Australia Skill Assessment for Spouse/Partner: What You Need to Know

When planning to migrate to Australia, many applicants consider including their spouse or partner in their visa application. The Australia skill assessment for spouse or skill assessment for partner visa Australia can significantly boost your chances of securing permanent residency (PR) through General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas, such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491. By obtaining a positive skill assessment for spouse Australia, you can add valuable points to your Expression of Interest (EOI). In this blog, we’ll explore everything about the spouse skill assessment eligibility Australia, how to apply skill assessment for spouse in Australia, and how spouse skill assessment increases PR points Australia, along with practical tips and expert guidance.

What is a Skill Assessment for a Spouse/Partner?

The Australia skill assessment for spouse or skill assessment for partner visa Australia is a formal evaluation of your spouse or partner’s qualifications, skills, and work experience to confirm they meet Australian standards for a specific occupation. For GSM visas, a positive skill assessment for spouse Australia allows the main applicant to claim additional points in their EOI, enhancing their chances of receiving a visa invitation. This process is crucial for those asking, “Can spouse do skill assessment for PR Australia?” The answer is yes, and it can make a significant difference.

The Department of Home Affairs awards 5 points for a spouse or partner who secures a positive skill assessment for spouse Australia in a nominated occupation listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and meets the English language requirements. These points are especially valuable in competitive visa streams, where a higher EOI score improves your ranking.

Why is a Spouse/Partner Skill Assessment Important?

Adding your spouse or partner’s skills to your visa application can really help your chances. Here’s why the Australia skill assessment for spouse is important:

• Additional Points: A positive skill assessment for spouse Australia adds 5 points to your EOI score. These points can help you reach the minimum required score or move ahead of other applicants. This answers the common question, “How spouse skill assessment increases PR points Australia?”
• Flexibility in Occupation: The spouse’s job doesn’t need to match the main applicant’s job. It just needs to be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), like in the spouse skill assessment under 190 visa Australia.
• Improved Visa Chances: More points mean a better EOI ranking, which improves your chances of getting a visa invitation.
• Contribution to Family Migration: A skilled spouse makes the family’s PR application stronger and increases the chances of approval.

For those wondering, “Does spouse need skill assessment for PR Australia?”, it’s not mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended if you want to get more PR points and improve your chances of approval.

Spouse Skill Assessment Eligibility Australia

To claim points through the Australia skill assessment for spouse, your spouse or partner must meet certain rules set by the Department of Home Affairs and the right assessing authority. Here’s the spouse skill assessment eligibility Australia you need to know:

• Relationship Status:
  - You must show that your spouse or partner is legally married to you or in a de facto relationship recognized by Australian immigration law.
  - De facto partners must prove at least 12 months of living together or show evidence like joint finances or shared responsibilities.
• Age:
  - Your spouse or partner must be under 45 years old at the time of receiving the visa invitation to claim points.
• Nominated Occupation:
  - The nominated job must be on the same Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as the main applicant (e.g., MLTSSL or STSOL).
  - The occupation should match their qualifications or work experience.
• Positive Skill Assessment:
  - A positive skill assessment for spouse Australia is required from the right assessing authority based on their job.
  - For example: Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for IT professionals, and TRA for trade occupations.
• English Language Proficiency:
  - Your spouse or partner must have at least competent English (e.g., IELTS 6 in each band, PTE 50, or equivalent).
  - Higher scores do not give more points but may be required by the assessing authority.
• Qualifications and Work Experience:
  - They must have the right qualifications and/or work experience as per the assessing authority’s standards.
  - Some authorities accept work experience alone, while others require formal qualifications.

Who can do skill assessment as a dependent applicant? Any spouse or de facto partner included in the visa application as a secondary applicant can go through a skill assessment, as long as they meet the requirements listed above.

