Expression of Interest (EOI)

What is EOI ?

Independent Skilled migration

SkillSelect will automatically issue invitations on a regular basis, with the first round of invitations likely to be issued in August 2012.  For intending migrants in the Independent skilled migration stream, invitations will be issued to the highest ranking EOIs in descending order, subject to occupation ceilings.  The date and time of submission of the completed EOI may be used to separate those who score equally in any given invitation round in order to ensure that the number of invitations issued matches the available program places and processing resources.  Departmental officers will not be involved in the invitation issue process.

Occupation ceilings are a limit on how many people are selected for points tested skilled migration from an occupation group.  This ensures that the migration program is not dominated by a narrow range of occupations.  The limit will be calculated and announced annually in the context of announcements on the size and composition of the next year’s Migration Program.  When this limit is reached, no further invitations for that particular occupation group will be issued for that program year.  In the event that an occupation ceiling is reached, invitations would then be allocated to other occupation groups even if they are lower scoring.

 

State and Territory Sponsored skilled migration

State and territory government representatives will search SkillSelect for intending migrants.  State or territory governments will be able to nominate intending migrants at any time using SkillSelect, subject to their State Migration Plan sponsorship limit.  Those nominated will receive an invitation through SkillSelect to apply for a visa.

 

Employer Sponsored migration

It will not be mandatory for intending migrants seeking to come to Australia under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) and Temporary Business 457 visa programs to use SkillSelect because Australian employers will retain the ability to identify and sponsor workers under the existing arrangements.  However, when submitting an EOI an intending migrant can express an interest in migrating under these programs which would then allow approved employers to view their details.  SkillSelect will serve as an online register to connect employers and intending skilled migrants interested in employer sponsorship and will facilitate contact to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Employers who identify people through their own selection processes will still be able to sponsor them as per current processes.

 

Visa application process

Prospective applicants who are invited to lodge a visa application will have 60 days to lodge that application using the department’s online application system.  Prospective applicants will access the department’s online application system through SkillSelect.  Visa processing will then follow the procedures in place at the time the application is lodged.

An EOI will remain active in SkillSelect for two years or until an intending migrant is either sponsored by an Australian employer or is granted a visa on the basis of an invitation and subsequent application (whichever occurs sooner).  Intending skilled migrants will be able to update their EOI at any time and have the option to renew their EOI after the two years.