
Yes, if the Department determines that information in your EOI is incorrect, or if an assessing authority provides adverse information, your EOI can be removed. This is why the information you submit must be accurate and consistent with the documentation you will later provide.
New World Immigration prepares EOIs on behalf of clients to ensure all information is accurate, complete, and optimised for the strongest possible presentation within the rules.