Subclass 309 · Partner, family and parent visas · Stream of Partner visas (apply overseas)
Partner (Provisional) visa
The same partner visa for couples where the applicant is outside Australia when they apply. The temporary 309 is granted first, usually while the applicant is still overseas, and the permanent 100 follows.
This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
- Stay
Temporarily until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application is finalised or you withdraw your application.
- Government charge
From AUD11,710.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
- Visa type
Temporary
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Reading asFor Applicants
Overview
Stay
Temporarily until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application is finalised or you withdraw your application.
Government charge
From AUD11,710.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Partner visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. See About this visa.
To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account other costs relating to your visa.
Processing times
Processing times for Partner visa applications vary. Partner visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
With this visa you can
- live, work and study in Australia while we process your permanent Partner visa
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
- attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program if you are eligible
- apply for access to Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare.
You must
- be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- have your spouse or de facto partner sponsor you
- be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, along with family that apply with you
- be in or outside Australia when we decide your temporary visa application.
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
About this visa
With this visa you can
- Live, work and study
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
- attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program if you are eligible
- apply for access to Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare.
How long you can stay
You can stay in Australia until your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application is finalised or you withdraw your application.
For information on processing times for the permanent stage, see Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100).
Include family members
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you lodge your visa application.
You can add a dependent child after you lodge your application but before we decide on your temporary visa.
Family members who apply with you must:
- be members of the family unit
- meet our health requirement
- meet our character requirement
- be outside Australia.
Family members who are not coming to Australia might also have to meet our health and character requirement.
Newborn children
For information on what to do if your child is born after you apply, see You had a baby.
Cost
The costs below cover this Temporary visa and the Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
AUD11,710.00 for the main applicant. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
There is also a fee for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
We cannot process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge.
You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
To work out how much your visa will cost, including adding additional family members, use the Visa pricing estimator.
The estimator does not take into account the costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Partner visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.
We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants when they apply with a valid passport from one of the specified countries.
Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu.
Apply for this visa
You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa. Family who apply with you must also be outside Australia.
Your obligations
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See what conditions might be attached to this visa on our visa conditions page.
Adequate health insurance
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to access Australia’s public health care system, Medicare, while you await a decision on your visa application. For more information, see Medicare.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, we recommend you take out health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need while in Australia. Otherwise, you will be personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.
For more information, see Adequate health insurance.
Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal health care agreements.
Private health insurance
You can get Australian residents' private health insurance if you have:
- an interim (blue) Medicare card
- a full (green) Medicare card.
Travel
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while you hold this visa.
First entry arrival date
If you are outside Australia at the time of visa grant, you must enter Australia before the first entry arrival date (first entry, arrive by) specified in your grant letter.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Frequently asked questions
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Eligibility
You must meet all of these criteria to be eligible for this visa.
To be eligible for this visa you must:
- not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
- be outside Australia when you apply
- have a sponsor
- be the right age
- meet relationship requirements
- meet our health requirement
- meet our character requirement
- have no debt to the Australian Government
- sign the Australian values statement
- best interests of the child.
Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused, see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Be outside Australia when you apply
You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa. Family who apply with you must also be outside Australia.
Have a sponsor
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and when you are on this visa.
Your sponsor is usually your partner.
We must approve your sponsor.
You cannot change your sponsor. The person who sponsors you when you apply for the visa must be the same person who sponsors you for 2 years after we grant your temporary partner visa (subclass 309).
Your sponsor should apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you apply for this visa.
Select the 'For Sponsors' switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Be the right age
Married applicants must usually be 18 or older when they apply. This is because usually, you must be 18 or older to be married under Australian law.
Applicants in de facto relationships must be 18 or older when they apply.
Meet relationship requirements
In most cases, you must be the spouse or de facto partner of an:
- Australian citizen
- Australian permanent resident or
- eligible New Zealand citizen.
