If you are planning to apply for Australian Permanent Residency through skilled migration, your points score matters. For many applicants, even 5 or 10 extra points can make a major difference in receiving an invitation.

One area that often creates confusion is partner points. Many applicants do not clearly understand whether their partner can help them claim 5 points, 10 points, or no points at all.

Under the Australia PR points test, your partner’s English ability, skills assessment, occupation and visa eligibility can affect your total score for skilled visas such as Subclass 189, Subclass 190 and Subclass 491.

In this guide, V CAN Migration Services explains how Australia PR partner points work and what you should check before submitting your Expression of Interest.

Why Partner Points Matter in Australia PR

Australia’s skilled migration system uses a points test to rank applicants. Your score is calculated based on factors such as age, English level, education, skilled employment, Australian study, nomination and partner skills.

In competitive occupations, the difference between 75 and 85 points can be huge. That is why partner points should not be ignored.

But the important point is this: you can only claim partner points if the correct requirements are met at the time of invitation.

How Many Partner Points Can You Claim?

There are three main partner-point situations under the skilled migration points test.

10 Points for a Skilled Partner

You may be able to claim 10 partner points if your spouse or de facto partner is included in your visa application and meets the required skilled partner criteria.

To claim 10 points, your partner generally must:

These requirements must work together. Having only a skills assessment is not enough. Having only English is not enough. For 10 points, the partner must meet the full skilled partner criteria.

5 Points for Partner with Competent English

You may be able to claim 5 partner points if your spouse or de facto partner is included in your visa application and has Competent English.

To claim 5 points, your partner generally must:

This option is useful when your partner does not have a suitable skills assessment or their occupation is not on the relevant skilled occupation list.

10 Points If You Are Single or Your Partner Is an Australian Citizen or PR

You may also receive 10 points if you are single.

You may also receive 10 points if your partner is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.

Be honest and accurate from the beginning.

What Is Competent English for Partner Points?

Competent English generally means your partner must provide accepted English evidence. This may include holding a valid passport from certain English-speaking countries or achieving the required score in an approved English test.

English test requirements can change, so applicants should always check the latest Department of Home Affairs rules before lodging an EOI or visa application.

Common Mistakes in Partner Points Calculation

Many applicants lose points or face issues because they claim partner points incorrectly. Here are the mistakes you should avoid.

Partner Points Example

Let’s say you are applying for a Subclass 190 visa and your current score is 75.

That extra 5 or 10 points can improve your ranking and may increase your chances of receiving an invitation, depending on your occupation, state nomination rules and current competition.

Should You Add Your Partner to Your PR Application?

In most cases, if you are married or in a de facto relationship, your partner details must be declared correctly. Whether they help you claim points depends on their profile.

Before submitting your EOI, check:

Find Out If You Can Claim 5 or 10 Partner Points

Every Australia PR case is different. Your partner may help you claim 5 points, 10 points or no points depending on their English, skills assessment, occupation and visa status.

A proper eligibility assessment before submitting your EOI can help you avoid costly mistakes and improve your skilled migration strategy.

At V CAN Migration Services, our team can assess your complete profile and help you understand the best way to maximize your Australia PR points for Subclass 189, Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visas.

Unsure About Your Partner Points?

If you are unsure whether your partner can help you claim extra points, speak with V CAN Migration Services before submitting your EOI.

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not be taken as legal or migration advice. Migration rules can change, and eligibility depends on individual circumstances. Always get professional advice before making a visa decision.