SkillSelect is the Australian Government’s online system for people who want to be considered for points-tested skilled migration. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not a visa application. It records information about your skills, qualifications, employment, English ability and points claims so that you may be considered for an invitation.
Submitting an EOI or reaching the minimum points threshold does not guarantee nomination or an invitation. Outcomes can depend on the visa subclass, points score, occupation, program priorities and the number of available places.
How the SkillSelect process works
The process generally involves three stages:
- Check the requirements for the relevant visa pathway and prepare the evidence supporting your occupation, skills assessment, English ability and points claims.
- Submit an accurate EOI through SkillSelect and seek state or territory nomination or eligible-family sponsorship where the selected pathway requires it.
- If invited, lodge the visa application within the timeframe stated in the invitation and provide evidence supporting the claims that produced the invitation.
An EOI should be kept accurate if your circumstances change. Before accepting an invitation or lodging a visa application, confirm that every claimed point and eligibility requirement can be supported.
General requirements for Subclass 189, 190 and 491
The exact requirements differ between the three pathways, but applicants generally need to:
- be under 45 when invited to apply;
- nominate an occupation that is eligible for the selected pathway;
- hold a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation;
- meet the applicable English-language requirement;
- reach at least 65 points and support every points claim with evidence;
- submit an accurate EOI through SkillSelect; and
- obtain state or territory nomination, or eligible-family sponsorship, where required.
Review the current Skilled Occupation List and the main Skilled Migration Program page before selecting a pathway.
How the three visa pathways differ
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa: a permanent points-tested pathway that does not require state, territory, employer or family sponsorship. Review the Subclass 189 pathway.
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa: a permanent points-tested pathway requiring state or territory nomination. Approved nomination contributes five points. Review the Subclass 190 pathway.
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa: a provisional regional pathway requiring state or territory nomination or eligible-family sponsorship. Approved regional support contributes 15 points. Review the Subclass 491 pathway.
Before submitting an EOI
Check that dates, employment periods, qualifications, English results and partner claims are consistent with the evidence you can provide. A points claim that cannot be supported may affect whether the visa application satisfies the criteria attached to the invitation.
For a broader explanation of the process, read the Australian Skilled Migration Guide. Current government information is also available through the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect page.