This applies when you make your application and when your application is being decided.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. You can apply for consideration to be granted your temporary and permanent visa. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
For more information, see Changes in your situation.
Spouse
To be a spouse, you must be in a married relationship.
Forced marriage
Forced marriage is when a person (or both people) gets married without freely and fully consenting. They may be tricked, threatened or pressured into getting married, or they are incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.
Forced marriage is a crime in Australia.
If you or someone you know is in, or at risk of, a forced marriage you can seek help. For more information, see Forced marriage | Attorney-General's Department.
De facto partners
To be a de facto partner, you must be in a de facto relationship.
Usually you must be in your de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply for this visa. Time spent dating or in an online relationship might not count as being in a de facto relationship.
The 12-month requirement will not apply if you can show us compelling and compassionate circumstances exist for you to be granted the provisional Partner visa (subclass 309).
The 12-month requirement also will not apply if:
- your de facto partner holds or held a permanent humanitarian visa; and
- your de facto relationship existed before we granted their visa; and
- your de facto partner told us about the relationship before we granted their visa.
It also will not apply if:
- you are in a de facto relationship with a partner who is an applicant for a permanent humanitarian visa, or
- you have registered your relationship with an Australian State or Territory authority such as a registry of births, deaths and marriages.
Meet our health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement. We might ask for health information about family not coming to Australia with you.
Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement. We might ask for character information about family not coming to Australia with you.
Have no debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must pay it back or arrange to pay it back.
This may include family members who do not accompany you to Australia.
Sign the Australian values statement
You and any family members who apply with you who are 18 years of age or older, must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet and
- sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step by step
Follow this step by step guide.
1Before you apply
There are things you need to know and might need to do before you apply.
Processing times
Processing times for Partner visa applications vary. Partner visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Get help with your application
You can appoint anyone to receive correspondence relating to your visa application.
To appoint someone to receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
If you need help with your application, you can appoint someone to give you immigration assistance. A person who gives you immigration assistance can:
- discuss your application with us
- give us information
- send and receive correspondence about your application.
We treat any correspondence they send as if it came from you.
If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
To appoint someone to provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (225KB PDF).
For more information, see who can help you with your application.
2Gather and prepare your documents
You should provide all required information with your application, or as soon as possible after you apply.
You have the option to get your police certificates before you apply. However, for immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Before you get your police certificates, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
Ensure that all information you provide is accurate. As a visa applicant, you must prove your identity and provide true information with your application. For more information see Providing accurate information.
Your sponsor should apply to sponsor you as soon as possible after you apply for this visa.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Identity documents
Provide a birth certificate showing the names of both parents.
If you cannot provide this, provide the identification page for one of the following:
- family book showing the names of both parents
- identification document issued by the government
- court-issued document that proves your identity
- family census register.
Also provide:
- the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details and passport issue and expiry dates
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name, if applicable, such as:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by.
Evidence of relationships
You need to provide evidence of:
- your relationship with your partner
- any former relationships
- any dependants you have.
Your relationship with your partner
You must provide evidence of your relationship with your spouse or de facto partner.
Relationship history
Tell us in writing about:
- how, when and where you first met
- how the relationship developed
- when you moved in together, got engaged or married
- what you do together
- time you spent apart
- significant events in the relationship
- your plans for the future.
Relationship documents
If you are married, provide your marriage certificate or other evidence that your marriage is valid in Australia.
If you are a de facto partner, you need to provide evidence of your de facto relationship.
Evidence of your de facto relationship
In addition to documents proving your relationship, show us you have been in your de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you applied for this visa.
If you haven't been with your de facto partner for 12 months, you can:
- provide evidence you have registered your relationship with an Australian State/Territory births, deaths and marriages agency or
- tell us in writing about any compelling and compassionate circumstances for us to grant the visa.
