Build Your Future Together in Australia
Thinking about applying for a Partner Visa Australia? Whether you are married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, Success Education Consultants can guide you through the Partner Visa application process.
Partner Visa Australia
To qualify for a Partner Visa Australia, you generally need to be either:
- Married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- In a de facto relationship, unless exempt, with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen at the time of applying.
If you lodge your Partner Visa application while in Australia, you may receive a Bridging Visa associated with your application. Work and study conditions can depend on the previous visa you held and its conditions.
Partner Visa Options
Subclass
820
The eight Go8 universities are:
- Temporary visa
- Leads directly to the permanent Partner Visa
- You must be in Australia when you apply
Subclass
801
Partner Visa Permanent
- Permanent visa
- You must hold a Temporary Partner Visa Subclass 820.
Offshore Partner Visa
Subclass
309
Partner Visa Temporary
The Subclass 309/100 Partner Visa is an offshore pathway for the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.
Subclass
100
Partner Visa Permanent
The Subclass 100 is the permanent stage following the temporary Subclass 309 visa.
Prospective Partner Visa
Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage Visa
The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa allows you to come to Australia to marry your prospective spouse and then apply for a Partner Visa.
How to Apply for a Partner Visa
If you want to lodge your Partner Visa yourself, you need to:
01
Create an ImmiAccount
02
Complete the relevant application form
03
The sponsor uses the TRN to submit the sponsorship form
04
Complete the required forms
05
Pay the Partner Visa application fee
06
Review and submit the application
07
Attach all required documents
Need help with your application?
There is also an option to lodge the application by post, although the provided content does not recommend this because it can be harder to track and attach documents later.
Temporary to Permanent Partner Visa
If you meet the relevant criteria, you will initially be granted a Temporary Partner Visa:
Subclass
820
for onshore applications
Subclass
309
for offshore applications
You remain on the temporary visa until you receive the permanent Partner Visa:
Subclass
801
Subclass
100
You will usually be eligible to apply for the permanent Partner Visa after 2 years on the temporary visa.
Partner Visa Eligibility
There are two main eligibility pathways:
Married Relationship
If you are in Australia and applying through the marriage pathway, you need to be legally married to your partner.
If you are applying offshore, you need to either:
Be legally married in your country of residence or another country
Intend to get married in the near future before a decision is made on your Temporary Partner Visa.
De Facto Relationship
You and your partner are in a de facto relationship when:
You are not legally married to each other
You are committed to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
Your relationship is genuine and continuing
You live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis
You are not related by family
The relationship can be between people of the same or different sex.
De Facto Relationship Requirement
Usually, your de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months immediately before you apply.Time spent dating or in an online relationship does not count as being in a de facto relationship.If your relationship has existed for less than 12 months, you may still be eligible in certain circumstances where an exemption to the one-year relationship requirement applies.
Relationship Requirements
Your relationship should demonstrate that:
You and your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life
The relationship is genuine, ongoing, and based on mutual commitment.
You live together or do not live separately
and apart on a permanent basis
You meet the applicable health and character requirements.
Partner Visa Document Checklist
Applicant Documents
- Two Form 888 statutory declarations from supporting witnesses
- Evidence that your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Marriage certificate if married
- Documents proving your de facto relationship if applicable.
- Birth certificate showing the names of both parents
- Family book identification pages
- Government-issued identification document
- Court-issued document proving identity
- Family census register
- Current passport identification page
- Two recent passport photographs
- National identity card, if applicable
- Proof of change of name, if applicable.
- Completed Form 80
- Police certificates
- Military service records or discharge papers, if applicable.
If you have previously been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide the relevant divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.
Sponsor Document Checklist
The sponsor can lodge their sponsorship form online after the partner has lodged their visa application and provided the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or application ID.
Identity Documents
Proof that the sponsor is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
If the sponsor is an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, proof they usually live in Australia
Character Documents
Police certificates
Military service records or discharge papers, if applicable.
Sponsor Document Checklist
01
Know the details of the appropriate visa subclass.
02
Start establishing evidence of your relationship.
03
Save money for the application fees.
04
Give yourself enough time to prepare your application.
05
Provide clear, in-colour evidence translated into English by an Accredited Translator.
06
Do not provide original documents unless required.
07
Get copies of evidence certified when required.
08
Review the appropriate application forms in advance.
09
Have someone else review your application.
10
Make sure you and your partner provide matching information, especially dates.
11
Provide true, accurate and complete information.
12
Keep immigration updated if your address, phone number or email changes.
13
Submit a complete application only when you are certain you meet the criteria.
14
Understand your visa conditions while waiting for a decision.
15
Consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent.
How Success Education Consultants Can Help
At Success Education Consultants, we can help you understand the general process involved in skilled migration.
Partner Visa Guidance
Understand the Partner Visa pathway that applies to your circumstances.
Eligibility Guidance
Get guidance on the relevant eligibility requirements.
Documentation Guidance
Understand the documents and relationship evidence required for your application.
Application Support
Get step-by-step guidance through the Partner Visa application process.
Visa Pathway Guidance
Understand the difference between Subclass 820/801, 309/100 and Subclass 300.
Migration Consultation
Speak with a Registered Migration Agent for personalised guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you will need to show that the previous relationship has ended. Australia does not recognize most polygamous relationships or marriages.
The de facto relationship generally needs to have existed for 12 months, although exemptions may apply in certain circumstances.
Yes, the provided content states that a de facto relationship can be with someone of the same or different sex.
Health requirements apply, and the relevant health examination process may be required as part of the application.
Work rights can depend on your previous visa and the conditions attached to your Bridging Visa.
Character requirements apply to Partner Visa applications, and relevant police and character documents may be required.