Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

Wondering if anyone can clarify for me:

My partner has a positive skills assessment for solid plastering from TRA.. our agent had previously told us that he was not required to do an IELTS for us to claim the extra 5 points on our 189 visa - however, they are now telling us that he does (great when we only have until the 30th november to submit our application!)

we were told that as he has a british passport, completed all his primary and secondary education in english and his 2 years trade certificate and apprenticeship was taught in english he does not need to sit an IELTS..

just checked the DIAC website and it says we need to evidence that he has competent english.. but i can't find any further info.. any help much appreciated!! thank you..

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

He can use his British passport for proof of English, but he won't get any points. If you want the points, then he will have to do the test.

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

Are you the primary applicant and you are claiming 5 partner points too?

If yes, then your partner has to meet the basic eligibility criteria, and for IELTS, the basic eligibility is a band score of 6 or his UK passport.

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

That's a very good point, joojay. I assumed that the OP was meaning the ten or twenty points for sevens or eights on the IELTS test for the main applicant.

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

thanks for all your replies!! i am the main applicant and have claimed 20 points on my IELTS... i am wanting to claim the 5 extra partner point..!? so does this mean the passport will be sufficient?

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

As far as I'm aware, you only need to prove English language proficiency for the partner skills points, so the passport should suffice. Is your agent MARA registered? You should ask them where it's listed that the partner must take the IELTS for the five points. They must have a valid skills assessment though.

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

Yes agent is MARA registered.. but they don't seem to have the answers we need.. my partner already has his positive skills assessment from TRA and we received our invite on the 1st october so we were all ready to submit our application, then our agent contacted us this morning saying he would need to book an IELTS test asap..

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

As I said, I think it'd be worth clarifying where your agent has seen that requirement.

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

For a UK passport to count, you also have to be a UK citizen. Provided this is true, I would think you are okay. Have you had a chat with your agent to find out why they are now asking for IELTS?

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

now all seems to be clarified... thanks for all your help. our agent has done some further research and it seems a passport is sufficient :)

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

Good to hear. Good luck. :thumbup:

Re: Help - claiming points for partner skills
 

thank you :)