Supporting evidence of the relationship
Finances
Evidence you and your partner share financial matters. Evidence can include:
- joint mortgage or lease documents
- joint loan documents for major assets like homes, cars or major appliances
- joint bank account statements
- household bills in both names.
Your household
Evidence you and your partner share domestic matters. Evidence can include:
- a statement about how you share housework
- household bills in both names
- mail or emails addressed to you both
- documents that show joint responsibility for children
- documents that prove your living arrangements.
Social matters
Evidence that others know about your relationship.
You must provide statements from 2 witnesses who:
- are 18 years old or older
- know you and your spouse or de facto partner
- know about your relationship.
Statements from witnesses can be done by completing Form 888 – Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application (241KB PDF).
If the witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, provide evidence of this such as a passport or birth certificate.
Evidence can also include:
- joint invitations or evidence you go out together
- proof you have friends in common
- proof you have told government, public or commercial bodies about your relationship
- proof you do joint sporting, cultural or social activities together
- proof you travel together.
Commitment
Evidence you are committed to a long-term relationship with each other. Evidence must show that you:
- have knowledge of each other’s background, family situation or other personal details.
- have combined your personal matters
- stay in touch when apart
- are not related by family.
You can also provide the terms of your wills as evidence.
Former relationships
If you have previously been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.
Dependants under 18
For each of the members of the family unit under 18 years old applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- evidence of your relationship with your dependant, like a birth or marriage certificate
- health examinations
- character documents, if the dependant is 16 or 17 years of age
- adoption papers or parental court orders, if applicable
- evidence of enrolment at school, college or university, if applicable
- evidence of sole custody, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child.
They must complete Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (240KB PDF).
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of the child's home country allow them to leave their home country permanently.
Dependants over 18
To include members of the family unit who are over 18 in your visa application, they must be:
- over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and dependent on you or your partner, or
- over 23 years of age and unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and dependent on you or your partner.
Provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- health examinations
- character documents.
You must also provide evidence the child is dependent on you. This includes:
- evidence of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- evidence of financial dependence such as bank statements, money transfers and rent receipts
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over (241KB PDF).
If the child is aged 23 or is likely to turn 23 while your application is being processed, you must also provide a report from a qualified medical practitioner that states they are dependent on you or your partner due to the total or partial loss of their bodily or mental functions.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. On each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear enough to read.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
You do not need to have any documents certified.
3Apply for the visa
You must apply:
- online
- outside Australia.
Using our website and protections to your privacy
We take our obligation to protect your privacy seriously. We provide a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your personal safety online:
- Make sure you give us your contact details when you apply for your visa and tell us if they have changed. We may need to contact you directly even if you have:
- nominated your sponsor’s email address for all electronic correspondence
- appointed your sponsor or someone else to receive your correspondence as your authorised recipient
- appointed someone to give you immigration assistance.
- Protect your ImmiAccount, email account and passwords. Don’t share them with anyone.
For more information see Using our website.
How to apply
- Login or create an ImmiAccount.
- Select ‘New application’.
- Select ‘Family’.
- Select ‘Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa’.
- Attach documents.
- Pay the application charge. We will not process your application until you pay.
- Note the Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Your sponsor will need the TRN to apply for sponsorship.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information on how to apply as a sponsor.
Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.
Clearly label your documents.
You can attach up to 100 documents for each person on your application.
The attachment limit cannot be increased.
If you reach the attachment limit for an applicant, you can attach more documents to other clients on the application.
For more information see Applying online in ImmiAccount .
Frequently asked questions
A list of common questions and answers is available at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
As Partner applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to Visa processing times.
We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
The results of your health assessment are valid for 12 months from the time you complete your examinations. If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, this is for 6 months.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Be sponsored
You and anyone who applies for the visa with you must have a sponsor when you lodge your application and when you are on this visa.
After you apply for this visa, give your sponsor your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or application ID. Your sponsor can then apply to sponsor you.
Select the ‘For Sponsors’ switch at the top of this page for information about sponsorship.
