How Can I Claim 5 Points for Partner Skills Assessment for Subclass 189, 190, and 491 Visa?

When applying for a Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa, your total points score under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points test determines your eligibility and competitiveness for invitation.

One valuable way to increase your overall points is by claiming partner skill points, which can contribute up to 5 additional points toward your total score - often making the difference between receiving an invitation or missing out.

Let's explore in detail how you can claim these 5 points for partner skills, what the eligibility conditions are, and what kind of evidence the Department of Home Affairs requires.

Understanding Partner Skill Points

Partner skill points are awarded if your spouse or de facto partner meets certain skilled criteria that demonstrate they are also a qualified, employable skilled migrant.
Essentially, the Department wants to ensure that both members of a migrating couple can contribute productively to Australia's labour market.

Eligibility Criteria to Claim 5 Points for Partner Skills

To be eligible for partner skill points, your partner must meet three key requirements at the time of invitation to apply for the visa:

1. Age Requirement

Your partner must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
If your partner is 45 or older, they are not eligible for partner skill points (even if they have qualifications or work experience).

2. Skills Assessment Requirement

Your partner must have a positive skills assessment in an occupation listed on the same Skilled Occupation List as your own visa subclass.
For example:

• For Subclass 189, the occupation must be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• For Subclass 190, it must be on the relevant State or Territory occupation list.
• For Subclass 491, the occupation must be on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL list, depending on the nomination stream.
• The skills assessment must be:
• Issued by the relevant assessing authority for that occupation.
• Valid and current at the time of invitation.
• Based on qualifications and work experience that align with Australian standards.

If your partner has previously obtained a skills assessment for a different purpose (e.g., a student visa or employment), ensure it's still valid and appropriate for skilled migration purposes.

3. English Language Requirement

Your partner must demonstrate competent English, which means they must achieve at least the following minimum test scores (from an approved English test taken within the past three years):

• IELTS: Minimum score of 6 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), or
• PTE Academic: Minimum score of 50 in each component, or
• TOEFL iBT: At least 12 for Listening, 13 for Reading, 21 for Writing, and 18 for Speaking, or
• OET: A minimum of 'B' in each band, or
• Cambridge (C1 Advanced): Minimum score of 169 in each component.

Alternatively, if your partner holds a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, they are automatically considered to have competent English and do not need to provide test results.

When Can You Claim These 5 Points?

You can claim 5 partner skill points if:

• Your partner meets all three criteria (age, skills assessment, and English ability).
• You have included them in your application as a secondary applicant.
• The evidence you provide fully supports these claims at the time of invitation (not just at the time of lodgement).
• If your partner doesn’t meet all three, you may still be eligible for alternative partner points categories (explained below).

Alternative Scenarios for Partner Points

The points test allows for different partner-related scenarios:

A. Partner With Suitable Skills Assessment and Competent English

Eligible for 5 points (standard partner skill points).

B. Partner With Only Competent English (But No Skills Assessment)

Eligible for 5 points under the category "Your partner has competent English but does not have a suitable skills assessment."
This is available for subclass 189, 190, and 491 applicants.

C. Single Applicants

Eligible for 10 points (since there is no partner to assess, the applicant is considered as having "no partner" under the points test).

D. Partner Who Is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident

Eligible for 10 points as well.
If your partner is already an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you automatically receive 10 points.

Documents Required to Claim Partner Skill Points

To successfully claim 5 points, you must provide clear, valid, and verifiable documentation, including:

• Certified copy of your partner's passport bio page (to verify identity and age).
• Positive skills assessment issued by the relevant assessing authority.
• Evidence of English proficiency (test results or passport from an exempt country).
• Proof of relationship:
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship.
• Proof of shared finances, cohabitation, and relationship history (if de facto).

All evidence must be current at the time of invitation. If your partner’s skills assessment or English test expires before the invitation round, those points may not be counted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many applicants lose their partner skill points due to simple errors, such as:

• Skills assessment obtained after receiving the invitation.
• Partner's occupation not listed on the relevant occupation list.
• Expired English test results.
• Incorrect assumption that de facto partners automatically qualify.
• Missing or incomplete relationship evidence.
• Always double-check all evidence and timelines before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

Example Scenario

Suppose you are applying for a Subclass 190 visa as a Mechanical Engineer, and your spouse is an Electrical Engineer.
If your spouse:

• Is under 45 years old,
• Holds a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia for Electrical Engineer, and
• Has IELTS 6.0 in each band (competent English),
  then you can claim 5 additional partner skill points in your EOI.

This can raise your total points from, say, 85 to 90 - potentially giving you a stronger chance of receiving an invitation in a competitive round.

Summary Table of Partner Points Eligibility

Conclusion

Claiming 5 points for partner skills under the Skilled Migration Program (subclass 189, 190, or 491) can significantly improve your chances of securing an invitation to apply for a visa.

To ensure eligibility, your partner must meet all key conditions - being under 45, holding a positive skills assessment, and demonstrating competent English proficiency.

It's important to plan ahead, obtain valid assessments early, and include complete relationship and qualification evidence in your application. Submitting consistent, well-documented evidence not only strengthens your points claim but also helps prevent potential delays or refusals during your visa processing.

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