Partner points for Subclasses 189,190 and 491

Recently the Department of Home Affairs changed the points allocations for partners of primary applicants for visas. All applicants are either classified as single or married (as defined in section 5F of the Migration Act 1958) or in a de facto partner (as defined in section 5CB of the Migration Act).

• If your spouse or de facto partner is an applicant for the visa and meets the age, English and skill criteria then you are allocated an extra 10 points
• If your spouse or de facto partner is an applicant for the visa and has competent English then you are allocated an extra 5 points
• If you are single or your partner is an Australian citizen, you are allocated an extra 10 points

The relevant time of assessing the status of the relationship is the date of the points test assessment by the decision maker. If your relationship status or the residence status of your partner changes after the date of invitation, or after the date of application, the awarding of partner points may also change.

The Department of Home Affairs looks very carefully to see if there is any inconsistent information regarding the marital or de facto relationship status of applicants during the processing of applications. If they do detect concerns, they offer the applicant an opportunity to comment. If there has been a change in relationship status, evidence must be provided to support this change.