If you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 is your pathway to live together permanently in Australia. This is a two-stage visa — you first get the temporary stage (309) while living outside Australia, which later transitions to the permanent stage (100) once your relationship is confirmed to be ongoing.
This guide covers everything you need to know in plain language — processing times, requirements, costs, checklist, and eligibility — updated for March 2026.
What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 309/100?
The Subclass 309 is a temporary offshore partner visa. You apply for it while you are outside Australia. Once granted, it allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while your permanent visa (Subclass 100) application is being assessed in the background.
Here is the key thing most people miss: you apply for both 309 and 100 at the same time with a single application. You do not file them separately. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) first grants the 309, and then automatically assesses you for the 100 — usually two years later — without requiring a fresh application.
Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 Australia Processing Time
Processing time is one of the most common questions, and honestly, the answer has frustrated thousands of couples over the years.
As of early 2026, the approximate processing times are:
- Subclass 309 (temporary stage): 14 to 26 months for 75% of applicants
- Subclass 100 (permanent stage): An additional 12 to 24 months after the 309 is granted
So in total, realistically plan for 2 to 4 years from application to getting your permanent visa.
These are not guaranteed timelines. The DHA processes applications based on the date of lodgement, complexity of the case, and how quickly applicants respond to requests for further information. Incomplete applications or missing documents are the biggest reason for delays.
A few things that can speed things up or slow them down:
- Submitting a clean, well-documented application from day one is the single most impactful thing you can do.
- If your sponsor has any visa compliance issues or previous immigration history, expect additional scrutiny.
- Applications involving children or step-children arrangements also tend to take longer.
You can track your application through your ImmiAccount on the DHA website.
Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 Australia Requirements
To be eligible for this visa, both you (the applicant) and your sponsor (the Australian partner) must meet certain requirements. Let’s break them down clearly.
For the Applicant (Visa Holder):
You must be in a genuine spousal or de facto relationship with your sponsor. The relationship must be mutually committed, exclusive, and ongoing at the time of application. You must be outside Australia when you apply (and ideally when the visa is decided, though there are limited exceptions).
You also need to meet health requirements — a medical examination conducted by a DHA-approved panel physician is mandatory. A police clearance certificate from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years is also required.
For the Sponsor (Australian Partner):
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. They must be at least 18 years old. They also need to be approved as a sponsor by the DHA — this involves a sponsorship assessment where the department checks that the sponsor has no history of family violence, has not sponsored multiple partners previously, and is not subject to any sponsorship bars.
For the Relationship Itself:
This is where a lot of applications succeed or fail. The DHA looks at four key aspects of your relationship:
- Financial aspects — shared bank accounts, joint assets, shared living expenses
- Nature of the household — shared residence, division of domestic duties
- Social aspects — how your relationship is recognized by family and friends, social activities together
- Commitment — future plans, communication during time apart, length of the relationship
For de facto couples, you generally need to prove you have been living together in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months before applying, unless you are registered under an Australian state or territory law as a couple.
Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 Australia Cost
The government charges a base application charge for the partner visa. As of 2026, the figures are approximately:
- Main applicant: AUD $8,850
- Additional applicant aged 18 or over: AUD $4,430
- Additional applicant under 18: AUD $2,220
These are government fees only and do not include:
- Medical examination costs (typically AUD $300–$500 per person depending on the panel physician and country)
- Police clearance fees (varies by country)
- Translation costs for documents not in English
- Migration agent or lawyer fees if you choose professional assistance (can range from AUD $2,000 to $5,000+)
The fees must be paid at the time of lodging the application and are generally non-refundable, even if your visa is refused. Always verify the current fee schedule directly on the DHA website before applying, as charges are updated periodically.
Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 Australia Checklist
Before you submit your application, use this checklist to make sure nothing is missing. Many applications are delayed simply because of overlooked documents.
