Age Points in the EOI: The Detailed Points-by-Age Table
Age points in the EOI system
In the SkillSelect EOI points system, age is one of the most heavily weighted and important factors. What is distinctive about this category is that you cannot control or improve it — age only moves in one direction, increasing over time. For that reason, understanding the age points table and timing your EOI well is extremely important.
The detailed age points table
The Department calculates age points based on your age at the time you receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA), not at the time you lodge your EOI. In practice, however, the difference is usually small, so many people calculate based on their age at lodgement.
The specific table is as follows:
- Under 18 years old: 0 points (not eligible to lodge an EOI independently)
- 18–24 years old: 25 points
- 25–32 years old: 30 points (the highest)
- 33–39 years old: 25 points
- 40–44 years old: 15 points
- 45 years old and over: 0 points
The maximum is 30 points, reserved for the prime 25–32 age group. This group benefits the most from this category.
Why do age points matter so much?
In the EOI system, every point has real value. A difference of 5 points can determine whether you are invited or keep waiting across many rounds. By comparison:
- Someone in the 25–32 group versus someone in the 33–39 group differs by 5 points purely because of age.
- Someone in the 33–39 group versus someone in the 40–44 group differs by 10 points.
- Someone in the 40–44 group versus someone aged 45 and over differs by 15 points — a very large gap in the EOI system.
A 15-point difference is equivalent to needing 8 years or more of Australian work experience just to offset crossing the 45-year threshold.
Strategy based on age points
Age 25–32: act now
If you are in this age band, this is the prime time. You are earning the highest score, and every passing year adds pressure. Prioritise completing your skills assessment and English test as early as possible, then lodge your EOI without delay. Don’t wait for “perfect” — the 30-point age band waits for no one.
Age 32–33: watch the threshold carefully
If you are about to turn 33, calculate carefully: after your 33rd birthday, you lose 5 age points. If you are preparing to lodge an EOI and the timing is close to this threshold, consider whether to speed up your preparation so you can lodge before your birthday.
Age 33–39: offset with other categories
In this band you still have 25 age points, but you need to pay more attention to the other categories. Invest in English to reach Superior English (20 points) instead of Competent, or consider the subclass 190/491 pathways with extra nomination points to offset the lower age points.
Age 40–44: a careful strategy is needed
With only 15 age points, you need to optimise almost all of the remaining categories. A subclass 190 or 491 is often a more realistic choice than the subclass 189. Look carefully at the occupation lists for each state, as some states prioritise specific occupations and the nomination points can offset a great deal.
Age 45 and over: an EOI is not viable, consider other pathways
If you are 45 or over, your age points are zero and the chance of reaching enough EOI points to be invited is very low in most occupations. This is the time to consider other visa pathways, such as the subclass 482 (employer sponsorship) or the subclass 186 (employer-nominated permanent residence).
A note on how the Department calculates age
Age is assessed at the time you receive the ITA. If you lodge your EOI at 32 but receive the ITA after your 33rd birthday, your age points will be calculated as 25 (the 33–39 group), not 30. This is an important detail to keep in mind when planning your timing.