Points (highest first)
Applicants with more points are invited before those with fewer. 90 points beats 85 beats 80.
SkillSelect · Points Ranking · Invitation Rounds
You lodged your EOI. And nothing happened.
EOI strategy is handled by Gurjeev Bhalla and Sourabh Aggarwal across 189, 190, and 491. The SkillSelect pool ranks every EOI by points, then by date of lodgement. Strong candidates sometimes wait months without invitation. Here is why the system works this way and how to improve your position.
How ranking works
Four-factor priority.
EOIs are ranked using a specific hierarchy that many applicants misunderstand.
Date of effect (older first)
Within the same points tier, the EOI lodged earlier has priority. Older EOIs with the same points beat newer ones.
Occupation allocation
Each occupation has a capped allocation per round. Popular occupations exhaust allocation fast; niche occupations may invite lower points.
Visa subclass separation
189, 190, and 491 are separate pools. Each has its own ranking. An EOI for multiple visas sits in multiple pools.
Pro-rata occupations
Where competition is fiercest.
Pro-rata occupations have allocation caps that create high cut-offs.
High-volume IT occupationsSoftware Engineer, Developer Programmer, ICT Business Analyst. Often 95+ points needed for 189 invitation.
Accounting occupationsGeneral Accountant, Management Accountant. High-volume with competitive thresholds.
EngineersSome engineering occupations with high application volume face pro-rata caps.
Check current pro-rata listThe Department publishes the current pro-rata occupation list. Your occupation might be on it.
Improving your position
Three levers.
Beyond lodging and waiting, specific actions can move your profile up the ranking.
More points
The English test from proficient to superior often adds 10 points. Partner skills assessment adds 10. NAATI adds 5. Each move matters.
Consider 190 or 491
State nomination (5 points for 190, 15 for 491) can move candidates from uninvited to invited. See state nomination guide.
Update the EOI as changes happen
Turn 25 or 33? Get new test result? Finish Professional Year? Update immediately. Effective date changes but higher points usually worth it.
Strong candidates can wait a year or more without invitation.
An 85-point candidate in a pro-rata occupation may simply sit in the pool as higher-scored candidates are invited first. This is not a refusal or a problem with the application: it is how the ranking system works. Improvement strategy matters more than patience.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For EOI strategy, book with Gurjeev Bhalla.
How long can an EOI sit in the pool?
EOIs remain valid for 2 years. If no invitation in that time, fresh lodgement required.
Does losing points mean I should lodge a new EOI?
No. Update the existing EOI. Multiple EOIs for the same person can cause confusion.
Can I pay for priority EOI processing?
No. The EOI and invitation system does not have a priority pathway. Points alone drive ranking.
If my occupation is not pro-rata, am I safer?
Usually, but not always. Non-pro-rata occupations have allocations too. Check current invitation patterns.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.