Identity Documents
- Valid passport (all pages, including blank pages)
- Birth certificate
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Previous passports if you have changed nationality
Relationship Evidence
- Marriage certificate (for married couples)
- Statutory declaration from you and your sponsor confirming the relationship
- Joint bank account statements
- Shared utility bills or lease/rental agreements
- Communication records (messages, call logs, emails)
- Photos together over time and across different settings
- Evidence of travel together
- Statements from family and friends confirming the relationship (Form 888)
Sponsor Documents
- Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency
- Completed sponsorship application (Form 40SP)
- Identity documents
Health and Character
- Completed medical examination results (uploaded by panel physician directly)
- Police clearance certificates from all relevant countries
- Character declaration
Financial and Social Aspects
- Proof of cohabitation or evidence of living together when possible
- Evidence of shared financial commitments or mutual financial support
- Social media or community evidence of relationship recognition
Other
- Change of name documents (if applicable)
- Divorce or death certificates (if either party was previously married)
- Children’s documents (if dependent children are included)
Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 Australia Eligibility
Not everyone who is in a relationship with an Australian qualifies for this visa. Here is a clear breakdown of who is eligible.
You are eligible if:
- You are the spouse (legally married) or de facto partner of an eligible Australian sponsor
- Your relationship is genuine, ongoing, and exclusive
- You are outside Australia at the time of application
- You meet health and character requirements
- Your sponsor is approved or approvable as a sponsor
You are NOT eligible if:
- You are currently in Australia on certain visa types (in that case, you would likely look at the onshore Subclass 820/801 instead)
- Your sponsor has been barred from sponsoring additional partners (e.g., has already sponsored two partners or is subject to a bar from a previous sponsorship application)
- You are not in a genuine relationship — the DHA takes fabricated or marriage-of-convenience applications very seriously and refuses them
- Either party does not meet character requirements due to serious criminal history
What about same-sex couples?
Same-sex couples are fully eligible to apply for the partner visa in Australia. There is no distinction in the application process for married or de facto same-sex couples compared to heterosexual couples.
What if you are in a long-distance relationship?
Long-distance couples can still apply, but the evidence bar is higher. You will need to demonstrate that despite the distance, the relationship is genuine and that you have a shared future planned. Regular communication records, evidence of visits, financial support, and plans to live together carry significant weight in these cases.
Quick Tips Before You Apply
A few practical things worth knowing before you lodge:
First, submit the most thorough evidence you can from the start. Think of your application like a story — the officer reviewing it has never met you, so every piece of evidence helps them understand that your relationship is real.
Second, respond to any DHA requests for additional information within the given timeframe. Missing a deadline can result in refusal without further notice.
Third, update your contact details in ImmiAccount promptly if they change. Communications from DHA go there, and missing them has consequences.
Finally, while you are not required to use a registered migration agent, for complex cases — such as those involving previous visa refusals, criminal history, or complicated relationship evidence — professional guidance can be worth the cost.
The partner visa process is long, but for couples who prepare carefully and document their relationship well, it is absolutely achievable. The key is patience, thorough documentation, and honest communication with the Department of Home Affairs throughout the process.
Ready to Start Your Partner Visa Application?
Navigating the Partner Visa Subclass 309/100 process on your own is possible — but one wrong move, a missing document, or an incomplete relationship evidence package can cost you months of delays or even a refusal.
At Migration Republic, we are registered Australian migration agents who specialise in partner visa applications. We have helped hundreds of couples successfully reunite in Australia, and we know exactly what the Department of Home Affairs looks for in a strong application.
Here is what we can do for you:
- Assess your eligibility before you spend a single dollar on fees
- Build a complete, compelling relationship evidence package on your behalf
- Handle all DHA communication and respond to any requests for information
- Keep you updated at every stage so you are never left wondering what is happening
Do not leave your relationship — and your future together — to chance.
👉 Get in touch with our team today at migrationrepublic.com.au and book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents. We will walk you through your options and give you a clear picture of what your application process looks like from start to finish.
