EOI Cutoff Score History: Trends and What They Mean
What Is the EOI Cutoff Score?
The cutoff score (or “floor score”) is the lowest EOI score invited in a specific invitation round. It is not a fixed number — it changes from round to round depending on supply and demand: the quota remaining versus the number of EOIs waiting in the queue.
After each invitation round ends, DHA publishes figures including the number of ITAs sent, the cutoff score, and (in some cases) the earliest lodgement date of those invited at the cutoff. This information is useful for tracking trends but does not guarantee an accurate prediction for the next round.
Subclass 189 Cutoff Trends
The subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is the most competitive visa because it requires no nomination. The cutoff score for the 189 is usually the highest of the three EOI visa types.
In recent financial years, the general trend has been:
Pre-COVID period (2018–2019): Many occupations had cutoffs of 65–75 points — a relatively low level, reflecting a time when quota was plentiful and labour demand was high.
COVID and post-COVID period (2020–2022): Border closures led to fewer applications being lodged, but quota did not increase to match. Many invitation rounds were paused or significantly reduced.
Recovery period (2023–2025): With borders reopened, the volume of EOIs rose sharply while quota did not grow enough, putting upward pressure on cutoff scores. Many popular occupations (IT, accounting, healthcare) saw cutoffs of 80–95 points, and even higher in particularly competitive rounds.
Specialist occupations in information technology and healthcare often have the highest cutoffs because of the large number of applicants and insufficient quota to meet demand.
Subclass 190 Cutoff Trends
The subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) comes with 5 nomination points from the state, so its effective cutoff is usually lower than the 189 when measuring points purely from individual factors.
However, each state has its own quota and occupation priorities. A few notable points:
- New South Wales and Victoria: Often have a high cutoff because many applicants want to settle in Sydney or Melbourne.
- South Australia and Tasmania: Smaller quotas but also fewer applicants; some occupations may be nominated at a lower score.
- Western Australia: Has expanded its priority occupation list in recent years, creating opportunities for more applicants.
Importantly, the state nomination points for the 190 are 5 points, so at the same individual score you have an advantage over the 189.
Subclass 491 Cutoff Trends
The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) comes with up to 15 nomination points, which considerably lowers the individual score needed. It is a more accessible pathway for those whose EOI score is not high enough to compete for the 189 or 190.
The effective cutoff for the 491 is usually about 10–20 points lower than the 189 (measuring individual points, not including nomination points). However, the 491 is a provisional visa (5 years) and requires you to live and work in a regional area during that time before applying for permanent residence.
Factors That Influence the Cutoff
The cutoff score changes with a number of factors:
Annual quota: The Australian Government announces the total skilled migration quota each financial year. A higher quota means more ITAs and a potentially lower cutoff. A lower quota creates greater competitive pressure.
Number of EOIs in the queue: When many people lodge an EOI for the same occupation, competition rises and the cutoff tends to rise with it.
Occupation ceiling: When an occupation reaches the cap on the number of ITAs allowed in a year, no further rounds are held for that occupation that year, regardless of how high your score is.
Industry priority policy: In some years the government focuses priority on certain industries (healthcare, education, construction, and so on), leading to higher quotas and lower cutoffs for those industries.
The Cutoff Changes: It Cannot Be Predicted with Certainty
The most important thing to understand about the cutoff is that no one can predict the exact cutoff for the next invitation round — not even migration professionals. Historical figures are only a reference trend, not a commitment about the future.
The most practical strategy is to maximise your own score by every means available (English, lodgement timing, considering different states), rather than waiting in the hope that the cutoff will fall. Australia’s labour market and migration policy change constantly, and cutoff trends can move against expectations at any time.