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Dataset 01 · reviewed 3 August 2026

Points Tested and Invitations to Apply in SkillSelect: How the Process Actually Works

Which subclasses are points tested, and what is the threshold?

The Department of Home Affairs identifies three SkillSelect visas as points based:

The department states that a person invited to apply for one of these visas must meet or exceed the points threshold of 65. That threshold is the same across all three subclasses.

Meeting 65 points does not guarantee an invitation. The points threshold establishes one condition for invitation; it does not remove the subsequent ranking process or make an invitation automatic.

What SkillSelect’s indicative points score means

When an EOI is completed, SkillSelect provides an indicative points score based on the information entered in the EOI. “Indicative” matters: the department does not present it as a final score. It reflects the information supplied at that stage, not a final decision about the person or their invitation prospects.

The points categories named by Home Affairs are:

As part of completing the EOI, SkillSelect requests information about the applicant’s personal, educational and professional background. The EOI instructions also say to include English test and skills assessment results as they are received.

This separates two ideas that are easy to conflate. The indicative score is generated from the EOI information. Whether an invitation follows is a distinct stage involving the EOI’s ranking against other EOIs. Reaching the minimum threshold therefore does not end the selection process.

The occupation check before the EOI stage

The department’s published workflow also includes an occupation check before an applicant proceeds through the points-tested EOI process. Home Affairs instructs applicants to check that their occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list.

The department’s Skill occupation list page says eligible skilled occupations for the relevant visa program are identified in the relevant legislative instrument. Different skills lists apply to different visas. The occupation check therefore conditions participation in the relevant EOI process, although the threshold of 65 points does not by itself guarantee selection.

From EOI to ranking, invitation and application

The department’s published sequence is:

EOI submission → ranking against other EOIs → invitation to apply → 60 days from the invitation date → visa application submitted through ImmiAccount

Submit the EOI through SkillSelect

SkillSelect is the system used to submit an EOI for skilled visas. An EOI must be submitted before an invitation can be issued for subclass 189, subclass 190 or subclass 491.

The process begins by starting the EOI and saving personal information. Home Affairs then sends an email containing the EOI ID and login details. The applicant adds the required information, saves the EOI at each step and submits it when complete.

Update the EOI before receiving an invitation

An EOI is not fixed at its original submission. Home Affairs says that if circumstances change, the EOI can be updated at any time before receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.

The stated endpoint is the invitation. The department’s instructions do not extend this EOI-update rule to the period after an invitation has been received.

EOI ranking comes next

The SkillSelect overview places ranking after EOI submission and before an invitation to apply. Submitted EOIs are ranked against other EOIs.

This ranking stage explains why meeting the 65-point threshold is not equivalent to receiving an invitation. The threshold is required to be invited, but the invitation is not issued solely because that threshold has been met.

Invitation to apply

An invitation to apply is the next possible stage after the EOI has been ranked. It is not guaranteed by the indicative score or by meeting the minimum points threshold.

The invitation also starts a defined response period. Home Affairs states that the applicant has 60 days from the date of the invitation to complete and submit the visa application online.

Complete the application in ImmiAccount

The visa application is lodged through ImmiAccount, the department’s digital platform for visa applications. The published sequence requires the application and supporting documents to be completed and submitted within the invitation period.

Accordingly, the mechanism contains separate stages: SkillSelect records the EOI and produces an indicative score; the EOI is ranked; an invitation may follow; and the invitation starts the 60-day period for lodging the application through ImmiAccount.

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