For couples who want to be together in Australia but are currently living apart. The Partner visa (subclass 309/100) is for people in a de facto relationship or married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent
resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, who are currently living outside Australia. It allows the applicant Tto come to Australia to live with their partner, with a defined pathway to permanent residency built into the visa structure.
- Two stages: subclass 309 (temporary), then subclass 100 (permanent)
- Allows you to live, work, study and travel in Australia with your partner
- Leads to eligibility for Australian permanent residency
Who's eligible
- You're in a de facto relationship or married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- You're residing outside Australia at the time of application
- Your partner sponsors you and provides a sponsorship application
- You meet health and character requirements
- You have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
What it gives you
-
Live, work, study and travel in Australia without restrictions - Medicare access during your stay
- Domestic student fees at Australian institutions
- Eligibility for Australian citizenship once you meet residency requirements
- The ability to sponsor family members under relevant programs
What you'll need
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Divorce certificate (if applicable)
- National identity card
- Police clearance certificates from every country you've lived in
- Form 80, if requested
- Statutory declarations covering the history of your relationship
- Joint bank statements or financial commitments
- Shared household documents — rental agreements, utility bills, lease agreements
- Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, shared invitations
- Correspondence showing ongoing communication and planning togethe
- Statutory declarations from friends and family
Questions or need a hand at any point in the process — our team is here for it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s why we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive to make your experience as smooth as possible.
How long does the offshore Partner visa take?
Processing time varies with case complexity and location, and can run well over a year in current conditions— we’ll give you a realistic estimate based on current Department processing patterns at consultation, rather
than a generic figure that may not reflect your situation.
Can I visit Australia while my 309 application is being processed?
This depends on your visa status at the time — it’s a question worth raising directly with your migration agent before making travel plans, as the answer affects your application differently depending on individual circumstances.
Living apart from your Australian partner?
Let's talk through the offshore Partner visa pathway and what your specific application will need.
