What is EOI?
EOI - Expression of Interest.
An expression of interest (EOI) is a method of showing your interest in applying for a skilled visa to migrate to Australia. It is an online form in SkillSelect which asks a series of questions about your skills depending on the visa subclass you select.
Official web-site states:
If 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 the list of eligible skilled occupations page to see if your occupation is listed for the visa type you are applying for.
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.