Occupation ceilingOccupation ceiling for ICT Business and Systems Analysts (ANZSCO 2611) has been reached and no further invitations will be issued for this occupation for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and Skilled Regional provisional (subclass 489) until the next financial year.As there are still high levels of interest from prospective skilled migrants in the following occupations, pro rata arrangements for these occupational groups will continue: Accountants Software and Applications ProgrammersDetails of the cut-offs for these occupations will continue to be included in the regular invitation round reports. About SkillSelect Expression of interest Invitation rounds Occupation ceilings Help and supportThe following information will guide you through the process for submitting an Expression of Interest.Expand headingsExpandedSubmitting an EOIIf you have researched your visa options and prepared the information required, you are ready to make an EOI. All EOIs must be completed online using SkillSelect. There is no fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect.For the points based skilled migration programs, such as the independent skilled program, you will be ranked according to your score on the appropriate points test. You will be able to complete an EOI even if you do not meet the pass mark, however, you will not be eligible to be invited to apply for a visa.When you submit your EOI, you will be shown your points score but will not be able to view your ranking position. This is because your ranking will change as people enter and leave SkillSelect.For information about how to calculate the points test for skilled migration, visit the points test webpage of the relevant visa subclass page.Visit theSkilled Occupations Listspage to see if your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Consolidated Occupation List (CSOL). If you are intending to apply for a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa or Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa, you will need an occupation on the current SOL. For all state and territory nominated visa subclasses, Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas and Temporary Work (subclass 457) visas you will need an occupation on the CSOL.Once you have completed your EOI, it is stored in SkillSelect and is valid for two years.Incomplete EOIs will also be stored for two years, but will not be eligible to receive an invitation. EOIs that do not comply with the terms and conditions of SkillSelect can be removed at any time. You will be asked to read and agree to the terms and conditions when you register for a SkillSelect account.ExpandedEOIs submitted in SkillSelectOnce you submit your completed EOI, you will receive a confirmation notification from SkillSelect. Your EOI will then remain in SkillSelect for a maximum of two years. SkillSelect will calculate your points, assess your eligibility and will provide feedback when you submit for points tested and business innovation visas. You will be able to view a report to see where you were awarded points after you submit your EOI.You can also access your EOI and update your information at any time. You might want to do this if you have gained new work experience, gained a higher qualification, improved your English language ability and/or changed your family composition. If you provide updated information which changes your points score or your ability to make a complete EOI, SkillSelect will update your ranking and ability to be considered for an invitation automatically. Be aware if you are invited to apply for a visa, the information you submit in the EOI will be used as part of your application. If you provide incorrect, false or misleading information on your EOI, your application might be refused. It is your responsibility to access your EOI and update your details if your circumstances change.It is your responsibility to update your EOI. It will be too late to update your EOI if you receive an invitation to lodge a visa application. Your invitation to lodge a visa is based only on the information presented in your EOI.ExpandedHelpful information when completing an EOIWhen you complete an EOI in SkillSelect each question has help text available. To access the help text, click on the question mark icon next to the question. If you require further information, visit theSkillSelect Technical Supportsite. This site also includes a contact form for additional assistance if required.If you receive an invitation to apply, and your score under the points test is less than claimed in your EOI, your visa might be refused even if you are able to pass the points test or meet other threshold criteria. If you receive an invitation and your points have decreased or your personal information is not accurate, you do not have to proceed to make an application. You should correct the information in your EOI and wait to receive another invitation.If you receive two invitations and you do not lodge a visa application in response to either of these invitations, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect. If you are unable to access your EOI for a length of time, then you can choose to suspend your EOI. While this will not extend the validity of your EOI it will stop you receiving invitations or contacts that you cannot act on, and will avoid your EOI being removed while you are, for example, on holiday and have received two invitations during that time.If you receive an invitation to lodge a visa application for a permanent or provisional visa and are subsequently granted that visa, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect. If you are granted a temporary visa, such as the Subclass 457 Temporary Business (Long-Stay) visa, your EOI will still remain in SkillSelect for future selection unless you withdraw your EOI.Note:There can only be one invitation on an EOI at any time even if more than one visa subclass has been selected. For example if you have a current invitation to apply for a subclass 190 visa you cannot receive an invitation to apply for a subclass 189 visa. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the questions on the EOI form. If you are unsure about a question, read all available help text to ensure that you answer the questions as accurately as possible.You must be able to support the claims you make in your EOI with documentation and have this documentation ready to provide when making your application. An invitation to make a visa application might be issued within a short timeframe after you submit your EOI. You will have 60 days from the date of invitation to make a valid visa application.ExpandedInvitation and selection processDepending on what type of visa(s) you are interested in, you might receive an invitation to lodge a visa application or an Australian employer might contact you to discuss employment and sponsorship opportunities.ExpandedIndependent and Skilled Regional (Provisional) visasInvitations are issued automatically by the SkillSelect system to the highest ranking EOIs, subject to occupation ceilings. Invitations are issued regularly, such as every month.ExpandedState and territory sponsored visasState or territory governments will identify and select skilled workers that they wish to nominate. State and territory governments might assess people before they nominate them. If you are nominated by a state or territory government and you have indicated that your points score is above the current pass mark for that visa, you will receive an invitation to apply from the SkillSelect system. When you complete an EOI that includes one of these visa types, you will be asked which state or territory you wish to seek nomination from. You will be able to select one state or territory, or any state or territory. If you select one state or territory only, then staff from that government body will be able to view your EOI for this