Partner Visa (Subclass 309 &100) Australia

For many couples, building a future together in Australia marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter that is filled with shared plans and long-term goals. To turn those plans into reality, choosing the right visa becomes an important step in the process. One such visa is the Partner Visa (Subclass 309 and 100), which is mainly designed for offshore applicants. This partner visa Australia allows eligible couples to progress from temporary residency to permanent residency while continuing their life together in Australia.

The Partner Visa (Subclass 309 and 100) offers an offshore visa pathway, and it is classified into two stages. It allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily/permanently. The following is a brief look at each of these Partner Visa Subclasses:

The partner provisional visa subclass 309 is the temporary stage of this partner visa pathway. It allows applicants to apply for the visa from outside Australia to join their partner and begin living together in the nation, while the permanent stage is being assessed.

The Partner Visa Subclass 100 is the permanent stage of this partner visa pathway. Once it gets granted, the visa enables permanent resident status for applicants. This visa also allows approved applicants to work and study rights, along with access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare services).

In order to qualify for this partner visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Your sponsor must be either your spouse or your de facto partner. They should be either an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen.
• You should be above 18 years of age (unless there is an exception).
• Relationships of both parties should be genuine.
• Make sure you meet the health checkup and character requirements.
• You must not owe any money to the government of Australia.

A well-prepared application helps demonstrate the continuity of the relationship throughout the assessment process. Some important factors that can strengthen the visa subclass 100 and 309 application include:

• Proof of an ongoing and genuine relationship.
• Evidence of shared plans for the future, including accommodation, travel plans or commitments.
• Have the required English proficiency.
• Proof of social acceptance of the relationship by family and friends.

English language proficiency for spouse visa subclass 309 and 100 applicants can further strengthen your application. Some of the commonly accepted Functional English test scores taken on or after 7 August 2025 include:

• IELTS Academic: Average band score of at least 4.5.
• PTE Academic: The PTE Academic results should be a minimum of 24 as the overall score.
• TOEFL iBT: Total score of at least 26.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Applicants must score a minimum of 147 in this test.
• Occupational English Test (OET): Overall score of at least 1020.

You can also take assistance from an immigration agent Perth to take the most suitable test as per your application.

Documents with consistent information help immigration authorities to assess the partner visa 100 and 309 application details more efficiently. The most important documents for this visa include:

• Passport.
• Birth certificates.
• Marriage certificate (If applicable).
• Sponsorship documents.
• Police clearance certificates from countries where the applicant has lived for more than one year in the last 10 years.
• Health examination results from approved panel physicians.

The Partner Visa (Subclass 309 and 100) follows a two-stage process designed for couples planning to build their future in Australia. Applicants usually begin with a temporary visa stage and then apply for the permanent stage. The following is a brief look at each stage:

The initial phase of the Partner Visa involves an application for the subclass 309 visa. In this process, applicants have to provide sufficient documentation and evidence to prove that their relationship is indeed genuine, ongoing, and mutual. After getting the subclass 309 visa, the applicant is able to stay with their partner in Australia. The applicants also gain permission to work and study in Australia under this visa.

The second phase of the Partner Visa is an application for the Subclass 100 Visa. It is assessed approximately two years after the first partner visa under subclass 309 has been lodged. During this phase, applicants are generally required to show that the relationship is still genuine.

The processing time for the Partner Visa (Subclass 309 & 100) differs based on the individual’s documentation and application volume at the immigration authorities. The duration of the most frequently approved visas is published on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) visa processing time guide. The following table presents a brief look at the offshore partner visa 309 processing time:

*The 309 visa processing time can be changed as per the recently approved applications.

The most important aspect of the Partner Visa Subclass 309 and 100 is the government cost. As of May 2026, the estimated government charges for this visa are:

*The visa cost is subject to change as per the Australian migration authorities’ updates.

Along with the base application charges, you should also keep a financial buffer for the following aspects:

• Healthcare Checkups.
• Police Certificates.
• Any Document Translation Charges.

There are multiple aspects that define the visa conditions and your rights while holding the Partner Visa Subclass (309 and 100). The conditions of this visa include:

• Comply with Australian laws and visa regulations.
• Maintain a genuine and continuing relationship with their sponsoring partner.
• Meet health and character requirements throughout the visa process.
• Follow any additional conditions attached to the visa grant, if applicable.

At the same time, this Partner Visa brings the following benefits:

• Live, work and study in Australia.
• Access to Medicare, if eligible.
• Multiple times travelling in and out of Australia for the first five years (Renewable with Resident Return Visa Subclass 155 or 157).
• Sponsor eligible family members.
• Include eligible dependent children in the application.

The Partner Visa Provisional Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 have multiple rules for adding dependent children and family members with you in Australia. Dependent children or family members can generally be included if they are:

• Under 18 years of age.
• Between 18 and 23 years old and financially dependent on the main applicant or sponsoring partner.
• Over 23 years old and dependent due to a physical or mental limitation that affects their ability to work.

Preparing a Partner Visa application requires careful attention to detail, consistency, and accurate presentation of the relationship history. Thus, you may take the help of a regional migration expert, like a Perth migration agent, to help organise the application. A migration professional can assist couples by:

• Assessing eligibility before the application is lodged.
• Identifying the most relevant relationship evidence for the application.
• Assisting with dependent child documentation.
• Lodging your application.
• Helping you respond to any Department of Home Affairs updates.

Reunite with your partner in Australia soon! Connect with a trusted Immigration Agent in Perth today and get expert support for your visa Subclass (309 and 100) application. Their guidance cap help you collect the right documents, file the application in the right way, and execute the visa process seamlessly. Our guidance will also help you respond to any further requirements from the Department of Home Affairs. So, contact us today for a hassle-free experience!