SkillSelect and Invitation Rounds in Australia: A Guide for Skilled Work Visas

24.06.25

Published 24 June 2025 | Last updated 2 September 2026 | Written by Migration Partner Lauren Blud and Migration Senior Associate Matilda Gee

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SkillSelect is the online system Australia’s Department of Home Affairs uses to manage skilled visa applications. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with your age, English level, work experience and qualifications, which is scored against the points test (65 points is the legal minimum). During regular Invitation Rounds, the government invites the highest-scoring EOIs for each nominated occupation to apply for a visa, most commonly the Subclass 189, 190, or 491. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application.

If you are looking to migrate to Australia through the skilled migration program, understanding the SkillSelect system and Invitation Rounds is paramount. These two components are at the core of Australia’s point-based immigration process, helping manage and prioritise applicants based on Australia’s labour market needs. This article explains what SkillSelect is, how Invitation Rounds work, and how to navigate this system to increase your chances of receiving an invitation.

WHAT IS SKILLSELECT?

SkillSelect is an online system used by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to manage skilled migration applications. It was introduced to help streamline the process, enabling the government to select skilled workers who are best suited to fill the country’s labour shortages in key sectors.

Skilled workers from across the world wishing to migrate to Australia for work purposes must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. This system manages applications for various skilled migration visas, including:

  • Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
  • Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
  • Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

HOW DOES SKILLSELECT WORK?

The process begins when you submit an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) via the SkillSelect platform. The EOI provides detailed information about your qualifications, work experience, English language proficiency, age, and other criteria relevant to skilled migration. You will also need to nominate an occupation from the relevant Skilled Occupation List (‘SOL’), which is updated periodically by the Australian government.

Your EOI will be scored based on the points test, which awards points for factors including, but not limited to:

  • Age: Younger applicants generally receive more points.
  • English language proficiency: Higher levels of English lead to more points.
  • Work experience: More years of relevant work experience increase your score.
  • Qualifications: Higher qualifications, such as a PhD, may earn you additional points.

Once you submit your EOI, it will be entered into the SkillSelect system, where the Australian government can assess it when invitation rounds are held.

WHAT ARE INVITATION ROUNDS?

Invitation Rounds are the process by which the Australian government invites individuals with the EOIs to apply for a skilled visa (usually for the highest-scoring EOIs). These rounds are held regularly, and only those who receive an invitation can apply for a visa.

The key points about Invitation Rounds are:

INVITATIONS

The Australian government holds invitation rounds regularly. During these rounds, applicants with the highest points are invited to apply for a skilled visa. However, there is no guarantee when an invitation will be provided.

CUT-OFF SCORES

Each round has a cut-off score, which is the minimum number of points an applicant needs to receive an invitation. This score can vary depending on factors such as occupation demand and how many EOIs are in the pool.

OCCUPATION-BASED INVITATIONS

Invitations are also issued based on the occupation you’ve nominated in your EOI. Some occupations are in higher demand than others, and this affects the cut-off scores. For example, an occupation in high demand may have a lower cut-off score, while less-demanded occupations may have a higher threshold.

REGIONAL AND STATE NOMINATION

For certain visa types, like the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visas, applicants may be nominated by a state or territory. A nomination often increases the likelihood of receiving an invitation, as it may lower the required points threshold for receiving an invitation.

HOW DO YOU RECEIVE AN INVITATION?

Once your EOI is submitted, it will be assessed during the invitation rounds. If your score meets or exceeds the cut-off score for your nominated occupation, you may receive an invitation to apply for a visa.

STEPS TO RECEIVING AN INVITATION?

SUBMIT EOI

Provide all the required details in your EOI and ensure you’ve met the eligibility criteria for your visa category.

WAIT FOR THE INVITATION ROUND

Invitation rounds occur regularly though this may vary. During each round, invitations are issued to applicants with the highest points.

GET INVITED

If your score is high enough, you will receive an invitation to apply for your visa (or apply for state nomination first if applicable, then the visa once provided).

SUBMIT VISA APPLICATION

Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your complete visa application.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF RECEIVING AN INVITATION

Here are some strategies to improve your chances of receiving an invitation during an Invitation Round:

INCREASE YOUR POINTS SCORE

The higher your score, the better your chances. You can improve your score by:

  • Taking an English language test to demonstrate higher levels of proficiency (e.g., IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL).
  • Gaining additional work experience in your nominated occupation.
  • Completing further qualifications that are relevant to your occupation.
  • Seeking state or regional nomination.

CHOOSE AN OCCUPATION IN DEMAND

Some occupations are more in demand than others. Ensure that your nominated occupation is on the relevant List and be aware of which jobs are in high demand.

CONSIDER STATE OR TERRITORY NOMINATION

For applicants under the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visas, being nominated by a state or territory can significantly increase your chances of receiving an invitation, as it can lower the points threshold.

HOW WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH SKILLSELECT & INVITATION ROUNDS

Navigating the SkillSelect and Invitation Rounds system can be complex, but it is an essential process for skilled workers who would like to migrate to Australia. By understanding how the system works, improving your points score, and ensuring your occupation is in demand, you can improve your chances of receiving an invitation and eventually obtaining your Australian visa.

If you are interested in applying, please do not hesitate to contact our team of experienced migration lawyers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is SkillSelect?

SkillSelect is the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ online system for managing skilled migration. Prospective applicants submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) rather than a full visa application, and the government uses SkillSelect to identify and invite the candidates best suited to fill skills shortages.

How many points do I need to get an invitation?

The legal minimum points score to be eligible for an invitation is 65. Meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee an invitation, though, as invitations are issued to the highest-scoring EOIs first, and competitive occupations regularly require a score well above 65. Your points are calculated from factors like age, English proficiency, skilled work experience, and qualifications.

How often are invitation rounds held?

It depends on the visa subclass and can change from year to year. For example, Subclass 189 invitation rounds have been running quarterly in the 2025-26 program year, while other subclasses and state or territory nomination rounds can run on a different schedule. It’s worth checking SkillSelect directly, or with a migration lawyer, for the current round calendar for your occupation.

How long do I have to apply after receiving an invitation?

You have 60 days from the date of invitation to submit a complete visa application.

What's the difference between the 189, 190 and 491 visas?

The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) doesn’t require any state, territory or family sponsorship. The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) both require nomination by a state or territory (491 can alternatively be family-sponsored), which typically adds points to your score and can lower the effective threshold you need to be invited.

Does state or territory nomination guarantee an invitation?

No, but it materially improves your chances. Nomination adds points to your EOI and, for some visa subclasses, is a prerequisite to being considered at all. You still need to meet the relevant occupation and eligibility criteria, and nomination itself is a separate, competitive application to the state or territory.

How long does an EOI stay active in SkillSelect?

An EOI remains active in SkillSelect for two years from the date you submit it. You can update it during that time, for example to reflect a new English test result or extra work experience, which can improve your ranking in future rounds.

Is the SkillSelect points test changing?

The 2026-27 Federal Budget flagged a reform of the points test to prioritise higher-skilled, better-educated and younger applicants, but as at the last update of this article, no new scoring model or start date had been legislated. The current points test and 65-point minimum still apply. We recommend confirming the latest position with a migration lawyer before submitting or relying on an EOI score.

Can I submit more than one EOI?

Yes. You can submit separate EOIs for different occupations or visa subclasses if you’re eligible for more than one, which can widen your chances across different invitation rounds.