SkillSelect EOI Data Decoded: What the 2026 Invitation Rounds Actually Tell You

Once you have lodged your Expression of Interest (EOI) into SkillSelect, it’s the waiting period that begins. There are thousands of skilled professionals in the pool but you need not be in the dark about it. The key to gaining clarity and a strategic advantage is by analyzing the official EOI SkillSelect Data released by the Department of Home Affairs. These reports, however, tend to be lengthy and full of tables and codes that may be hard to read.

This guide is not just about looking at the numbers, it will also help you learn how to read the numbers. We’ll explain what the invitation scores and round dates actually mean and how you can use them to predict your success and make waiting work more to your advantage for the 2026 migration year and beyond.

What is SkillSelect Data and How Does It Work?

SkillSelect Data consists of statistics published by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs that track Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the skilled migration program. The dataset shows:

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Number of invitations issued each round
Minimum points score for major occupations
Occupation ceilings
Average waiting times for invitations

SkillSelect serves as a central portal for managing Australia’s skilled visa program. After submitting an EOI that outlines age, education, language ability, and other factors, candidates are assigned a score and ranked for invitation.

Here are the core steps in the process:

Submit EOI: Applicants create a SkillSelect account, complete their details, and lodge the profile.
EOI Ranking: cases are ranked based on a points test that currently has a minimum threshold of 65 points.
[Learn more: Australia PR visa point calculator]
Invitation Rounds: Invitations are sent at regular intervals-usually every month or every two months.
SkillSelect Data Updates: New data is published after each invitation round, helping applicants monitor their chances.

Reviewing the latest SkillSelect data helps intending migrants to refine their application strategy, which enhances their score potential and increases their chances of receiving an invitation.

Minimum Points by Occupation : Latest SkillSelect Invitation Round (2025–26)

The table below reflects minimum invitation scores from the most recent SkillSelect rounds in the 2025–26 program year. Scores vary by occupation, visa subclass, and whether the occupation is Pro Rata or Non-Pro Rata. Update this table monthly after each invitation round.

Last updated: May 2026 – based on November 2025 and August 2025 invitation rounds.

Occupation Group	ANZSCO	189 Min Pts	190 Min Pts*	Pro Rata?
Software & IT Professionals	261313, 261312	90–95	75–85	Yes
Accountants & Auditors	221111, 221113	90–100	75–85	Yes
Engineers (Civil, Mech, Elec)	233211, 233512	85–95	75–80	Yes
Registered Nurses	254111	65–80	65–70	No
Electricians	341111	65	65	No
Carpenters & Joiners	331212	65	65	No
Plumbers	334111	65	65	No
Cooks & Chefs	351311	75–85	65–75	Yes
Secondary School Teachers	241411	75–85	65–75	Yes

Visa 190 points include the 5-point state nomination bonus already added to the total.

How to Use This Table

Find your occupation group and check the minimum points for your target visa.
If your score is at or above the minimum, you are in the competitive zone — but being just at the minimum does not guarantee an invitation. See the Date of Effect section below.
If your occupation is Pro Rata, aim for 10–15 points above the listed minimum to improve your chances.

SkillSelect Invitation Round Schedule 2025–2026

For the 2025–26 program year, the Department of Home Affairs moved to a quarterly invitation round schedule — a significant change from the previous monthly rounds. Invitations are now issued approximately every three months. While there are no fixed calendar dates announced in advance, the pattern from recent rounds gives a useful guide:

Round	Date Held	Subclasses
FY2025–26 Round 1	13 November 2025	189, 491 (Family Sponsored)
FY2025–26 Round 2	21 August 2025	189, 491 (Family Sponsored)
Next round (est.)	Feb–Mar 2026	189, 491

State and territory governments run their own separate nomination rounds (Visa 190 and 491 State Sponsored) on their own schedules, independent of the federal SkillSelect rounds.

What to Do Between Rounds

Between invitation rounds your EOI remains in the SkillSelect pool. No action is required, but this is the best time to strengthen your profile:

Improve your English test result to push into a higher points bracket
Gain additional skilled work experience and update your EOI immediately
Apply for state or territory nomination (Visa 190 or 491) — adds 5 to 15 points
Complete a higher qualification if it earns extra points under the points test

How to Know When the Next Round Is Coming

The Department does not announce invitation rounds in advance. To stay informed:

Subscribe to email updates at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Monitor the SkillSelect statistics page after each quarter
Follow registered migration agent blogs — rounds are typically reported within 24 hours

Eligibility Criteria to Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

But before you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, you should check that you meet a set of minimum eligibility rules. These rules are designed to deter low-skilled entrants and to protect the economic interests of Australia and its citizens by attracting skilled immigrants. There are some key requirements:

Age Limit: No more than 45 years old on the date you are invited.
Language Skill: You will need to provide proof of English ability evidenced by IELTS, PTE Academic or TOEFL, and you must have scored at least Competent.
Education: You must hold a qualification that matches the occupation on the Australian Skills Occupation list.
Experience: You have to provide evidence of the requisite number of years in related skilled employment to earn points.
Skills Assessment: your chosen occupation’s applicable authority must produce a favourable assessment.

