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How SkillSelect invitations work

Checked 2 November 2026

189 invitations are issued in rounds. In each round Home Affairs ranks submitted EOIs by points, highest first, and breaks ties by the date of effect: the date your EOI reached its current score. Since 2023-24 most occupations have their own cut-off, so the same score can be enough for a nurse and not for an accountant.

Points first, then date of effect

If you gain points (new English result, another year of work), your date of effect resets to that day. A higher score with a later date still beats a lower score with an earlier date.

Occupation ceilings

Each 4-digit occupation group has a ceiling for the program year. When it is used up, no more 189 or 491 family invitations go to that group until the next year. Ceilings do not apply to 190 or state-nominated 491.

EOIs expire after two years

An EOI stays in SkillSelect for two years. If you are not invited in that time it closes and you need to lodge a new one.

After an invitation

You have 60 days to lodge the visa application. Your claims must be true on the day you were invited.

General information, not migration advice. Rules change; check the Home Affairs website or a registered migration agent for your situation.