@meforgetful, yung ack letter yan ung email letter nila na natanggap nila ung pinadala mong docs, before ung ack letter it contains a file number and receipt of the payment. Nung nag February they started to send a generic ack letter right after ma received nila ung docs. Generic email without File Number and Receipt of payment.
Ang approval naman ay yan ung na approve na ng visa mo ang State Sponsorship. Meaning they acknowledge or they agree to provide you an additional 5 points.
Next, you will received an email stating pwede ka na mag lodge dahil na invite ka na sa SkillSelect, lodge mo na ung visa mo to finalize at ma allocate ng Case Officer for other needed docs like Meds and Police Clearance...
Yung EOI, as early as pag ka submit mo ng EOI pwede ka na mag create then submit mo along with the state na aapplyan mo. Pero pwede rin naman pag nagka approval letter ka na, depende sa state, better check rin sa requirements nila. But for NSW, pwede kahit after na ng approval. Pero for me mas ok ung ready na.