Health examinations
You need to have health examinations.
The results of your health assessment are valid for 12 months from the date you complete your examinations. If we ask you to sign a health undertaking, this is valid for 6 months.
Before you complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
To organise your health examinations, see What health examinations you need.
For more information on health requirements see Health.
Character documents
If you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years (since you turned 16), you must provide an Australian police certificate.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
To get an Australian police certificate see National Police Checks.
Also provide:
- a police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in, in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country.
To get an overseas police certificate, see Services outside Australia.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Before deciding when to obtain your police certificates, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
Complete and attach to your application Form 80 Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment (596KB PDF).
Further information is available at: Character requirements for visas
Status updates
Do not contact us if your application is within the current standard processing time. We cannot provide any further updates on your application's progress. You can check the status of your visa application and if you have provided all supporting documents through ImmiAccount.
To see current standard processing times for this visa refer to Global processing times. The estimated timeframe is based on how long it has taken to process recently decided applications. It does not guarantee that your application will be decided within the current standard processing timeframe.
As Partner visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Travel
Do not arrange to travel to Australia on this visa until we let you know, in writing, that we have granted you the subclass 309 visa.
Biometrics
Attach more information
If you did not attach all required documents when you applied, attach them in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We might ask you to provide more information.
As Partner visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online in ImmiAccount. If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all required documents when you applied, attach them in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We might ask you to provide more information.
As Partner visa applications can have long visa processing times, you should update your documents and evidence of your relationship regularly through ImmiAccount.
Before you get your police certificates and complete your health examinations, you should refer to the Visa processing times. We may ask you to provide them again if they expire before we decide your visa.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online in ImmiAccount.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Add family members
You can add a dependent child to your application before we decide your visa. Your child must be outside Australia.
Complete and attach to your ImmiAccount Form 1436 - Adding an additional applicant after lodgement (481KB PDF).
After you have attached the form, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
We can grant your child the subclass 309 visa if they are members of the family unit and meet all other criteria for grant.
Newborn Children
If you have a baby, you will need to let us know.
For more information, see You had a baby.
Tell us if your details have changed
See here for changes to your contact details, address or passport
Tell us if things change
Tell us if things change after you apply but before we have made a decision.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- any other changes relevant to your application
- a request to withdraw your application.
For more information, see Change in your situation.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If your relationship ends
Depending on your situation you may need to complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in ImmiAccount. To confirm, check Your relationship has changed.
Your online safety
To ensure your personal safety online we recommend that you:
- change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible
- do not use saved passwords to access your ImmiAccount
- change your email password or consider setting up a new email account.
To see how you can increase your personal safety you can use the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount, you can notify us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
You may still be eligible for a temporary and permanent visa if your relationship ends or your partner dies. All information you provide is confidential.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. You may still be eligible for the grant of your temporary and permanent visa if you have entered Australia since lodging your application. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
Stay lawful
If you travel to Australia on a different visa while this visa application is in progress, you are responsible for ensuring that you continue to hold a valid visa for the duration of your stay.
No longer need help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
After you have attached the form to ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you have made a mistake on your application.
For more information see After you apply
If you are unable to update your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
5Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when we decide on your temporary visa application.
If your relationship ends or your partner dies, you may still be eligible for a temporary and permanent visa. For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
We will tell you our decision in writing. Keep a copy of the decision.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions, if applicable.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
We will not refund the application fee if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
What you can do on this visa
- live, work and study in Australia
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want
- attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program if you are eligible
- enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
How long you can stay
You can stay until we make a decision about your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) or you withdraw that application.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
Use VEVO to check visa details and conditions.
Travel on your visa
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want.
First entry arrival date
If you are outside Australia at the time of visa grant, you must enter Australia before the first entry arrival date (first entry, arrive by) specified in your grant letter.
You can travel to Australia with an expired first entry arrival date if your visa is still valid. Your visa may still be subject to cancellation before arrival or at the border.
