About Skilled Visas
The subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas are Skill Select visas.
The Skill Select Process
The significant difference between the Skill Select visas and all others is that they can only be applied for by invitation, following the successful submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI).
There are minimum requirements that must be met to lodge an EOI relating to the applicant’s age, occupation (including having a Skills Assessment) and English language ability. There is no charge for lodging an EOI which is done on-line through Skill Select on the department’s website. EOI’s are initially valid for two years. They can be updated up until an invitation is offered or until the EOI lapses.
The Points Test
The Points Test for the subclass 189 (Points Tested Stream), 190, and 491 visas is set out in Points Table on Department of Home Affairs’ website.
Points are awarded on the basis of age, English language ability, work experience, educational qualifications, NAATI credentialed community language ability, and other factors. Points are calculated at the time of application, but potential applicants should have the evidence they intend to rely on to prove their Points Test Score when lodging their EOI.
If you have only 65 points (current pass mark) , you could lodge an EOI, but you will not likely be invited to apply for a visa. Invitations are extended to applicants with the highest ranked points score first. You must try and obtain as many points as you can before lodging an EOI.
Key points with regards to the Points Test: the minimum points score has been rising, there are occupational ceilings and minimum points scores for certain occupations, and there is no bridging visa for an expression of interest.
