The Partner visas allow the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. There are two main visa streams: one for applicants outside Australia (subclasses 309 and 100), and one for those already in Australia (subclasses 820 and 801). The process involves applying for both a temporary and permanent visa together.
Subclass 309 & Subclass 100 – Partner Visa (Apply Overseas)
Subclass 309 – Partner (Provisional) Visa (Temporary)
This is the temporary visa granted to the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It is the first step toward a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be in a genuine relationship with your sponsor (spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen).
- Your sponsor must agree to sponsor you.
- You must be outside Australia when applying for this visa (family members must also apply from outside Australia).
- You must be in or outside Australia when the decision is made.
What You Can Do:
- Live, work, and study in Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the validity of the visa.
- Attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible).
- Access Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare (if eligible).
Sponsor’s Obligations:
- As a sponsor, you must provide financial and accommodation support to your partner and any family members included in the application.
Subclass 100 – Partner (Migrant) Visa (Permanent)
This is the permanent visa granted to the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, usually after holding the temporary Partner visa (subclass 309).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Hold a temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) or a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).
- Continue to be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your sponsor.
What You Can Do:
- Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Access Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible).
- Attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible).
Sponsor’s Obligations:
- The sponsor must continue to be married or in a de facto relationship with the applicant.
- Provide financial and accommodation support for the applicant and family members included in the application.
Subclass 820 & Subclass 801 – Partner Visa (Apply in Australia)
Subclass 820 – Partner Visa (Temporary)
This is the temporary visa granted to the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, when applying from within Australia. It is the first step toward the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be in a genuine relationship with your Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen sponsor.
- Apply from within Australia.
- Your sponsor must agree to sponsor you.
What You Can Do:
- Live, work, and study in Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the visa validity.
- Attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible).
- Access Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
Sponsor’s Obligations:
- As a sponsor, you must financially assist and provide accommodation for your partner and any family members included in the application.
Subclass 801 – Partner Visa (Permanent)
This is the permanent visa granted to the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, usually after holding the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820) or a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).
- Continue to be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your sponsor.
What You Can Do:
- Live, work, and study in Australia.
- Access Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
- Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible).
- Attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (if eligible).
Sponsor’s Obligations:
- The sponsor must continue to be married or in a de facto relationship with the applicant.
- Provide financial and accommodation support for the applicant and any family members included in the application.
General Sponsor Obligations
- Sponsors must support the applicant financially and with accommodation for the first 2 years of their stay in Australia.
- The sponsor must also ensure that the applicant complies with all visa conditions and Australian laws during their stay.
These Partner visas offer a pathway for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live in Australia, with temporary and permanent options available depending on where the application is made and the stage of the relationship.