Sydney-based migration consultancy RACC has published an updated “Expression of Interest (EOI) Checklist” for skilled-migration hopefuls eyeing Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas. Released on 20 February 2026 after Home Affairs’ latest SkillSelect data dump, the guide walks candidates through evidence requirements, common pitfalls and the new automated duplication checks introduced in January.
While the checklist is not an official government document, it has been widely shared in migrant forums because 42 percent of EOIs lodged in December-January were returned with a ‘Request for Further Information’, delaying invitations. RACC’s guide stresses that applicants must hold a valid skills assessment *before* lodging, ensure English-test and passport validity extends at least five days beyond submission, and accurately calculate points for regional study.
![New SkillSelect checklist aims to cut errors in Australian skilled-migration EOIs]()
VisaHQ can also help applicants stay on top of these details: its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers a smart document tracker, expiry-date alerts and step-by-step guidance that dovetails neatly with RACC’s checklist, giving candidates an extra layer of confidence before they hit “submit.”
For employers using the independent skilled-migration programme to fill technical vacancies, cleaner EOIs translate to faster nomination timeframes and reduced risk of quota wastage before 30 June. State migration teams in South Australia and Tasmania say incomplete EOIs are the single biggest drag on their processing KPIs.
Although essentially a best-practice tool, the checklist signals growing professionalisation of the migration-advice sector as competition for a shrinking 20,350 state-nomination places intensifies.
While the checklist is not an official government document, it has been widely shared in migrant forums because 42 percent of EOIs lodged in December-January were returned with a ‘Request for Further Information’, delaying invitations. RACC’s guide stresses that applicants must hold a valid skills assessment *before* lodging, ensure English-test and passport validity extends at least five days beyond submission, and accurately calculate points for regional study.
VisaHQ can also help applicants stay on top of these details: its Australia portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers a smart document tracker, expiry-date alerts and step-by-step guidance that dovetails neatly with RACC’s checklist, giving candidates an extra layer of confidence before they hit “submit.”
For employers using the independent skilled-migration programme to fill technical vacancies, cleaner EOIs translate to faster nomination timeframes and reduced risk of quota wastage before 30 June. State migration teams in South Australia and Tasmania say incomplete EOIs are the single biggest drag on their processing KPIs.
Although essentially a best-practice tool, the checklist signals growing professionalisation of the migration-advice sector as competition for a shrinking 20,350 state-nomination places intensifies.