To see if your visa is still valid, use VEVO.
New Zealand passport holders
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at our border, we recommend you tell them:
- you have a temporary Partner visa
- you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
If you do not tell them, you might be granted the 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa will override your temporary Partner visa. This means you will not be eligible for the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Prove you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Australian visas are digital. We do not put a visa label in your passport. Instead, we link your digital visa record to your passport.
Your visa number is contained in your visa grant letter. Use this number to access your digital visa record in VEVO.
Your digital visa record is also used by:
- airlines to check your visa before you board your flight
- Australian government agencies to check your identity and visa conditions
- employers, banks or other registered organisations to check your visa conditions.
Working
With this visa you will have full work rights and are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Studying
With this visa you will be able to study in Australia. However you will not receive any government support and any study costs will be at your own expense.
Access Australian Government benefits
You might have to wait to access certain Australian Government payments and benefits. Learn more about newly arrived residents' waiting periods from Services Australia.
Bring a family member
Add dependent children to your application
You cannot add family members to your visa application after we grant the Partner (Provisional) visa subclass 309.
To include a dependent child in your permanent visa application after we have granted you a subclass 309 visa, but before we have finalised your permanent Partner visa (subclass 100), your child must first apply for Dependent child visa (subclass 445).
Once your child holds a Dependent child visa (subclass 445), you can include them in your permanent Partner visa application. Your child can be in or outside Australia and must be members of the family unit.
Complete and attach to your application in ImmiAccount Form 1002 - Application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa.
After you have attached the form to ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Newborn children
If you have a baby after you have been granted this visa, you will need to let us know. For more information, see You had a baby.
After you have attached the form to ImmiAccount, let us know by using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Tell us if your details have changed
See here for changes to your contact details, address or passport
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child
- any other changes relevant to your application
See what to do if there is a change in your situation.
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount you can let us know by us completing the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If your relationship ends
Depending on your situation you may need to complete the Notification of Relationship Cessation form in ImmiAccount. To confirm, check Your relationship has changed.
Your online safety
To ensure your personal safety online we recommend that you:
- change your ImmiAccount password as soon as possible
- do not use saved passwords to access your ImmiAccount
- change your email password or consider setting up a new email account.
To see how you can increase your personal safety you can use the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount, you can notify us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
You may still be eligible for the permanent visa if your relationship ends or your partner dies. All information you provide is confidential.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. You may still be eligible for the grant of your permanent visa. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
Do not get another visa
To get the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100), you must hold this subclass 309 visa or the Dependent child visa (subclass 445). If you are granted any other visa, you will no longer be eligible for the grant of the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Gather documents for the permanent Partner visa
You are eligible for consideration of a permanent Partner visa two years after you first applied for the temporary and permanent Partner visas. You can check the date you submitted your application in ImmiAccount.
When we assess you for the permanent visa, you will need to provide additional documents.
For more information see Partner visa (subclass 100).
Reading asFor Sponsors
Overview
Stay
The visa applicant can stay temporarily until their permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application is finalised or they withdraw their application.
Government charge
No Cost
Processing times
Processing times for Partner visa applications vary. Partner visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
With this sponsorship you can
- Have your spouse or de facto partner live, work and study in Australia temporarily
You must
You must sponsor your spouse or de facto partner and their family members included in their application.
As a sponsor, you must assist your partner and their family members included in their application, financially and with their accommodation.
About this visa
Your obligations
You must sponsor your partner and their family members included in their application.
As a sponsor, must assist your partner and their family members included in their application, financially and with their accommodation.
Cost
No Cost.
How long sponsorship lasts
When your sponsorship ends will depend on where the visa applicants are when we grant their temporary partner visa.
Your sponsorship will end 2 years after:
- the visa is granted, if the applicants are in Australia at the time of grant, or
- their next arrival in Australia, if they are outside Australia at the time of grant.