Partner Skill Assessment Step-by-Step Process

The partner skill assessment process is similar to the one followed by the main applicant. Here’s a simple guide on how to apply skill assessment for spouse in Australia:

• Choose a Nominated Occupation
  - Review the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) to choose a job that matches your spouse or partner’s qualifications and experience.
  - Make sure the occupation is valid for your visa type (e.g., Subclass 189, 190 visa Australia, or 491).
• Identify the Assessing Authority
  - Each job has a specific assessing authority. Some examples are:
  -- Engineers Australia: For engineering jobs
  -- Australian Computer Society (ACS): For IT professionals
  -- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): For trades like carpentry
  -- Australian Institute of Management (AIM): For management roles
  - Visit the official website of the authority to check the detailed requirements.
• Gather Documents Required for Partner Skill Assessment Australia
  - Collect all necessary documents for the partner skill assessment Australia, including:
  -- Identity: Passport, birth certificate
  -- Education: Degree or diploma certificates and transcripts
  -- Work Experience: Letters from employers describing your job, tasks, and duration
  -- English Test Results: IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT
  -- Relationship Proof: Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence like joint accounts or lease
  - Make sure the documents are in English and certified as needed.
• Submit the Skill Assessment Application
  - Fill out the application form provided by the assessing authority.
  - Pay the required fee (usually between AUD 300–2,000).
  - Submit the application online or by post as instructed by the authority.
• Await the Outcome
  - Processing usually takes 8 to 12 weeks.
  - A positive skill assessment for spouse Australia confirms that the spouse’s skills meet Australian standards.
• Include in EOI
  - Add the spouse’s skill assessment and English test results to the Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
  - This lets you claim the 5 bonus points for skilled spouse/partner.

Common Assessing Authorities and Their Requirements

Here’s an overview of the major assessing authorities for the Australia skill assessment for spouse:

• Engineers Australia
  - Requires recognized engineering qualifications or equivalent work experience.
  - Applicants with non-accredited qualifications may need to submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).
  - Processing time: Approximately 12 weeks.
• Australian Computer Society (ACS)
  - Requires an IT-related degree or diploma with relevant work experience (2–8 years, depending on the qualification).
  - If qualifications are non-standard, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) report may be needed.
  - Processing time: Around 8–10 weeks.
• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
  - Requires trade qualifications or completed apprenticeship plus 3–5 years of work experience.
  - May include a technical interview or practical assessment.
  - Processing time: Approximately 10–12 weeks.
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  - Applicable for health professionals such as nurses and doctors.
  - Requires AHPRA registration and evidence of qualifications and relevant experience.
  - Processing time: Varies significantly depending on the profession and individual case.

How Peerless Immigration Services Can Help

Navigating the Australia skill assessment for spouse or skill assessment for partner visa Australia can be challenging due to the varying requirements based on occupation, assessing authority, and visa subclass. Peerless Immigration Services, a trusted immigration consultant for spouse skill assessment, provides expert guidance and end-to-end support to ensure a smooth and successful process. Here’s how we can help:

• Personalized Consultation: Our registered migration agents carefully evaluate your spouse’s qualifications, experience, and nominated occupation to confirm spouse skill assessment eligibility Australia. We ensure the occupation aligns with the correct Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and assessing authority.
• Document Preparation Support: We provide detailed checklists and assist in gathering all necessary documents for partner skill assessment Australia, ensuring compliance with the assessing authority’s standards to prevent delays or rejections.
• Occupation Matching: If your spouse’s occupation is listed on a different SOL (e.g., STSOL) than yours (e.g., MLTSSL), we analyze relevant state or territory nomination lists for Subclass 190 or 491 visas to explore point-claiming opportunities or suggest alternatives to optimize your Expression of Interest (EOI).
• English Proficiency Guidance: We advise on suitable English language tests and help schedule exams to meet the required competent English standard.
• EOI and Visa Strategy: We integrate your spouse’s positive skill assessment for spouse Australia into your EOI and recommend the best visa subclass (Subclass 189, spouse skill assessment under 190 visa Australia, or 491) to maximize your points and chances of success.
• Ongoing Support: From application submission through to liaising with authorities, we provide comprehensive spouse skill assessment help Australia to ensure a smooth process.

Why Choose Peerless Immigration Services?

Enrolling with Peerless Immigration Services offers unmatched benefits:

• Expertise: Our agents are experts in Australian immigration law, staying updated on SOLs, visa policies, and assessing authority requirements.
• Tailored Solutions: We customize strategies for unique cases, such as mismatched SOLs or non-standard qualifications.
• Time and Cost Efficiency: We prevent costly errors, saving you time and money on re-submissions.
• Proven Success: Our track record includes successful skill assessments and visa approvals.
• Client-Centric Approach: We offer clear communication and dedicated support, including free consultation for Australia spouse skill assessment to kickstart your journey.

Contact us for a free consultation for Australia spouse skill assessment at +91-8595010514 or email us at info@peerlessimmigration.com, and let our immigration consultant for spouse skill assessment guide you toward PR success.