Expression of Interest (EOI) for Australian Skilled Migration
An Expression of Interest is the first step for skilled professionals who want to be considered for an invitation to apply for selected Australian skilled visas through SkillSelect.
An EOI is not a visa application. It records your skills, qualifications, English results and work history so the Australian Government, states and territories can consider your profile. Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation or a visa.
What is an Expression of Interest?
SkillSelect is the Australian Government's online system for skilled workers. Candidates submit an EOI to indicate that they would like to be invited to apply for a skilled visa. The information entered is used to calculate a points score and rank eligible candidates for invitation rounds or state and territory nomination.
An EOI may be submitted for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), subject to the requirements of the relevant pathway.
Information required for an EOI
How the EOI process works
Check your pathway
Identify the relevant visa subclass, eligible occupation, points criteria and any state or territory nomination requirements.
Prepare key evidence
Obtain a suitable skills assessment and valid English test results where required, then review your qualifications and employment records.
Create and submit your EOI
Enter accurate information in SkillSelect. Documents are generally not uploaded at this stage, but every claimed point must later be supported by evidence.
Keep your profile current
Update your EOI before invitation when your circumstances change, including new employment, qualifications, English results or family details.
Respond to an invitation
If invited, check every claim carefully and lodge the relevant visa application with supporting documents within the stated invitation period.
Points, ranking and invitations
Points-tested skilled visas consider factors such as age, English ability, skilled employment, educational qualifications, Australian study and partner skills. Meeting the minimum threshold allows an EOI to be considered, but it does not ensure an invitation. Invitation outcomes depend on factors including the visa subclass, occupation ceilings or demand, ranking, tie-break rules and available program places.
After submitting your EOI
- Your EOI remains active in SkillSelect for up to two years.
- You can update it before receiving an invitation.
- If invited, you generally have 60 days to lodge the visa application.
- All points and eligibility claims must be supported by valid evidence.
- An EOI does not provide a bridging visa or permission to remain in Australia.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can review your circumstances, help identify a suitable skilled migration pathway, check your points claims and guide you through skills assessment, English evidence, EOI preparation, state nomination and the visa application stage. Advice is tailored to your profile and remains subject to current Australian migration law and program requirements.