What is SkillSelect Date of Effect for an Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

Subclass 189 and 491 Family Stream Nomination

SkillSelect uses Date of Effect to rank EOIs with equal points score. SkillSelect records the time and date you submitted your expression of interest. When you first submit your EOI, your date of effect is the date you submitted it.

Every time your points score changes, your date of effect is updated. For example, if you improve your English score after submitting your EOI, you can update SkillSelect to claim more points. Once you update your EOI, your date of effect will change to the time and your points score changed.

If everything else in two EOIs is exactly alike, then the Date of Effect is used to rank applications. The older date is ranked higher than a newer date where the Date of Effect is used for ranking. But, if one EOI has higher points than the other, then there is no need for a Date of Effect, as the EOI with higher points will outrank the EOI will lower points.

Subclass 190 and 491 State Nomination

If you are seeking State nomination under the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visas, SkillSelect will show the date of effect to the States you are seeking nominations. However, states are not obliged to follow it when deciding whom to nominate.

Wherever a 190/491 invitation is offered on the basis of an EOI only (no ROI), it can be assumed that Date of Effect will be used to rank EOIs if all else is exactly alike. The exceptions are NSW and QLD who clearly state that they DO NOT use the Date of Effect at all in ranking applications.

Moreover, WA states that they go by Date of Submission which is the original date the EOI was submitted.