Is there a fixed pass mark for skilled visas?

There is a published minimum, but meeting it does not guarantee an invitation because selection is competitive. Confirm the current minimum and how invitations are issued on the official SkillSelect information.

Do I need a job offer for a 189 visa?

The subclass 189 (skilled independent) does not require an employer or state sponsor. Other skilled visas, like the 190 or 491, involve state or regional nomination.

How long does an EOI last?

An EOI stays in the system for a set period and can be updated. The exact duration and rules can change, so check the current SkillSelect guidance.

Australia skilled visa points and EOI

Plain-language guide · Australia · general information

What the points test measures

Skilled visas like the 189, 190 and 491 use a points test. Points come from factors such as your age, English level, skilled work experience (in and outside Australia), qualifications, and extras like study in Australia, a partner's skills, or state nomination. You need to meet the minimum, but in practice you are competing against others, so more points means a better chance of being invited.

Start with the two gatekeepers

Before points matter, two things usually have to be in place: a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation, and an English test result. Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled list, and the assessing authority decides whether your qualifications and experience match that occupation.

Submitting an Expression of Interest

You do not apply for the visa directly. You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, stating your claimed points and occupation. If you are invited to apply, you then lodge the actual visa application and must prove every point you claimed. An EOI is not an application and does not guarantee an invitation.

Honest points, provable points

Only claim points you can evidence — assessed experience, a valid English result, verifiable qualifications. Overstating points can lead to a refusal at the application stage. If you are short, look at legitimate ways to add points over time: a higher English score, more assessed experience, or a state or regional nomination pathway.

Tip: your points can change with your birthday, your English result expiring, or a new job. Recalculate before you rely on an old number.

Common questions

Is there a fixed pass mark for skilled visas?: There is a published minimum, but meeting it does not guarantee an invitation because selection is competitive. Confirm the current minimum and how invitations are issued on the official SkillSelect information.
Do I need a job offer for a 189 visa?: The subclass 189 (skilled independent) does not require an employer or state sponsor. Other skilled visas, like the 190 or 491, involve state or regional nomination.
How long does an EOI last?: An EOI stays in the system for a set period and can be updated. The exact duration and rules can change, so check the current SkillSelect guidance.

Points depend on your exact profile. Tell the assistant your age, occupation and English level for a plain-language walkthrough.

This guide is general information about Australian skilled migration and is not immigration advice, nor a points assessment. Occupation lists, points and thresholds change; confirm current rules on the Department of Home Affairs and SkillSelect websites or with a registered migration agent.