EOI submitted but not invited yet: how SkillSelect invites
Settledin Team5 min readAn EOI submitted in SkillSelect is not always invited. For the 189 and the 491 Family Sponsored stream, Home Affairs invites the highest points scores first, breaks ties by the date of effect, and applies occupation ceilings. For the 190 and the State or Territory Nominated 491, an invitation follows a state nomination. EOIs are archived after 2 years.
Rules checked against Home Affairs on 5 October 2026.
How does SkillSelect decide who is invited?
It depends on the visa. Home Affairs' invitation rounds page sets out two systems.
| Visa | How invitations are issued |
|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Home Affairs invitation rounds, ranked by points |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491), Family Sponsored | Home Affairs invitation rounds, ranked by points |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | A state or territory nominates, which triggers the invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491), State or Territory Nominated | A state or territory nominates, which triggers the invitation |
In Home Affairs' rounds, the highest ranked EOI by points score is invited before an EOI with a lower score. Every round date is on our 189 invitation rounds page. Home Affairs says the number of invitations and occupations in each round varies with the needs of the Australian economy and the number of applications it already has on hand.
The 189 visa page adds that invitations depend on the EOI's points and on places being available for the occupation. Places are allocated to meet the Migration Program planning levels, covered in Australia's 2026–27 Migration Program.
What is the date of effect?
It is the tie break between EOIs with the same points score. Home Affairs determines the time and date at which an EOI reached its score for that subclass, and the EOI with the earlier date of effect is invited first (invitation rounds).
Because the date of effect is tied to the score, it follows changes to the EOI. SkillSelect updates the indicative points score whenever the EOI is changed (189 visa page).
What are occupation ceilings?
An occupation ceiling is an upper limit on how many EOIs Home Affairs may invite from an occupation group. Home Affairs says ceilings keep the skilled migration program balanced and inviting a diverse range of occupations (invitation rounds).
Occupation ceilings do not apply to the 190 or to the State or Territory Nominated 491. Settledin's occupation pages show which visas list each occupation.
How do state nominations for the 190 and 491 work?
State and territory government agencies view EOIs in SkillSelect and decide whether to nominate. A nomination triggers the invitation. Home Affairs says its own invitation rounds don't affect state nominations, and that each state manages nominations in line with its own priorities (invitation rounds).
Each state and territory has its own criteria and asks applicants to contact it directly (190 visa page). Settledin's state and territory pages link each one.
Each year, the Australian Government sets how many people each state and territory can nominate. When the allocations page was last updated, on 21 September 2026, it still showed the 2025–26 allocations. Home Affairs notes that allocations do not set the number of visas granted.
How long does an EOI stay in SkillSelect?
2 years from when it is submitted. EOIs, including incomplete ones, are archived after 2 years (after you submit your EOI).
Other rules from the same Home Affairs pages:
- An EOI can be withdrawn at any time before an invitation.
- Home Affairs can't tell you how an EOI is progressing or whether it may be invited.
- An EOI is not a visa application, so it does not lead to a bridging visa. Someone in Australia whose visa expires before they can apply needs another visa to stay lawfully.
- Turning 45 before an invitation means the EOI will not be invited (189 visa page).
What each status means, from Submitted to Invited and Lodged, is in SkillSelect EOI statuses, explained.
Which points categories can change after an EOI is submitted?
Home Affairs asks people to update their EOI after new work experience, a higher qualification, better English results or a new skills assessment, and after a change in family (after you submit your EOI). An EOI can't be updated once it has been invited.
These categories in the official points table can change after an EOI is submitted:
| Category | Official rule | Points |
|---|---|---|
| English | Proficient English, or Superior English | 10, or 20 |
| Partner | Partner applying for the same visa, under 45, with Competent English, a suitable skills assessment, and an occupation on the same list | 10 |
| Partner | Partner applying for the same visa with Competent English | 5 |
| Partner | Single, or partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Professional Year | Completed in Australia in the 4 years before invitation, in Accounting, ICT or Engineering, through the Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Public Accountants or Engineers Australia | 5 |
| Credentialled community language | A community language credential from NAATI, the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters | 5 |
| Study in regional Australia | A qualification meeting the Australian study requirement, gained while living and studying in a designated regional area, not by distance | 5 |
| Specialist education | A Masters by research or Doctorate from an Australian institution in a listed STEM field, with at least 2 academic years of study | 10 |
Work experience and qualifications also add points as they build up. Age points change at 25, 33 and 40: they rise from 25 to 30 at age 25, then fall to 25 at 33 and to 15 at 40. How each category is counted is in the Australian PR points test, explained.
When is the next invitation round?
For the 189, Home Affairs' notice of 1 October 2026 says the next round is expected by 31 October 2026. It asks people to keep their EOI up to date and accurate. After each round, Home Affairs publishes the lowest points score invited for the 189 and the 491 Family Sponsored stream.
If an invitation arrives, the steps that follow are in invited in SkillSelect: what happens next.
Frequently asked questions
Why has my EOI not been invited?
Home Affairs doesn't give reasons for individual EOIs. For the 189 it ranks EOIs by points, then date of effect, within occupation ceilings. For the 190 and 491, an invitation follows a state nomination.
Does updating my EOI change my date of effect?
The date of effect is the time and date the EOI reached its current score for that subclass, so a change in score gives a new date of effect.
Do occupation ceilings apply to the 190?
No. Home Affairs says ceilings don't apply to the 190 or to the State or Territory Nominated 491.
How long does an EOI last?
2 years from submission. After that, it is archived.
Can Home Affairs tell me where my EOI ranks?
No. Home Affairs says it can't notify people of an EOI's progress or whether it may be invited.
Settledin shows published SkillSelect EOI data for each occupation, by visa, points and status. See historic EOI data, now in Settledin.
Explore EOI data for your occupation
This article describes published Department of Home Affairs information, checked on 5 October 2026. It is general information, not migration advice. For advice on your situation, speak to a registered migration agent. Check the register.