Interpreting the SkillSelect EOI Data: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the SkillSelect EOI data is crucial for anyone planning skilled migration to Australia. This data, provided through the SkillSelect system, reveals key insights into the number of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) that have been submitted, invited, lodged, or closed across various occupations and visa subclasses. For intending migrants, interpreting these EOI metrics accurately helps assess visa competition, track points score trends, and evaluate the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This article aims to help you analyze and make informed decisions using SkillSelect dashboard data, improving your overall migration strategy and planning.
What is the SkillSelect EOI data?
SkillSelect is developed by the Australian Government to manage applications for skilled migration through an online portal. When you file an EOI on SkillSelect, it is divided into pools ranked according to age, work experience, qualifications, and English language proficiency. The SkillSelect EOI data shows application status at the end of the month and is comprised of five statuses:
- SUBMITTED: EOI is initiated and pending invitation.
- INVITED: EOI has received an ITA (invitation to apply) for a visa, but the actual application hasn’t been filed yet.
- LODGED: Subsequent to receiving an invitation, application for the visa has been initiated
- CLOSED: The EOI is either granted the visa, refused, or rendered obsolete after two years.
- HOLD: The applicant has placed the EOI on hold and has the option to continue it at a later time.
As a reminder, SkillSelect EOI data is updated on a monthly basis and does not roll over. The data for each month reflects a specific point in time. You may analyze data from several months to observe the trends and changes in the migration ecosystem for that particular timeframe.
Navigating SkillSelect EOI Dashboard
The SkillSelect EOI Dashboard provides the functionality to narrow down the data by selecting different filters like occupation, visa subclass, points score, nominating state, and others. The only restriction the dashboard places, however, is that only two filters can be selected at a time. For instance, if you want to analyze how many EOIs have been submitted for a certain occupation at a particular points level, you can filter through occupation and points score. This data is essential for evaluating the prospective cross-border immigration competition and preparing necessary plans of action.
Interpreting Key Metrics
- Submitted EOIs: This figure reflects the number of potential migrants that are willing to submit applications for specific occupations and subclasses of visas. This paints a clear picture of the level of competition. A greater number of submitted EOIs indicates higher competition.
- Invited EOIs: This figure illustrates the count per visa subclass of how many applicants have been given invitations to apply for a visa. Studying this data helps to analyze the supply and demand for particular occupations and the chances of getting an invitation.
- Lodged Applications: This metric considers the count of visa applications that have been invited and subsequently lodged. It is very critical to understand that an EOI applies to several subclasses of a visa, which can result in data duplication.
- Closed EOIs: This number accounts for EOIs that may have been granted a visa, refused a visa, or left to lapse. This data can help to estimate the times of processing and the relative efficiency of the system.
Recognizing Limitations of The SkillSelect EOI Data
Although looking at the SkillSelect EOI data, one of the most useful features is the data itself, but it is important to note the following restrictions:
- Subclass Overlap: It is common for applicants to receive multiple prioritizations for subclasses in a single EOI. For example, an applicant can also select subclass 190. This seems to work in a two-step application process: An applicant gets an invitation for subclass 190 and applies for it. Then, for some time during the processing, both the subclasses will seem to be claimed, thus increasing the number.
- Family Size Consideration: The SkillSelect family unit data focuses mainly on primary applicants. The visa outspokenly has secondary applicants (over members of a family to migrate), which also shifts the figure.
The dashboard is updated on a monthly basis. This means that new data, trends, or patterns may not be instantly accessible, putting the overall accuracy of the information at risk.
Example of the entire SkillSelect EOI lifecycle—Mechanical Engineer (Subclass 189)
A general example of the entire SkillSelect EOI lifecycle is provided below based on a Mechanical Engineer’s application.
1. EOI Submission—12 February 2024
A mechanical engineer submits an EOI for subclass 189 with 90 points. SkillSelect displays an estimate of 650 participants for the 189 subcategory at that time, with a waiting period of under two years. As of 28 February 2024, the EOI is displayed as SUBMITTED in SkillSelect data.
2. Invitation Received—9 March 2024
The candidate gets an Invitation to Apply (ITA) on 09 March. They have a period of two months to submit the visa application. Reach 31 March 2024, and change the EOI status to INVITED (not yet lodged).
3. Visa Lodgement – April 21, 2024
After preparing the appropriate documentation, the applicant submits the subclass 189 visa on April 21. The EOI status as of April 30, 2024, will be updated to LODGED.
4. Processing Period – May to September 2024
In the following months, the EOI is marked under the assessment phase and remains in the LODGED status.
5. Proposed Visa Grant—October 18, 2024 (This is provided for example simplification.)
On October 18, the visa will be issued. Come October 31, 2024, the EOI will be labeled CLOSED in the SkillSelect system.
Primary Takeaways from the Data
EOI does monthly updates of every status based on the last day of that given month. Based on the outline, the transition of EOI goes like this: SUBMITTED → INVITED → LODGED → CLOSED.
Monthly statistics for EOI showcase a single view, not a compounded total. It’s crucial to take official references into consideration along with the stage of the application lifecycle when reviewing SkillSelect EOI data.
Conclusion
For those intending on migrating to Australia, monitoring the SkillSelect EOI data helps anticipate certain changes. Understanding and interpreting are vital to strategizing effectively. Recognizing trends and the dashboard’s limitations helps make calculated decisions and enhances the likelihood of an invitation.
Here at CDR Writers, we assist applicants in the EOI process by providing advice, choosing appropriate ANZSCO codes, and preparing critical documents such as CDR reports—ensuring the efficacy of your migration strategy.
Learn more about What is SkillSelect? How does it work?
FAQs
1. What is SkillSelect EOI data and why is it useful?
It’s an annual picture of a skilled migration profile that supports evaluation of competition in visas, trends in migration, as well as chances to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
2. How frequently is the data captured?
The data for EOI submissions is captured every month and the use cases are restricted till the last day of each month.
3. What is meant by EOI statuses?
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4. Is it possible to apply filters on the dashboard?
Yes, but only two filters can be applied simultaneously such as ‘occupation’ combined with ‘points score’.
5. What are some limitations associated with these datasets?
It may capture subclass overlaps, omit family members or display only one-month snapshots without showing continuous trend analysis.