Meeting these minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a visa; however, you will have access to the EOI pool and will be competing against others for your place to receive an invitation. Invites will go to the highest-ranked applicants first.

Skilled Worker Visa Options

The Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program has a range of visa subclasses that you can use via the SkillSelect system. The most appropriate choice for you will be based on your credentials, as well as your work experience and your long-term plans for migration. Here’s an outline of the most popular options for visas:

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): The permanent visa is granted exclusively on points. It does not require government or employer support and is therefore a great option for the most competitive applicants.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): Candidates require an invitation from an area or state and must satisfy any additional requirements that the jurisdiction of nomination stipulates.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa): with five years of validity, it requires the sponsorship of a state or family member who lives in a region that has been designated, and holders can later upgrade to a Subclass 191 permanently-issued visa.
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa): Awarded by an employer visa permits skilled workers to fill vacancies for a specified time frame while also gaining Australian knowledge.
Subclass 181 (Employer Nomination Scheme): Another option for permanent employment that requires an employer nomination, and is suitable for people with good work history as well as job stability.

Each visa comes with its own requirements, processes and benefits. A thorough study and, if necessary, professional assistance can help you select the most appropriate route to suit your particular situation.

EOI Application Process

Lodging an Expression of Interest marks the official starting line for a skilled visa invite. Follow these steps to submit yours:

Check Eligibility: Confirm that you satisfy all basic criteria.
Get Skills Assessment: Secure a positive report from the relevant assessing body, such as ACS or Engineers Australia.
Take English Test: Sit for a recognised exam and hold a valid score.
Create SkillSelect Account: Sign up on the official SkillSelect website.
Complete the EOI Form: Provide information about yourself, your academic qualifications, relevant work history, and the visa options you prefer.
Submit EOI: Once you hit submit, your details join the SkillSelect pool and remain accessible to the Department of Home Affairs.
Wait for Invitation: During each round, officials look at your points and occupation to see if you qualify for an invitation, so patience is key.

Sending an EOI is free, and you can lodge it under several visa classes, but dishonest answers could lead to a ban, making precise data critical.

Understanding the Post-EOI Submission Stage

Submitting your EOI initiates the waiting period, yet several tasks still deserve your attention.
What Happens Next:

Invitation to Apply (ITA): A strong score leads to an ITA for the visa category you selected, enabling the next steps.
Gather Final Documents: With the ITA in hand, assemble proof of police checks, health tests, and an up-to-date employment record.
Lodge Visa Application: You must file the complete application within 60 days, so time management is essential.
Await Visa Decision: The Department evaluates your submission, and the length of the review process differs from one visa subclass to another.

In the meantime, you can:

Improve your English score
Gain additional work experience
Pursue a nomination from a state/territory
Update your EOI with any new achievements

Australian EOI Validity

An Expression of Interest (EOI) remains active in the SkillSelect system for two years from the date of submission. If you do not receive an invitation within this period, the EOI will expire and must be resubmitted.
Key Notes:

You can update your EOI at any time during the two-year validity.
There’s no limit to the number of EOIs you can submit.
Receiving an invitation resets the process; you’ll need to lodge a visa application separately.

How to Check EOI Data

The Department of Home Affairs publishes EOI SkillSelect Data monthly. This data includes:

Number of invitations issued in the latest round.
Minimum points required for different trade and professional occupations.
Occupation ceilings and demand levels.

You can check this data by visiting the official SkillSelect statistics page or third-party platforms that analyse this information.

How Do You Read EOI Data in SkillSelect to Predict Your Invitation Timeline?

You guess it by comparing your points score and time to submit an EOI with the last person invited in your occupation in recent rounds.

Although there is no “queue number” for your application, you can estimate your place in time by being a sleuth. To do this, you need to identify two pieces of information about your occupation for the most recent round of invitations:

Minimum Points Score Cut-off: Check the minimum score invited. If the last accountant invited had 100 points and you have 95, you can bet you are not at the head of the pack.
The “Date of Effect”: The tie-breaker. If someone else has the same number of points as you (say, 100 points) then the accountant who put their hand up first will be invited first. The “Date of Effect” will be the date of the last person who was invited at that score.