This is the case even if we grant their permanent partner visa straight after their temporary partner visa.
Apply to sponsor
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply to sponsor.
Frequently asked questions
You can find the answers to common questions about this visa at Partner Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Eligibility
You must meet all of these criteria to be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner.
Be suitable to sponsor
You must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
If you are a New Zealand citizen and do not meet the eligibility criteria to sponsor your partner for this visa, your partner might be eligible for a New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461).
We must approve your sponsorship.
Meet our character requirements
Most sponsors will need to meet our character requirements to be eligible to sponsor someone for this visa.
We might not approve you as a sponsor if:
- you have a significant criminal record in relation to relevant offences
- you refuse to provide us with a police clearance, or
- you do not consent to the disclosure of your convictions to the applicant.
We do not include convictions for relevant offences that have been quashed or otherwise nullified or pardoned.
Measures for the protection of children
There are limitations on sponsorship if the sponsor has been convicted of certain offences involving children.
See more about measures for the protection of children.
Be the right age
You must be 18 years old or older.
If you are under 18 and you are married to the applicant, your parent or guardian might be able to sponsor your partner.
Limitations on sponsorship
We may refuse your sponsorship application and the visa application if the below sponsorship limitations apply to you.
Previously sponsored or held a Prospective Marriage or Partner visa
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if:
- this is your third time sponsoring someone for a Partner visa or Prospective Marriage visa
- you have sponsored another partner within the last 5 years or
- you were sponsored as a partner within the last 5 years.
You might still be able to sponsor someone for this visa in circumstances where:
- you and your partner (the applicant) have a dependent child who is dependent on each of you or
- your previous partner died or
- your previous partner left the relationship and there are children dependent on you for care and support or
- your relationship with your partner (the applicant) is longstanding.
Contributory parent visa holders
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if:
- your partner was your spouse or de facto partner before we granted you that visa, and
- it has been less than 5 years since we granted you that visa.
Woman at Risk visa holders
We may refuse your sponsorship and your partner’s visa application if you were granted a subclass 204 visa in the 5 years before your partner applied and on the date that you were granted that visa you were divorced or permanently separated from the applicant, or the applicant was your spouse or de facto partner but you did not tell us about them at the time.
Forced marriage
We may refuse your partner’s visa application if you and your partner are found to be in a forced marriage. Forced marriage is a crime in Australia.
Forced marriage is when a person (or both people) gets married without freely and fully consenting. They may be tricked, threatened or pressured into getting married, or they are incapable of understanding the nature and effect of a marriage ceremony, for reasons including age or mental capacity.
If you or someone you know is in, or at risk of, a forced marriage you can seek help. For more information, see Forced marriage | Attorney-General's Department.
Step by step
Follow this step by step guide.
1Before you apply
Before you apply to sponsor a visa applicant, make sure:
- the applicant is eligible for the visa
- you can meet your sponsor obligations.
Processing times
Processing times for Partner visa applications vary. Partner visa applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your partner’s visa application.
Applications are processed according to Ministerial Direction 117. For more information, see Family visa processing priorities.
You can find the answers to common questions about Partner visa processing times at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Get help with your sponsorship application
Only some people can help you with your sponsorship application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your sponsorship matter.
2Gather and prepare your documents
You should provide all required information with your application, or as soon as possible after applying to sponsor a visa applicant.
Ensure that all information you provide is accurate. As a sponsorship applicant, you must prove your identity and provide true information with your application.
For more information see Providing accurate information.
Identity documents
You must provide evidence that you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
You must provide:
- a copy of your passport
- a copy of your birth certificate
- a photo of your face.
If you are an Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you must provide evidence that you usually live in Australia. This evidence can include documents that show you:
- maintain a home in Australia
- work in Australia
- own property, business or other interests in Australia
- have family and other ties in the same place you live.
