If you’re a registered nurse or midwife working in the UK and dreaming of a new life in Australia, you may have heard about the “Expression of Interest” (EOI) process. Maybe you’ve even been tempted to lodge one yourself, thinking it’s as simple as filling out an online form and waiting for an invitation.

⚠️ Here’s the reality:

Submitting an EOI without proper legal advice is one of the biggest mistakes we see aspiring migrants make.

It’s not a harmless ‘first step’—it’s a critical part of the process that can either set you up for success… or derail your migration entirely.

In this blog, we’ll explain why you need professional legal advice before you lodge an EOI—and the real risks of getting it wrong.

What Is an Expression of Interest (EOI)?

An EOI is an online application submitted through SkillSelect, the Australian Government’s system for managing skilled migration.

By lodging an EOI, you’re telling the Australian Government that you want to migrate to Australia and providing information about your skills, experience, and qualifications.

The EOI is required for independent skilled visas like:

✅ Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)

✅ Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)

✅ Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional)

You can’t apply for these visas without first being invited to apply—based on the information in your EOI.

Why It’s NOT ‘Just an Expression of Interest’

Many people believe the EOI is informal or non-binding, like putting your name on a waiting list.

This is a dangerous myth.

💥 The information you provide in your EOI becomes part of your official visa application once you’re invited.

💥 If you made errors, misrepresented information, or misunderstood how to calculate your points—it can lead to your visa being refused.

💥 A refusal stays on your immigration record forever, making future applications harder (and sometimes impossible).

Common Mistakes People Make in Their EOI

At SOLVi Migration, we’ve seen countless examples of nurses and midwives who submitted an EOI on their own—or with poor advice—and then ran into serious trouble.

Here are just some of the mistakes:

🚩 Incorrect points claim:

Many people don’t understand how to properly calculate their points for things like age, qualifications, work experience, English scores, and partner skills.

🚩 Wrong occupation code:

Nurses don’t realise there are 15 different occupation codes in Australia. Picking the wrong one can disqualify you.

🚩 Missing partner details:

Some applicants leave out their partner because they think it’s cheaper or faster, without understanding the legal implications.

🚩 Submitting ‘any state’ selection:

Certain states and territories require you to commit to them specifically. Selecting ‘any state’ can make you ineligible for nomination.

🚩 Outdated or incorrect information:

Many people copy what their friends did—or what they read in a Facebook group—without realising that rules and criteria change constantly.

Why Legal Advice Matters

Submitting an EOI is a legal process governed by Australia’s migration laws.

If you make a mistake, it’s not a case of ‘Oh well, I’ll fix it later.’

You may lose your chance entirely.

✅ An immigration lawyer can ensure your points are calculated correctly.

This includes verifying your work experience, qualifications, partner information, and English language requirements.

✅ We ensure you select the correct occupation code.

This is critical because it affects your skills assessment, state nomination eligibility, and visa application.

✅ We help you structure your EOI to maximise your chances.

That includes understanding nomination requirements in each state or territory and positioning your application strategically.

✅ We ensure your documentation matches your EOI claims.

The Department of Home Affairs will cross-check everything you claim against the evidence you provide. A mismatch leads to refusal.

What Happens If You Lodge an EOI Incorrectly?

If you lodge an EOI on your own and:

❌ Over claim points

❌ Leave out essential information

❌ Provide inconsistent details

❌ Select the wrong occupation code

❌ Don’t understand the nomination requirements

Your application will likely be refused when you apply for the visa—or worse, you may never receive an invitation at all.

And if you’ve made a serious error, it can impact your future eligibility.

A Real-Life Example

We recently spoke to a nurse who submitted her own EOI after listening to advice in a WhatsApp group.

She claimed 85 points, thinking she had plenty to qualify.

When she came to us after being stuck for over a year with no invitation, we discovered:

🔸 She had used the wrong occupation code

🔸 She misunderstood how to calculate her work experience points

🔸 She had claimed points for partner skills without proper evidence

🔸 Her English test was out of date

Her points were actually only 60—not enough to be eligible.

We had to re-do her skills assessment, lodge a new EOI, and start over—costing her precious time and money.

How SOLVi Migration Can Help

At SOLVi Migration, we are an Australian immigration law firm that specialises in helping internationally qualified nurses and midwives migrate to Australia—independent of employer sponsorship.

We don’t leave your future to chance.

Our team will:

✅ Assess your eligibility

✅ Develop a tailored legal strategy

✅ Ensure your EOI is legally correct and strategically positioned

✅ Guide you through every step—from registration, skills assessment, nomination, and visa application

We also help you avoid the common (and costly) mistakes that others make.

Your Next Steps

If you’re serious about migrating to Australia, don’t risk your future on a "do-it-yourself" EOI.

✅ Book a paid legal consultation with SOLVi Migration today.

We’ll assess your situation and give you a clear legal strategy to migrate independently to Australia.

✅ Need help with AHPRA registration? Join our Nurse Registration Course.

Get cost-effective, expert guidance and access to a supportive community so you can secure your AHPRA registration and move forward with your migration plans.

👉 www.nurseregistration.com

🚀 Avoid the scams, get real advice, and secure your Australian future the right way.