hm maybe I m getting it all wrong here, but as he hasnt got the 12months together he can still apply for a work permit under partnership. it doesnt matter how long you have lived together to apply for that, you just have to prove that you have been together and been living together for part of that.. I m sure they ll have some mail that went to the same address or something if they really have lived together...
Only difference is if you havent lived together for a year you can initially only get a work permit for up to 1year