Are you wondering how the Partner Visa (subclass 309 & 100) works and whether it is the right pathway for you and your partner? If you or your partner is applying from overseas, this visa allows you to reunite and build a life together in Australia. It is granted in two stages: a temporary stage that lets you join your partner, and a permanent stage which allows the applicant to permanently live in Australia.
This blog explains what the partner visa subclasses 309 and 100 are, eligibility criteria, required documents, how this visa works and the typical processing time.
What is the Partner visa (subclass 309 & 100)?
The partner visa subclass 309 and 100 is a two-stage offshore visa pathway that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible Australian sponsor to live in Australia. The first stage is the subclass 309 visa, where you can continue living with your partner until the decision comes out for permanent residency. The second stage is the subclass 100 visa, which allows applicants to permanently live with their partner in Australia. Let’s have a brief look at both stages:
Partner Provisional Visa (Subclass 309)
This is the first stage of the Partner Visa Subclass 309 visa. The subclass 309 visa allows you to temporarily live in Australia until the subclass 100 visa is finalised or you withdraw your application. With this visa, you can:
- Live, study in a specific domain, or work for an Australian employer
- Travel in or outside Australia as many times as you want
- Can get access to Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme
- Include your dependent child with your visa application
Partner (Migrant) visa (Subclass 100) Visa
The subclass 100 visa is the second stage of this Partner visa program. It allows you to permanently live and build a life with your partner in Australia. With the partner visa subclass 100, you can:
- Stay, study in any specific course, or work in Australia
- Access to Australia’s public healthcare scheme (Medicare)
- Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
- Add your dependent child to your application
- Travel to and from Australia, as many times as you want, for the first five years
- If eligible, you may get Australian citizenship
This visa is typically processed after 2 years of the lodgement of a partner visa subclass 309. Upon approval, if you wish to travel outside Australia after five years of stay, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Read this: What Are The Best And Easy Way To Migrate to Australia?
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Partner visa (subclass 309/100)?
To be eligible for a partner visa subclass 100 and 309, you must meet several requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. The common eligibility criteria of this visa are as follows:
- You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- You must be older than 18 years of age
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing
- Your sponsor should be your partner
- Make sure that you meet Australia’s character and health requirements
- You must apply for this visa outside Australia
- Your previous visas should not be cancelled, or your application refused
What are the Required Documents for Partner Visa Subclass 309 and 100?
Although every application requirement is different, applicants are commonly asked to submit documents that demonstrate their identity, relationship with their partner, and eligibility. Some of the typical subclass 100 & 309 visa Australia requirements are:
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Evidence of a de facto relationship
- Joint financial documents
- Shared residential evidence
- Photographs together
- Communication records
- Police clearance certificates
- Health examination results
- Sponsor’s proof of Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible New Zealand Citizenship
If you are adding your dependent child to your visa application, you may need to submit additional documents as per the immigration authorities’ requirements.
Read More: 5 Tips to get a Successful partner visa Australia in 2025!
What is the Processing Time for the?
The actual processing time of the partner visa (subclass 309/100) depends on the complexity of each application and the application volume at the immigration authorities. However, the Department of Home Affairs publishes the recently processed visa application time through the visa processing time guide.
Here is a brief summary of the subclass 100 & 309 visa processing times:
| Partner Visa Subclass | 50% of the Application | 90% of the Application |
| Subclass 309 | About 16 Months | About 27 Months |
| Subclass 100 | About 10 Months | About 24 Months |
*The above visa processing time is updated till July 2026, and it may vary for each application.
How to Reduce Processing Time?
Although the overall subclass 100 and 309 processing time depends on your application’s complexity, you can follow the steps below to keep your application progressing as smoothly as possible:
- Include all required identity, relationship, health, and character documents when you lodge your application
- Hire a migration agent in Perth to find out any discrepancies and to understand the whole application process.
- Provide strong relationship evidence
- Respond quickly to Department of Home Affairs requests
- Notify the Department if there are changes to your contact details, relationship, or personal circumstances while your application is being processed.
Final Thoughts
The Partner visa (subclass 309/100) brings an established pathway for couples to build lives together in Australia. By promptly following each stage of the visa process, you can smoothly navigate the application process for this partner visa. For more personalised guidance, consult an immigration expert like a visa agent, Perth. These professionals can help you lodge your application while staying fully compliant with the Department of Home Affairs’ requirements.
FAQs
1. Is there a minimum relationship length before I can apply for Partner Visa 309 and 100?
There is no fixed minimum for married couples, but de facto partners generally need to have been together for at least 12 months before applying.
2. Do I have to live in Australia continuously while I hold the subclass 309?
You can travel and spend time overseas, though you should keep your relationship genuine and maintain your ties to Australia.
3. What types of courses can I study on a Subclass 309 visa?
You can enrol in vocational education and training (VET) courses, university degrees, English language courses (ELICOS), and other eligible education programmes.
4. Can I work full-time while studying on a Subclass 309 visa?
Yes. The Subclass 309 visa provides unrestricted work rights, allowing you to work full-time while studying if you choose.
5. What kind of financial documents are useful for a partner subclass 100 and 309 application?
You can use joint bank account statements, shared utility bills, insurance policies, loan documents, or evidence of shared household expenses, where applicable.
