How can I claim 5 points for partner skills assessment for Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visa?

There are maximum 10 points available for partner skills.

If you have a partner who is not an Australian Citizen or permanent resident, then you can obtain the following points for partner skills:

• 5 points if your partner has minimum Competent English
• an additional 5 points if your partner is eligible for a skilled visa and has a skill assessment in an occupation that is on the same skilled occupation list (MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL) as your nominated skilled occupation

There seems to be some confusion around the criteria for the 5 points for partner skill assessment above.

Here is a clear answer, assume "You" is the primary applicant and assuming your partner's occupation is also eligible for a 189/190/491 skilled visa:

• If you are applying for 491 State Sponsored visa, your partner can be on any list - MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL
• If you are applying for 190 visa, your partner has to be either on MLTSSL or STSOL
• If you are applying for 189 visa or 491 Family Sponsored visa, your partner has to be on MLTSSL

You can check Skilled Occupation List here.

Source: Migration (LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities) Instrument 2019

How do you know it works ?

When you are creating an EOI in SkillSelect and claiming points for partner skills, you will automatically see partner points calculated and added to your EOI score, using the above mentioned logic.

You can check out the Skilled Occupation List to see what list your occupation and your partner's occupation is on.