If you are sponsoring on behalf of your child
If you are sponsoring the applicant on behalf of your child who is married to the applicant but under 18, provide:
- an official document allowing the marriage between your child and the visa applicant
- evidence you are the parent or guardian of your child.
Character documents
To show that you meet the additional sponsor requirements, you need to provide an Australian police certificate.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
To get an Australian police certificate see National Police Checks.
You also need to provide an overseas police certificate from every country where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
To get an overseas police certificate, see Services outside Australia.
For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date. If they expire before we decide the visa application, we will let you know if you need to provide them again.
You must also provide written consent for us to disclose any convictions for relevant offences to the visa applicant.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. On each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear enough to read.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
3Apply
You must apply online.
You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply to sponsor.
Apply after the applicant has applied for their visa and given you their Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or application ID.
You can apply using your partner’s ImmiAccount, or your own ImmiAccount. You can create your own ImmiAccount if you don't have one.
Using our website and protections to your privacy
We take our obligation to protect your privacy seriously. We provide a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your personal safety online:
- Make sure you give us your contact details when you apply to sponsor and tell us if they have changed. We may need to contact you directly even if you have:
- appointed your partner or someone else to receive your correspondence as your authorised recipient
- appointed someone to give you immigration assistance.
- Protect your ImmiAccount, email account and passwords. Don’t share them with anyone.
For more information see Using our website.
How to apply
- Log in to ImmiAccount
- Select ‘New application’
- Select ‘Family’
- Select ‘Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia’.
- Complete your application using the transaction reference number (TRN) given to you by the visa applicant.
- Attach documents.
Frequently asked questions
A list of common questions and answers is available at Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
4After you apply
We will let you know in ImmiAccount when we have received your application.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them to your application in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.
We will ask you to provide more information if needed.
For more information on attaching documents in ImmiAccount see Applying online or paper.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Tell us if things change
Tell us if things change after you apply but before we've made a decision.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your contact details, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- any other changes relevant to your application
- a request to withdraw your application
For more information, see Change in your situation.
If you are unable to upload the relevant documents to your application in ImmiAccount, you need to contact us using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If your relationship ends
Contact us as soon as possible using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Your online safety
We are committed to protecting your privacy and providing a secure online environment, but you can do more to ensure your safety.
To see how you can increase your personal safety, check the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist page.
Your partner may not be granted a visa as a result of your information about the ending of your relationship however the Department will not correspond with you about your ex-partner’s visa application. You can also withdraw your sponsorship application any time before we decide on the visa application.
For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
Withdraw your sponsorship application
You can withdraw your sponsorship application any time before we decide on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application.
Contact us as soon as possible using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
Removing an online application from ImmiAccount does not withdraw it. You must tell us in writing that you no longer want to sponsor your former partner or spouse.
For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
5Sponsor application outcome
We will let the visa applicant know our decision in writing.
When you are a sponsor
Your obligations
You must sponsor your partner and their family members included in their application.
As a sponsor, you must assist your partner and their family members included in their application financially and with their accommodation.
How long your sponsorship lasts
When your sponsorship ends will depend on where the visa applicants are when we grant their temporary partner visa.
Your sponsorship will end 2 years after:
- the visa is granted, if the applicants are in Australia at the time of grant, or
- their next arrival in Australia, if they are outside Australia at the time of grant.
This is the case even if we grant their permanent partner visa straight after their temporary partner visa.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your contact details
- if your relationship ends.
For more information, see Changes in your situation.
If you do not have access to ImmiAccount you can let us know by us completing the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, there is support available. For more information, see Family Violence Provisions.
Withdraw your sponsorship
You cannot withdraw as a sponsor for the Subclass 309 after we grant the visa.
However, you can withdraw your sponsorship application any time before we decide on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) application. The applicant may still be eligible for the permanent partner visa.
For more information, see Your relationship has changed.
All streams of the Partner visas (apply overseas)
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
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Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.