If your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you do not have to let international borders keep you apart. The Offshore Partner Visa pathway is specifically designed for couples where the applicant is currently outside Australia.
This program uses a two-stage process applied for simultaneously through a single application and one upfront payment:
Partner Visa – Subclass 309
Partner Visa – Subclass 100
309 vs. 100: At a Glance
Visa Feature | Stage 1: Subclass 309 | Stage 2: Subclass 100 |
|---|---|---|
Visa Status | Provisional (Temporary) | Permanent Residency |
Application Location | Must be outside Australia | Can be inside or outside Australia |
Right to Work & Study | Yes (Full rights upon entry) | Yes (Full rights) |
Medicare Access | Yes | Yes |
Base Government Fee | AUD 9,365 (Covers both stages) | AUD 0 (Included in Stage 1 fee) |
Median Processing Time | 14 Months | 10 Months (From eligibility date) |
Disclaimer: The AUD 9,365 base fee covers the main applicant for both stages but excludes health checks, police clearances, or surcharges. Fees and median processing timelines are Department of Home Affairs estimates subject to change based on case complexity.
1. Stage 1: Provisional Partner Visa (Subclass 309)
The Subclass 309 visa is your initial entry step. It functions as a provisional visa, granting you the legal right to move to and live in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs evaluates your long-term permanent residency application.
What This Visa Offers
Travel to, live, work, and study in Australia while awaiting your permanent visa determination. Unrestricted Travel: Move in and out of Australia as many times as you like without affecting your visa status.
Enroll in Australia’s public health network (Medicare) and access free English classes via the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
Eligibility Criteria
You must be physically located outside Australia when you submit your application.
Both you and your sponsoring partner must be 18 years of age or older.
You must be legally married or prove you are in a genuine, ongoing de facto relationship (typically living together for at least 12 months, unless your relationship is registered).
You and any accompanying dependents must clear standard Australian medical exams and criminal history background checks.
2. Stage 2: Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 100)
The Subclass 100 visa transitions you to a full Australian permanent resident. Evaluation for this milestone begins automatically two years from the exact date you submitted your initial combined application.
What This Visa Offers
The right to remain, work, and build your life in Australia permanently.
Gain the legal right to sponsor eligible family members for their own Australian visas.
Time spent living in Australia on this visa counts directly toward your residency requirements if you choose to apply for Australian citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
You must hold a valid provisional Partner visa (Subclass 309).
You must show that your relationship has remained genuine and continuing, and that you still live with your sponsor.
Note: Key legal protections and exceptions exist to grant permanent status to applicants if the sponsor passes away or if the applicant experiences domestic or family violence.
The Four Pillars of Relationship Evidence
To secure approvals for both stages, the Department of Home Affairs measures your relationship against four strict pillars of evidence. Your application must clearly document:
Joint bank accounts, shared assets (like cars or property), and combined utility bills. Nature of the Household: Shared domestic responsibilities, joint tenancy agreements, and mail addressed to both of you at the same residence. Social Recognition: Joint invitations, proof of shared travel, and statutory declarations from friends and family (Form 888) confirming you are recognised as a couple.
Knowledge of each other's personal backgrounds, combined personal affairs, and active proof of communication during periods spent apart.
Ready to Start Your New Chapter in Australia?
Because Australian partner visas are a substantial financial and emotional commitment, ensuring your paperwork is thorough, error-free, and "decision-ready" is the best way to avoid processing delays or refusals. Let our experienced migration team take the stress out of your