Must my points score submitted during the EOI stage be accurate?
The points test is a means for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) to assess if one is eligible for an Australian visa. Points tested visas include:
- Skilled Independent visas (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190)
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visas (subclass 489)
To apply for these visas, the applicant has to register an Expression of Interest (EOI). At the EOI stage, the applicant must input their points score. Based on the applicant’s points score, nominated occupation and the applicant pool at the time of application, invitations to apply are issued.
Because invitations are issued based on the information provided in the applicant’s EOI, it is of utmost importance that it is accurate. The pass mark for points tested visa is 60 points.
If an applicant receives an invitation but at the application stage is assessed to have a score that is less than their indicated score on their EOI, they will be considered to have not met the visa criteria, even if the final assessed score is above the pass mark; an inaccurate EOI will almost certainly cause your visa application to be refused. This is because spots are highly contested and spaces are allocated to according to score then to time of application. This means that your spot would have rightfully belonged to another applicant. Read more about SkillSelect invitation rounds here to understand how places are allocated.
Until the time that you are invited to apply, you will always be able to revisit your EOI to keep it accurate, whether the adjustment to your points score is up or down. It is thus important to understand what points you can or cannot claim, and how to submit the appropriate evidence to support these claims. Learn more about the points test in the points test tab on this DIBP page.
