Understanding SkillSelect
SkillSelect is Australia's online system for managing expressions of interest (EOI) for skilled migration. Rather than accepting visa applications directly, the Department of Home Affairs invites the highest-ranked candidates from the SkillSelect pool to apply for a visa in invitation rounds. This approach is similar to Canada's Express Entry.
Three major subclasses operate through SkillSelect: Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent — no state sponsorship required), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated — requires a state or territory nomination), and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional — requires a state/territory nomination or family sponsorship for regional areas).
The Points Test
To submit an EOI for most skilled migration subclasses, you must score at least 65 points on the Skilled Migration Points Test. Points are awarded for: age (maximum 30 points, peaking at 25–32 years); English proficiency (0–20 points based on test scores); skilled employment outside Australia (0–15 points); skilled employment in Australia (0–20 points); educational qualifications (10–20 points); Australian study (5 points); specialist education qualifications (10 points); partner skills and qualifications (5–10 points); state or territory nomination (5 or 15 points); and community language (5 points for accredited interpreters).
The 65-point minimum is the floor — not the competitive threshold. In practice, most 189 invitation rounds in 2025–2026 have had cut-off scores of 85–90 points. A 190 nomination typically adds 5 points and can lower the effective cut-off significantly for in-demand occupations in specific states.
Skills Assessment
Before submitting an EOI, your qualifications and work experience must be assessed by the relevant Australian Skills Assessment Body for your occupation. Common bodies include: Engineers Australia (engineering); VETASSESS (management, professional occupations); Australian Computer Society (ICT); Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (nursing); and TRA (Trades Recognition Australia, for trade occupations).
The assessment process checks that your qualifications and experience are comparable to Australian standards. It typically requires: academic transcripts; employment reference letters; and in some cases, evidence of professional registration or licensing. Allow 4–16 weeks for assessment depending on the body.
How to Submit an EOI
Create a SkillSelect account through the Department of Home Affairs portal and complete your EOI. You will need: a positive skills assessment; current IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL English test scores; and all the information required to calculate your points score accurately. Misrepresenting your points score in an EOI is treated as providing false information and can result in visa refusal and bans.
Once your EOI is live in the pool, you may receive an invitation to apply (ITA) during monthly invitation rounds. An ITA is not a visa — it is an invitation to lodge a formal visa application, which must be submitted within 60 days of the invitation date.
State and Territory Nomination (Subclass 190)
Receiving a nomination from an Australian state or territory under the Subclass 190 programme adds 5 points to your score and significantly improves your invitation chances. Each state and territory publishes its own occupation list, minimum points requirements, and eligibility criteria — conditions change frequently and are separate from the federal skilled occupation list.
Popular destination states for 190 nominees: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. Each state prioritises different occupations. South Australia and Western Australia have historically offered nominations with lower state-specific points requirements for occupations in their priority lists. Research each state's current invitation requirements before committing to an application.
Timeline and Fees
Total processing time from EOI submission to visa grant varies: skills assessment (4–16 weeks) + time in the SkillSelect pool (variable) + visa application processing (4–18 months for 189/190). Budget at least 12–24 months from starting your skills assessment to receiving a visa decision.
Visa application fees (as of 2026) are approximately AUD$4,640 for the main applicant for Subclass 189 and 190, plus AUD$2,320 for each adult secondary applicant and AUD$1,160 for dependent children. Skills assessment fees are paid separately to the relevant assessing body and range from AUD$300 to AUD$1,000+.