Partner Skills Points: How to Claim 10 Extra Points for Skilled Visas

Three Levels of Partner Points

The points test offers three different levels of partner-related points: (1) Partner skills (10 points) — for applicants whose partner meets specific eligibility (age, English, skills assessment, occupation); (2) Partner English (5 points) — for applicants whose partner has competent English but doesn't meet the full skills requirements; (3) Single applicant (10 points) — for applicants who don't have a partner included in the visa application. Important: only one of these three can apply. If you're claiming partner skills (10), you can't also claim single (10). If your partner has competent English but doesn't meet skills (5), that excludes both partner skills and single. For applicants with strong-skilled partners — partner skills is 10 points the same as single. For applicants without partners or with partners who don't qualify, single applicant points are 10. The losing category is having a partner with limited English or skills — claiming nothing or only partner English (5). Many couples calculate that one partner being primary applicant claiming partner skills (10) vs. being single (10) is identical, so partner qualifications add value only if otherwise the partner would be a 'limited English' situation.

Partner Skills Eligibility (10 Points)

To claim the 10 partner skills points, your partner must meet all of: (1) Age under 45 years at time of invitation; (2) Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each of the four bands (or equivalent OET/PTE/TOEFL/Cambridge); (3) Positive skills assessment in an eligible skilled occupation — the partner's nominated occupation must be on the same skilled occupation list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or relevant equivalent) as the primary applicant's visa; (4) Not be an Australian citizen or PR (if partner is already Australian, partner skills points don't apply — the primary applicant should claim single points instead). The partner's skills assessment must be current (within validity period — usually 3 years from issue) at the time of invitation. The partner doesn't need to be the primary applicant — they're included in the visa application as a secondary applicant, but their qualifications contribute the points. Many primary applicants meticulously plan to ensure their partner meets these criteria for the points boost.

Partner English Only (5 Points)

If the partner has competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent) but doesn't meet the full skills requirements (e.g., partner has a skills assessment but in an occupation not on the relevant list, or age over 45), 5 points can be claimed. The partner English-only points are a fallback when full skills don't apply. Common scenarios where partner English-only applies: (1) Partner has English but is over 45 and can't get age-eligible skills assessment; (2) Partner has English but their occupation is not on the migration list; (3) Partner has English but doesn't have a tertiary qualification for skills assessment in any relevant occupation; (4) Partner has English but is not currently working in their skilled occupation. Partner English-only requires English evidence (test result) but no skills assessment. Evidence: current English test result for the partner, within validity period at the time of invitation.

Evidence Required and Common Errors

Evidence for partner skills points: (1) Partner's age — passport; (2) Partner's English test result — must be current (typically within 3 years of invitation); (3) Partner's skills assessment certificate — must be valid (typically within 3 years of invitation, varies by assessing authority); (4) Partner's identity documents; (5) Evidence of the genuine relationship (statutory declarations, photos, financial co-mingling, etc.) — partner inclusion requires bona fide relationship like partner visa standards. Common errors: (1) Partner's skills assessment in an occupation not on the relevant list — assessment is valid but doesn't qualify for points. Check occupation list compatibility; (2) Partner's English test expires between EOI and invitation — re-test before invitation; (3) Partner over 45 at time of invitation — even if was under 45 at EOI; (4) Partner's skills assessment expired between EOI and invitation; (5) Partner claimed as 'skilled' but evidence doesn't support — Department can request re-evidence or reduce points. Careful documentation at invitation time prevents issues. Most applicants prepare and bank partner's English and skills assessment proactively.

Strategic Use: When Partner Skills Make the Difference

Partner skills points matter most when: (1) Primary applicant is close to but below invitation cutoff for 189 or 190; (2) Adding 10 points moves above current invitation thresholds; (3) The partner can realistically meet the requirements (under 45, has or can get competent English, has skills assessment available in eligible occupation). Examples where partner skills make the difference: (1) 189 invitations at 95 points for software engineers — primary applicant has 85 points alone, partner skills lift to 95 — invitation realistic; (2) 190 NSW invitations at 85 points for nurses — primary at 75, partner adds 10 to 85 — invitation likely. Strategic planning: (1) When considering migration as a couple, both partners review skills assessment options early; (2) Partner pursues English test and skills assessment proactively even if not migrating as primary; (3) Partner skills can support primary applicant's invitation, with the partner included as secondary; (4) After PR is granted, both partners have full work and study rights regardless of who was primary. Migratio is Australia's marketplace for finding and comparing MARA-registered migration agents. Migratio matches applicants with MARA-registered agents who specialise in skilled migration points strategy including partner skills planning. Submit your brief describing your occupation, partner's qualifications, and target visa.

Does my partner need to be the same nationality as me?

No — partner can be any nationality. Partner just needs to meet the age, English, skills assessment, and not-Australian-citizen criteria. Many couples are mixed nationality.

Can my partner be the primary applicant instead?

Yes — either partner can be primary applicant. Choose based on which one has stronger points (occupation, age, English, work experience). The non-primary partner is included as secondary and contributes partner skills if eligible.

Does same-sex partner qualify?

Yes — same-sex partners qualify on identical terms. Australian immigration law treats same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships equivalently.

What if my partner has no qualifications?

No formal qualifications means no skills assessment — so no partner skills points (10) available. Partner English-only (5 points) may apply if they have competent English. Otherwise, the primary applicant claims single (10 points) — same as partner skills.

How long does my partner's English need to be valid?

English test results are valid for 3 years from test date for most visa purposes. Ensure partner's test result is current at the time of invitation and visa decision.