visa type. If you select any state or territory, staff from all state or territory governments will be able to see your EOI for this visa type.ExpandedBusiness Innovation and Investment visasState or territory governments will identify and select skilled business people or investors they mightwant to nominate. State or territory governments might assess people to meet their needs before they nominate them. If you are nominated by a state or territory government and you have indicated that your points score is above the current pass mark, you will receive an invitation to apply from the SkillSelect system.On a limited basis, sponsoring state or territory governments might award additional points towards the points test where they have determined that your proposed business is of exceptional economic benefit to that state or territory. When you complete an EOI that includes one of these visa types, you will be asked which state or territory you wish to seek nomination from. You will be able to select one state or territory, or any state or territory. If you select one state or territory only, then staff from that government body will be able to view your EOI for this visa type. If you select any state or territory, staff from all state or territory governments will be able to see your EOI for this visa type.It is your responsibility to contact the state or territory government from who you are seeking nomination to discuss their processes and requirements.Important:There will be atemporary suspension of nominations for the Significant Investor visa (SIV) programmefrom 24 April 2015 to 30 June 2015.ExpandedEmployer sponsored visa programmesEmployers can search for skilled workers that they might want to discuss job opportunities with. If you are contacted by an employer in SkillSelect, you can choose to contact them to discuss employment and visa opportunities. You do not need to receive an invitation from SkillSelect in order to apply for an employer sponsored visa.When you complete an EOI that includes one of these visa types, you will be asked which state or territory you are interested in working and residing in. You will be able to select one or more state or territories, or any state or territory. Employers will be able to view your EOI and will be able to narrow their searches to specifically focus on skilled workers interested in their area. SkillSelect protects your personal information such as your name, date of birth and other characteristics that could personally identify you. This information will not be made available to employers.ExpandedOccupation ceilingsAn 'occupation ceiling' might be applied to invitations issued under the independent, skilled regional (provisional) visas. This means there will be a limit on how many EOIs can be selected for skilled migration from an occupation group. This ensures that the skilled migration programme is not dominated by a small number of occupations. Once this limit is reached, no further invitations for that particular occupation group will be issued for that programme year. Invitations will then be allocated to intending migrants in other occupation groups even if they are lower ranking. See 'occupation ceilings' tab on this page.ExpandedIf you are invited or selectedIf you are invited to apply for a visa you will receive an invitation from SkillSelect. You will then have 60 days from the date of invitation to make a valid visa application online before the invitation expires.Applications received outside of this timeframe will not be valid and you will need to wait for a further invitation before being eligible to make an application. The online visa application system will use information from your EOI, therefore you do not need to re-enter some information already provided.You must provide evidence to support your claims with your visa application. Health and character requirements will be assessed and requested during the visa application stage.For assistance in lodging a visa application please see the specific visa subclass page.Please be aware if you do not make a valid visa application after receiving two invitations, your EOI will be removed from SkillSelect.ExpandedIf you are not invited or selectedMany more people want to migrate to Australia than there are places available. This means not everyone who completes an EOI will receive an invitation to apply for a visa. Your EOI will stay in SkillSelect for a maximum of two years. At any time during the validity of your EOI, you can update your details to reflect any additional qualifications or experience you might have obtained. This might increase your likelihood of being invited or an employer contacting you. You might receive notifications from SkillSelect during this time to notify you of visa program changes, the expiration of your EOI, or other information that you might find useful. You will not be notified of the progress of your EOI or be able to obtain any updates on the likelihood of receiving an invitation. After each invitation round for the independent and skilled regional (provisional) sponsored visas, the Department will publish on the SkillSelect website the lowest points scoring points test mark that allowed an EOI to be invited. This will give you an indication of your potential for receiving an invitation in future rounds.An EOI is not a visa application. You cannot access merits review by the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT). If you want to express concerns to the department about the invitation process, contact us throughClient feedback.ExpandedBridging visasAn EOI is not a visa application and you will not be granted a Bridging visa by submitting an EOI. Your eligibility for a Bridging visa would only be considered once a valid visa application is lodged.If you are in Australia and the visa you hold is about to expire before you are invited and able to apply for a skilled visa, you will need to apply for another visa to remain in Australia. If you do not meet the requirements for the grant of another visa, you will need to depart Australia before your visa expires.ExpandedUsing a migration agentYou do not need to use a migration agent to submit an EOI. However, if you choose to use an agent, the department recommends that you use a registered migration agent. It is important to note that you will only have one login to access your EOI account. You can only specify one email address to be contacted by SkillSelect about any invitations or messages in relation to your EOI account. All email notifications will be sent to the email address you nominate and it will be your responsibility to ensure you can access your emails and update your account with any change of email address.Under Australian law, anyone who uses knowledge of migration procedures to offer immigration assistance to a person wishing to obtain a visa to enter or remain in Australia must be registered or exempt from registration.All registered migration agents are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct, which requires agents to act professionally in their clients' lawful best interests. A list of registered migration agents is available from theOffice of the Migration Agents Registration Authority(Office of the MARA) websiteYou can contact theOffice of the MARAby email, post or in person.Email:info@mara.gov.auBy post:PO Box Q1551QVB NSW 1230AustraliaIn person:Level 10111 Elizabeth StreetSydney NSWAustraliaOffice hours are 9am 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)Telephone:1300 226 272or+61 2 9078 3552Fax: +61 2 9078 3591The Office of the MARA investigates complaints against registered migration agents and might take disciplinary action against them. If you have a concern about a registered migration agent, you should contact the Office of the MARA. The Code of Conduct and complaint form are available from the Office of the MARA website.03109718323 aur id card 3330320688225