Example:

The most recent round invited Accountants (2211) with 100 points.
The “Date of Effect” is 15-Jan-2024.
You are 100 points but you lodged your EOI on 30-Jan-2024.

Your Prediction: You can predict that you are next in line. Your chances of being invited are high, in the next round, once they have invited all the other January 100-point applicants. This is an approximate value, not an absolute certainty, but it is the best way to predict.

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What Does the Latest SkillSelect EOI Data Show About Visa Invitation Scores?

This demonstrates that invitation scores are still high, especially for competitive Pro Rata occupations, needing more than the minimum points.

By examining the most recent data, it is possible to identify some important trends that all candidates should be aware of. The minimum 65 points is not sufficient to get an invitation for the majority of occupations.

Here’s what the recent data reveals:

High Points are King: For popular independent visas (such as the 189) the scores of those invited are often in the 90-100+ range.
Pro Rata Jobs are Super-Competitive: “Popular” jobs like IT, Engineering and Accounting receive their invitations distributed throughout the year (“Pro Rata”). The pool is so competitive that you need a very high score.
State Nomination is Key: You can see from the data that those with lower points (75-85 points) are successful if they are nominated by a State or Territory (visa 190 or 491). This is because the nomination itself adds 5 or 15 points to their total.

Therefore, the latest data confirms that a passive “lodge and wait” strategy is no longer effective. Applicants must actively pursue the highest possible points score.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I increase my EOI score for Australia?
Boost your EOI score by lifting your English assessment, documenting extra years of skilled work, completing an advanced qualification, and exploring state nomination or partner points. Each adjustment raises your tally in SkillSelect and enhances the odds of a timely visa invitation.

2. How many EOI can I submit for Australia?
The Australian immigration system does not set a formal cap on the number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) you can lodge. Yet, each submission must be thorough, truthful, and self-contained. You are free to file a separate EOI under different skilled occupations or visa classes, provided that the details in one application do not contradict those in another.

3. How do I write a good EOI for Australian skilled migration?
A good EOI must:

Accurately reflect your skills, education, and work experience
Be consistent with your documents and claims
Include a high English score and up-to-date personal information
Target in-demand occupations as seen in the SkillSelect data
Remember, misleading or incomplete EOIs can lead to refusal or a ban.

4. Can I update my EOI after submission?
Yes. You can log in to your SkillSelect account and update your EOI at any time before receiving an invitation. You can edit:

English test scores
Work experience
Qualifications
Personal details
Keep your EOI updated to reflect your latest eligibility and to stay competitive.

5. What does “EOI status: Submitted” mean?
“EOI Status: Submitted” means your Expression of Interest has been successfully submitted to the SkillSelect pool. It is now visible to Australian immigration authorities and state/territory governments for possible invitation selection based on SkillSelect data.

6. Is IELTS or PTE required for submitting an EOI?
Yes. A valid English language test result (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.) is mandatory to claim points for English proficiency in your EOI. Without it, you won’t be eligible to claim those points, and your total score will be lower.

7. Is there a fee to submit an EOI? Is the EOI refundable?
No. Submitting an EOI through SkillSelect is completely free of charge. Since there’s no payment involved, the question of refunds does not apply. However, you will incur fees once you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) and proceed with your visa application.

8. How can I check the status of my EOI or visa invitation?
You can check the status of your EOI by logging into your SkillSelect account. Here you can view:

EOI status (e.g., Submitted, Invited)
Submission date
Points score

To track your visa status after submitting your application, use ImmiAccount on the Australian immigration website.

9. How do I complete or finish my EOI application?
To complete your Expression of Interest (EOI), follow these steps:

Create an account on SkillSelect.
Fill in all required fields, including skills, education, work history, and English test results.
Review your entries carefully, checking for typos or missing details.
Submit the EOI.

Be sure every piece of information is accurate and matches your supporting documents, because immigration officials will use that data to decide when to invite you for a visa.

10. What is the minimum points score for a 189 visa in 2026?
The minimum to apply is 65, but actual invitations for professional roles require 90-100+ points. Some trades may be invited at 65.

11. What is a Pro Rata occupation?
The professions here have a limit (cap) of invitations annually. No more invitation would be issued once the cap is exhausted till next year; hence jobs like IT, accounting are well sought after.

12. When is the next SkillSelect invitation round in 2026?
Rounds are held quarterly. The next is expected around February or March 2026, but dates are not announced in advance.

13. What is the difference between a 189 and 190 visa?

Subclass 189: No state nomination needed, requires higher points, live anywhere in Australia.
Subclass 190: Requires state nomination, adds +5 points, has a lower points requirement, and you must live in the nominating state for two years.

14. How often is the SkillSelect data updated?
Data is updated after each quarterly invitation round.