More points will be awarded to applicants who have a skilled spouse of de facto partner, or those without any spouse or partner. 

The revised points system for subclass 491 visas as well as General Skilled Migration visas has been introduced along with the amendment to the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019. 

“New system offers ten extra points for applicants who do not have a spouse or partner. Earlier applicants with partners had the edge over singles as they could claim points on their partner’s skills,” Migration expert Chaman Preet said. 

"Preference will be given to the applicants who have a skilled partner or those who do not have a partner. The applicants with a partner who does not have skills to or English competency to claim points will be ranked below all others," Ms Preet added. 

10 points will be awarded to applicants for having a skilled spouse or de facto partner, 15 points to applicants nominated by a State or Territory government or those sponsored by a family member residing in regional Australia, 10 points to applicants with certain STEM qualification, 10 points to applicants without any spouse or de facto partner, and 5 points to those with a spouse or de facto partner who has competent English. 

According to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, "Points are awarded for attributes that are linked with the applicant’s ability to make the greatest economic contribution, as the key purpose of the skilled migration program is to maximise the economic benefits of migration to Australia."

The revised point system was introduced following the recommendation of the Productivity Commission. The Commission stated the “significant share of secondary applicants in the permanent skill stream immigration” and the importance to “assess their contribution to the Australian economy and the community”. 

The revised system will commence from 16 November 2019.