How To Lodge A Strong EOI In 2025 Step-By-Step Guide
📌 Published by Nationwide Migration & Education
👩💼 Led by Registered Migration Agent Suman Dua (MARN: 1800859)
If your Expression of Interest keeps sitting there with no invitation, it’s usually not bad luck—it’s avoidable mistakes and weak strategy.
In this video, I’ll show you how to strengthen your EOI, avoid the classic errors, and use state ROIs the right way.
My name is Suman Dua, I’m a registered migration agent at Nationwide Migration and Education. My team of highly-experienced registered migration professionals helps applicants with EOIs, ROIs, state nominations, and complex cases every day.
If you want tailored help, you can book a consultation with us—the link is in the description.
🧠 WHAT AN EOI IS (AND ISN’T)
An Expression of Interest in SkillSelect is not a visa application. It’s your formal pitch to the Department and the states: your occupation, English, points, work history, eligibility.
If your EOI is incomplete, overstated, or poorly targeted, you reduce your chances of being invited—even with strong points.
🌏 OFFSHORE VS ONSHORE—THE BIG PICTURE
Onshore and offshore applicants are treated differently:
Offshore applicants often have more pathways because multiple states accept offshore EOIs/ROIs.
Offshore candidates are often prioritised if they show strong, current employment in their nominated occupation—this is critical.
Onshore applicants are usually tied to their state of residence. Many programs require you to live, work, or study there. Only a few states accept interstate applicants.
So offshore candidates can spread their chances across states, while onshore candidates need to go deep and align tightly with one state’s rules.
📝 ROI—WHY YOUR EOI ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH
Many states now use Registration of Interest (ROI) as a mandatory pre-step. Without lodging an ROI, your EOI often won’t be seen.
The right strategy is:
Lodge a complete EOI in SkillSelect
File state-specific ROIs where you clearly meet their criteria.
🧱 FOUNDATION FIRST—BEFORE YOU CLICK “SUBMIT”
Skills Assessment: Must match your claimed occupation. Expired or mismatched assessments are a deal breaker.
English Test: Use valid, current scores. Expired results = no points.
Points Audit: Double-check everything—age, work, partner skills, education, NAATI, Professional Year. Overclaiming kills credibility.
Work Evidence: Back duties with employer letters, contracts, payslips, tax records.
At Nationwide Migration we strongly believe in getting your employment assessed from your skills assessing body before claiming any employment points.
Dates & Timelines: Ensure study, employment, and assessment dates line up cleanly.
🎯 STATE STRATEGY—HOW TO TARGET SMARTLY
Read each criterion carefully—years of experience, minimum salary, regional requirements, job offers.
For offshore candidates: Pick 2–3 states you genuinely meet instead of lodging scattergun ROIs everywhere.
Tailor each ROI—highlight what each state values most.
Don’t ignore regional options—491 regional nominations are often more accessible if you show adaptability to live and work regionally.
❌ COMMON MISTAKES THAT COST INVITATIONS
This is where most EOIs fail—not on points, but on avoidable errors.
1. Overclaiming or Miscalculating Points
Claiming experience before your “skilled date.”
Counting partner points without valid evidence.
Claiming work experience which is not relevant to your nominated occupation.
2. Skills Assessment Mismatches
Lodging under the wrong ANZSCO code.
Using expired assessments.
3. Ignoring ROI Requirements
Thinking EOI alone is enough.
Forgetting to lodge a ROI, so your profile never gets considered.
4. Expired or Invalid Evidence
IELTS/PTE expired before invitation.
Assessments outside validity periods.
Degrees not recognised as equivalent.
5. Wrong State or Wrong Stream
Applying where you clearly don’t meet criteria.
Ignoring fine print like “regional residence required.”
6. Not Updating EOIs
Forgetting to adjust when points change.
Letting expired English sit in your profile.
✅ Each of these mistakes can cost you an invitation—even if you have high points.
🤝 HOW WE CAN HELP
At Nationwide Migration and Education, we build EOIs and ROIs that are consistent, evidence-backed, and state-ready.
Our team of highly experienced registered migration agents will:
Audit your points
Align your evidence to ANZSCO
Prepare targeted ROIs for the best-fit states
Whether you’re offshore or onshore, we can help you put forward your strongest case.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
❓How long does it take to get an invitation after lodging an EOI?
It depends on the occupation, your points, and the state’s current nomination process. Some applicants get invited within weeks, while others may wait months if demand is high.
❓Can I update my EOI after submitting?
Yes, and you should! Always update your EOI if your points increase, your visa status changes, or new evidence becomes available.
❓What if my occupation is not on many state lists?
You may need to explore alternate occupations (if qualified), complete further studies, or consider regional areas with lower thresholds like DAMA programs or SBO streams.
❓Can I claim experience without a skills assessment?
No. To claim skilled employment points, your experience must align with your skills assessment and be post-qualification, unless your assessing body states otherwise.
❓Do I need to lodge multiple ROIs?
Only for the states where you meet all criteria. Don’t lodge everywhere—target smartly and tailor your submissions.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
Remember: criteria change often, and no two cases are the same.
Use this blog as guidance only.
For personalised advice, book a consultation with us—we’d be happy to help you on your migration journey.
