EOI vs ROI for State Nomination, State by State
Last Updated: 28 October 2026
An EOI is the profile you lodge in SkillSelect. An ROI is a separate registration that some states run before they invite you. Western Australia and New South Wales pick directly from EOIs. Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and onshore South Australia need an ROI. The Northern Territory takes a direct application, and the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix.
Key takeaways
An EOI always comes first. No state replaces it with an ROI.
The EOI goes to Home Affairs. The ROI, Matrix or application goes to the state.
"Open" means different things in different states. See what open means.
SkillSelect never opens or closes. You can lodge or update an EOI at any time, and you can test your points with the skilled migration points calculator.
On this page
What is the difference between an EOI vs ROI?
An EOI (Expression of Interest) is the profile you lodge with the Department of Home Affairs in SkillSelect. It records your points, occupation, visa subclass (190 or 491) and the state you want nomination from. It is not a visa application.
An ROI (Registration of Interest) is a registration you lodge with a state or territory government, through that state's own portal. Each state sets its own rules, and most ask for your EOI number.
Think of the EOI as the national step and the ROI as the state step.
Feature | EOI | ROI |
Lodged with | Home Affairs, in SkillSelect | A state or territory government, in its own portal |
Needed in every state | Yes | No, only in some states |
Is it a visa application | No | No |
Can you lodge it at any time | Yes | Only while the state is taking registrations |
What does "open" mean for state nomination?
"Open" is not one thing. It can mean three different things, depending on the state.
ROI intake is open. The state is accepting registrations. This applies to Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and onshore South Australia.
The state is inviting from EOIs. There is nothing to open. The state holds invitation rounds and picks from the EOIs already in SkillSelect. This applies to Western Australia, New South Wales and offshore South Australia.
Applications are open. The state takes direct applications in set windows. This applies to the Northern Territory.
You can lodge or update your EOI in SkillSelect at any time. When a state says it is "open", it never means the EOI.
Which states need an ROI? Comparison of all 8 states
Six of the eight states ask for something from you beyond the EOI. Only Western Australia and New South Wales invite every applicant straight from SkillSelect, and South Australia does so for offshore applicants. For occupation lists and allocations by state, use the state and regional sponsor hub.
State | ROI needed? | What "open" means | Does the state pick your EOI directly? | Official source |
No | No ROI window. WA invites in rounds, and you can lodge or update an EOI at any time | Yes | ||
No | No ROI window. NSW runs invitation rounds through the year with no announced dates | Yes. You cannot apply to NSW directly | ||
Yes, after your EOI | The ROI intake on the Live in Melbourne portal is accepting registrations | No. Victoria selects from ROIs | ||
Onshore: yes. Offshore: no | Onshore: the ROI intake in the Apply Portal. Offshore: invitation rounds through the year | Offshore: yes. Onshore: from ROIs | ||
Yes, a new ROI each program year | The ROI intake for the program year | No. Queensland selects from ROIs at its discretion | ||
Yes | The ROI intake in the Application Gateway, which closes at the end of the program year and resumes with the next | No. Tasmania ranks ROIs into Gold, Green, Orange and Red passes | ||
No ROI. Direct application | The window for applications in the NT online system | No. You apply to the NT, and an EOI is required first | ||
No ROI. Canberra Matrix | No window is stated. The ACT ranks Matrix entries and invites those ranked high enough | No. The ACT ranks Matrix entries after a valid EOI |
Some agent websites list the ACT and the Northern Territory as ROI states. The official ACT and NT pages describe the Canberra Matrix and a direct application instead, so this table follows the official wording.
Graduate, job-offer and overseas pathways can differ inside a state. Check the state's page for your pathway before you act.
How does state nomination work in each type of state?
Every route starts with a skills assessment and a SkillSelect EOI. Check that your occupation is on the state's list first, using the skilled occupation list or the occupation lists. Every route ends with a Home Affairs invitation to apply for the visa. The middle step is where states differ.
Type 1: the state picks from EOIs (WA, NSW, offshore SA)
Get a skills assessment for an occupation on the state's list.
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and select the state.
Wait for the state's invitation round.
Lodge the nomination application before the deadline in your invitation.
After nomination, Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa. WA, Queensland and Tasmania give 60 days to lodge it.
Type 2: you register first (Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, onshore SA, ACT)
Get a skills assessment for an occupation on the state's list.
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and select the state.
Submit the state's ROI using your EOI number. The ACT uses the Canberra Matrix instead.
Wait while the state ranks and selects. Tasmania holds an ROI for six months if it is not invited.
Lodge the nomination application before the deadline. Queensland allows 14 calendar days and Tasmania 28 days.
After nomination, Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa.
Type 3: you apply to the state directly (Northern Territory)
Get a skills assessment for an occupation on the NT list.
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect.
Apply in the NT Government online system with your CV, qualifications and a letter of commitment to live and work in the NT for at least three years.
If the NT nominates you, Home Affairs invites you to apply for the visa. The NT does not select candidates from SkillSelect.
State-by-state summary and where to check the live status
Each summary links to RACC's page for that state, which carries the current round, intake and allocation news.
How does Western Australia state nomination work?
Western Australia has no ROI and no open or close period for EOIs. It invites from SkillSelect EOIs in rounds. After an invitation you have 28 calendar days to lodge, and the application fee is $200.
See RACC's Western Australia state nomination page for the latest round results.
How does New South Wales state nomination work?
NSW has no ROI, and it states you cannot apply to NSW directly. You lodge an EOI that seeks NSW nomination, and NSW invites at its discretion. Rounds run through the year with no announced dates, an invitation is valid for 14 days, and your EOI submission date does not affect your chances.
