You can claim 5 or 10 bonus points in Australia's skilled migration points test based on your partner's situation. If you're single or your partner is an Australian citizen/PR, you get 10 points. If your partner is applying with you, is under 45, has competent English and a suitable skills assessment in an occupation on the same list as yours, you also get 10 points. If your partner is applying with you and has competent English only, you get 5 points (Home Affairs points table). These partner-related points are often overlooked but can make the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely. Understanding the requirements and strategically claiming these points is essential for competitive applications.
Quick Facts
| Scenario | Points |
|---|---|
| No partner (single applicant) | 10 |
| Partner is Australian citizen or PR | 10 |
| Partner has skills assessment + competent English + under 45 + occupation on the same list as yours | 10 |
| Partner has competent English only | 5 |
| Partner has neither competent English nor a qualifying skills assessment | 0 |
How Partner Points Work
The points system recognises these partner scenarios:
Single Applicant: 10 Points
If you don't have a spouse, de facto partner, or fiancé(e), you automatically receive 10 points. "Single" means genuinely single — not separated, not in a relationship you haven't declared, and not in a de facto relationship you're trying to hide.
The Department verifies your relationship status through your application and supporting documents. Misrepresenting your status is a serious issue that can result in visa refusal.
Partner Is Australian Citizen or PR: 10 Points
If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you receive 10 points. This applies regardless of your partner's occupation, qualifications, or English skills.
Evidence needed:
- Partner's Australian passport or citizenship certificate, OR
- Partner's permanent residence visa grant letter
- Evidence of your relationship (marriage certificate, statutory declaration for de facto)
Skilled Partner: 10 Points
If your partner has a suitable skills assessment in an occupation on the same skilled occupation list as yours AND competent English, and is under 45, you receive 10 points. Home Affairs also says your partner "must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen", and the assessment cannot be one made for a subclass 485 visa.
If your partner is applying with you and has competent English but no qualifying skills assessment, you receive 5 points instead.
Requirements for the partner:
- Under 45 years of age
- Suitable skills assessment for an occupation on the same skilled occupation list as your nominated occupation (not an assessment for a subclass 485 visa)
- Competent English — IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent
- Applying for the same visa subclass as you, and not an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Important note: Your partner's occupation doesn't need to be the same as yours, but it must be on the same skilled occupation list as yours (for example, both on the MLTSSL). Their assessment and English score are used to support your points claim.
Getting Your Partner Assessed
Skills Assessment
Your partner needs the same type of skills assessment as a primary applicant:
- Assessment by the relevant authority for their occupation
- A positive outcome confirming their qualifications and experience match the occupation
- The assessment must be current (typically valid for 3 years)
Common assessments:
| Partner's Occupation | Assessing Authority | Cost | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer | Engineers Australia | AUD1,034 for a standard Competency Demonstration Report (AUD555.50 for a Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord qualification, AUD346.50 for an Australian engineering qualification), including GST | generally 15 weeks for a standard application to be assigned to an assessor (this is not the time to an outcome) |
| Accountant | CPA/CA ANZ/IPA | $565 onshore or $514 offshore (CPA Australia) | Check with the body |
| IT Professional | ACS | $1,498 (General Skills, ACS fees) | 4 to 6 weeks, according to the ACS |
| Nurse | ANMAC | AUD595 for a full skills assessment (AUD395 modified, AUD545 direct care) | Not published |
| Teacher | AITSL | AUD1,198 (no GST is charged; fees effective 7 September 2026) | Check with AITSL |
| Trades | TRA (Migration Skills Assessment) | AUD795 in total | typically within 120 days of submission |
English Test
Your partner must achieve at least Competent English. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs lists these minimums in each component:
- IELTS: 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
- TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: Listening 163, Reading 163, Writing 170, Speaking 179
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 use the old scores (PTE 50 in each part; TOEFL Listening 12, Reading 13, Writing 21, Speaking 21; Cambridge 169), which Home Affairs says may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
The English test doesn't need to be the same type as yours. Your partner could take PTE while you take IELTS.
Strategic Considerations
5 Points vs 10 Points
If you're single, you get 10 points, the same as an applicant whose partner is skilled (or is an Australian citizen or PR). A partner with competent English only is worth 5 points.
If you have a partner who can't get a skills assessment or competent English, you get 0 partner points. This can be a significant disadvantage compared to single applicants and applicants with skilled partners (who get 10 points).
Is It Worth Assessing Your Partner?
Calculate the difference:
- Partner with no competent English and no assessment: 0 partner points
- Partner with competent English only: 5 partner points
- Partner with competent English and a qualifying skills assessment: 10 partner points
- Cost: the skills assessment fee (see the table above) plus an English test
If those extra points would push you over the invitation threshold, the investment is absolutely worth it. If you're already well above the threshold, it's unnecessary.
What If My Partner Can't Get Assessed?
If your partner doesn't have a qualification or experience that qualifies for a skills assessment, you can still receive 5 points if they have competent English. Without competent English, you'll receive 0 partner points.
Options:
- Focus on maximising your own points instead
- Consider whether your partner could complete a short course or obtain a relevant qualification
- Some occupations have lower assessment requirements that your partner might meet
Common Issues
De Facto Partners
De facto partners need to demonstrate 12 months of cohabitation (or have registered the relationship). If you've been together for less than 12 months, you may not be able to claim partner points — and declaring a partner without meeting the de facto criteria can backfire.
Separated but Not Divorced
If you're legally married but separated, your status is complicated. You need to declare your partner (legally married) but may not be able to claim their skills (if separated). Consult a migration agent about your specific situation.
Partner's Assessment Fails
If your partner's skills assessment is negative, you cannot claim the 10 skilled-partner points. You can still claim 5 points if your partner has competent English.
Multiple Occupations
Your partner can be assessed in any eligible occupation on the same skilled occupation list as yours — it doesn't need to relate to your nominated occupation. If your partner has qualifications that could map to multiple occupations, choose the one most likely to receive a positive assessment.
Including Your Partner on the Visa Application
Whether you claim partner points or not, if you have a partner, you must declare them on your visa application. Your partner:
- Will be included on your visa as a secondary applicant
- Will receive work and study rights (on most skilled visas)
- Must meet health and character requirements
- Must provide police clearances
Partner visa application fee: AUD3,070 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over on a Subclass 189 or 190 (Home Affairs visa pricing). This is in addition to the primary applicant fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my partner get assessed even if they never worked in the assessed occupation?
Some assessing authorities assess based on qualifications alone, while others require a combination of qualifications and experience. Check the requirements of the specific assessing authority.
Does my partner need competent English if they're from an English-speaking country?
Passport holders from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland are generally considered to have competent English without a test. Other nationalities need a formal test result.
Can I claim 10 points as single if my partner stays in our home country?
No. If you have a partner (married or de facto), you must declare them regardless of where they live. You can only claim single points if you genuinely do not have a partner.
What if my partner becomes an Australian PR after I submit my EOI?
Update your EOI to claim 10 points (partner is Australian PR) instead of 5 points (partner with competent English only) or 0 points. If your partner already gave you the 10 skilled-partner points, the score does not change. This update will reset your date of effect, but the 5-10 point gain is usually worth it.
Can same-sex partners claim partner points?
Yes. Australia recognises same-sex relationships for immigration purposes. Same-sex married couples and de facto partners can claim partner points on the same basis as heterosexual couples.
