Support for partners and family members seeking to reunite and build their lives together in Australia.
Are you a skilled professional looking to build your future in Australia through state or territory nomination? The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) may provide a pathway to permanent residence for eligible skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory.
Explore Your State Nomination Options
State and territory nomination can provide an additional pathway for skilled applicants whose occupation, experience and circumstances align with the nomination requirements of a particular jurisdiction.
Because each state and territory can have its own nomination priorities and criteria, understanding where your profile may fit is an important part of planning your skilled migration pathway.
Want to join your partner and build your future together in Australia?
The Australian Partner Visa provides a pathway for eligible spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.
There are two main pathways:
The appropriate pathway depends on where you are located when you apply and your individual circumstances.
The Subclass 309 is the temporary/provisional stage for eligible partners who apply while outside Australia. It is the first step towards the permanent Subclass 100 visa.
The Subclass 100 is the permanent stage of the offshore Partner Visa pathway. Eligible applicants are assessed for the permanent visa after the required period and when the applicable requirements are satisfied.
The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage for eligible partners who apply while they are in Australia. It is the first step towards the permanent Subclass 801 visa.
The Subclass 801 is the permanent stage of the onshore Partner Visa pathway. Generally, two years must have passed since the Partner Visa application before the applicant becomes eligible for assessment for the permanent visa.
You may be eligible if you are legally married to an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and your relationship meets the relevant requirements.
You may be eligible if you are in a genuine and ongoing de facto relationship with your sponsoring partner.
Relationship Requirement
A 12-month relationship requirement generally applies to de facto applicants, although exceptions can apply in certain circumstances.
If you are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen and intend to marry your sponsor in Australia, the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) may be a separate pathway to consider.
To apply for a Partner Visa, you generally need to satisfy the applicable relationship, sponsorship, health and character requirements.
Partner Visa applications are assessed based on the specific circumstances of the applicant, sponsor and relationship.
A strong Partner Visa application should clearly demonstrate the nature and history of your relationship.
The evidence should tell a consistent and credible story about your relationship.
Depending on your circumstances, documents may include the following.
The Department may request additional evidence depending on your circumstances.
Live in Australia with your partner.
Work in Australia, subject to the conditions of the visa held.
Study in Australia, subject to the applicable visa conditions.
Progress from a temporary/provisional Partner Visa to permanent residence.
Include eligible family members where permitted.
Build a pathway towards Australian citizenship once the relevant citizenship requirements are satisfied.
Work rights depend on the visa and its conditions. Applicants should check their current conditions through VEVO rather than assuming unrestricted work rights.
If your relationship ends, this does not necessarily mean that a Partner Visa pathway must immediately end.
There are circumstances where special provisions may apply to applicants experiencing domestic or family violence.
Special provisions may apply following the death of the sponsoring partner, depending on the circumstances.
Certain circumstances involving a child of the relationship and applicable parental circumstances may be relevant.
Important: Special provisions apply and each situation should be assessed individually.
The Subclass 309/100 pathway is the offshore Partner Visa pathway. Subclass 309 is the provisional stage, followed by assessment for the permanent Subclass 100 visa when the relevant requirements are met.
The main difference is where you are when you apply:
309/100: Offshore pathway — you must be outside Australia when applying for the Subclass 309.
820/801: Onshore pathway — you must be in Australia when applying for the Subclass 820.
Processing times vary depending on the visa subclass, application completeness, relationship evidence, health and character checks, and Department of Home Affairs processing priorities.
There is no single processing time that applies to every Partner Visa application.
A 12-month de facto relationship requirement generally applies, but exceptions may be available in certain circumstances. Your individual circumstances should be assessed before applying.
Yes. Eligible same-sex spouses and de facto partners can apply where they satisfy the relevant Partner Visa requirements.