See RACC's NSW skilled migration program breakdown.
How does Victoria state nomination work?
Victoria asks for an EOI first, then an ROI on the Live in Melbourne portal using your EOI number. For 2026-27 Victoria lists 900 nomination places for subclass 190. As at 26 October 2026 its page showed 190 ROIs open and 491 ROIs not being accepted.
See RACC's Victoria 2026-27 skilled visa nomination program for current ROI news.
How does South Australia state nomination work?
Offshore applicants lodge an EOI only. Onshore applicants also submit an ROI through the Apply Portal with their EOI ID, and there is no ROI fee. A "not invited" decision blocks a new application for three months.
See RACC's South Australia 2026-27 program update.
How does Queensland state nomination work?
Queensland asks for a new ROI each program year, and you need an EOI number to submit it. It considers EOIs up to 715 days old and selects throughout the year at its discretion. Invited applicants have 14 calendar days to upload documents and pay the fee.
See RACC's Queensland state and regional sponsor page.
How does Tasmania state nomination work?
Tasmania asks for a free ROI in its Application Gateway, and your EOI must list Tasmania. The Gateway ranks candidates into Gold, Green, Orange and Red passes. An ROI that is not invited within six months expires, and ROIs close at the end of each program year.
See RACC's Tasmania invitation round page.
How does Northern Territory nomination work?
The NT takes a direct application in its online system. You must have an EOI in SkillSelect first, but the NT does not select candidates from SkillSelect. The NT page on how to apply was last updated in 2023, so confirm the current application window with the NT before you apply.
See RACC's NT nomination applications update.
How does ACT state nomination work?
The ACT needs a valid EOI first. You then complete the Canberra Matrix, which scores your potential contribution, including residence length, occupation, English and study. The ACT ranks entries by residency, occupation and points, and invites those ranked high enough. It published 800 places each for subclass 190 and 491 in 2025-26.
See RACC's ACT invitation round and Matrix score update.
What do applicants commonly get wrong about EOI and ROI?
Myth | Reality |
An ROI replaces the EOI | The EOI comes first in every state. Tasmania states you cannot be nominated without an EOI that lists Tasmania |
"Open" means I can lodge my EOI | You can lodge an EOI at any time. "Open" refers to an ROI intake, invitation rounds or an application window |
Western Australia and NSW need an ROI | Neither does. Both invite from SkillSelect EOIs |
An ROI guarantees an invitation | States select at their discretion. Queensland offers nominations based on the places it has available |
My ROI carries over to next year | Queensland needs a new ROI each program year, and a Tasmanian ROI expires after six months without an invitation |
Which route applies to you?
You want WA or NSW: keep an accurate EOI in SkillSelect and wait for a round. There is no ROI to submit.
You want Victoria, Queensland or Tasmania: lodge the EOI, then submit the ROI when the state's intake is open.
You want South Australia: onshore applicants submit an ROI. Offshore applicants lodge an EOI only.
You want the Northern Territory: lodge an EOI, then apply to the NT directly.
You want the ACT: lodge an EOI, then complete the Canberra Matrix.
Not sure which state fits your occupation and points? Book a consultation with RACC's registered migration agents (MARN 1572961 and MARN 1172003).
Frequently asked questions about EOI and ROI
What is the difference between an EOI and an ROI?
An EOI is your SkillSelect profile with your points, occupation and visa choice, lodged with Home Affairs. An ROI is a separate registration lodged with a state government, used by some states to rank candidates before inviting them. You need the EOI first. The ROI is an extra step in some states only.
Which states require an ROI?
Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania require an ROI, and South Australia requires one for onshore applicants. Western Australia and New South Wales invite directly from SkillSelect EOIs. The Northern Territory takes a direct application, and the ACT uses the Canberra Matrix. Check the state's page, because graduate and overseas pathways can differ.
Do I need an ROI for NSW?
No. NSW does not use an ROI and does not accept direct applications. You lodge an EOI in SkillSelect that seeks NSW nomination, and NSW invites selected applicants in rounds through the year. An invitation is valid for 14 days. See RACC's NSW skilled migration program breakdown.
Do I need an ROI for a 491 visa?
It depends on the state, not the visa. Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania work through an ROI for the 491, while Western Australia and NSW invite from EOIs. Queensland lets you register for the 190, the 491 or both in one ROI. Read more on RACC's subclass 491 page and subclass 190 page.
What does it mean when a state is open?
Open means the state is accepting something from you. That is an ROI in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and onshore South Australia, or an application in the Northern Territory. In Western Australia and NSW there is nothing to open, because you can lodge an EOI at any time and the state invites in rounds.
Can I lodge my EOI before a state opens?
Yes. SkillSelect accepts EOIs at any time, and Victoria and Tasmania need one before you submit an ROI. Lodge an accurate EOI that names the state, then submit the ROI once the intake is open. Keep your points current while you wait.
Does an ROI guarantee an invitation?
No. States rank and select at their discretion and within their allocation. Queensland offers nominations based on the number of places available, and Tasmania places ROIs into Gold, Green, Orange or Red passes. An ROI only puts you in the queue.
Need help choosing a state or lodging your EOI?
State rules, intakes and allocations change during the year. This page is general information and does not replace advice on your own situation.
RACC's registered migration agents can check your points and occupation, then tell you which state route fits you and what to lodge first. Book a consultation with RACC.
RACC Migration & Education Services
Registered Migration Agents: MARN 1572961 and MARN 1172003
Office: Suite 715-716, Level 7, 343 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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