SkillSelect

SkillSelect is the Australian Government's online system for managing the selection of candidates for points-tested skilled migration visas. It is operated by the Department of Home Affairs.

SkillSelect operates through two stages:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Potential applicants submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, declaring their personal details, occupation, points score, and the visa subclasses they are interested in. An EOI is not a visa application.
2. Invitation rounds: The Department of Home Affairs conducts periodic invitation rounds (typically monthly). In each round, the Department selects EOIs from the pool and issues invitations to apply for a visa to the highest-ranked applicants, up to the number of places available.

Ranking in SkillSelect is primarily by points score. Where multiple applicants have the same points score, the EOI lodgement date is used as a tiebreaker (earlier date ranks higher).

SkillSelect is the mechanism through which the requirement in s 101(b) of the Migration Act — that the applicant "has been invited, in accordance with the regulations, to make the application" — is satisfied.

Without a SkillSelect invitation, an applicant cannot satisfy the points test criterion under s 101 and cannot be granted a points-tested visa under s 65.

Key features of the SkillSelect system:

• EOIs remain valid for 2 years from lodgement
• Applicants can update their EOI at any time before receiving an invitation
• Updating an EOI (except to correct errors) may reset the lodgement date, affecting ranking
• State and territory governments can also access SkillSelect to identify candidates for state nomination (Subclass 190 and 491)
• Once invited, an applicant has 60 days to lodge the visa application

The points score used in SkillSelect rounds is the score at the time of the round, based on information in the EOI. The formal assessment of points under s 93 occurs after the visa application is lodged.