Partner (Provisional) visa (Subclass 309)

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Australia Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

The qualifying family relationship is that of the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must be in a genuine relationship with that person, be sponsored by them, and be outside Australia, together with any family members applying with them, when the application is lodged.

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Overview tab
This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, along with family that apply with you
Eligibility tab — checklist
be outside Australia when you apply

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The applicant's partner, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, is normally the sponsor and must be approved by the department. The sponsor cannot be changed after the application is made: whoever sponsors the applicant at the time of application must remain the sponsor for 2 years after the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa is granted, and the sponsor should apply to sponsor as soon as possible after the visa application is lodged.

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Overview tab — Check your eligibility
have your spouse or de facto partner sponsor you
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
Your sponsor is usually your partner.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
We must approve your sponsor.
Eligibility tab — Have a sponsor
You cannot change your sponsor. The person who sponsors you when you apply for the visa must be the same person who sponsors you for 2 years after we grant your temporary partner visa (subclass 309).
Overview tab
This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily.
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be in a genuine relationship with your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
Overview tab — Check your eligibility
be outside Australia when you apply for this visa, along with family that apply with you
Eligibility tab — checklist
be outside Australia when you apply

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Proof differs by relationship type. A spouse must be in a married relationship. A de facto partner must usually have been in the de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying, though this 12-month rule is waived for compelling and compassionate circumstances, or where the partner holds or held a permanent humanitarian visa and the relationship existed and was disclosed before that visa was granted, or where the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory authority.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Spouse
To be a spouse, you must be in a married relationship.
Eligibility tab — De facto partners
Usually you must be in your de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply for this visa.
Eligibility tab — De facto partners
The 12-month requirement will not apply if you can show us compelling and compassionate circumstances exist for you to be granted the provisional Partner visa (subclass 309).
Eligibility tab — Forced marriage
Forced marriage is a crime in Australia.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The applicant and any family members applying with them must meet Australia's health and character requirements (character checks apply to those aged 16 and over), and any debt owed to the Australian Government by the applicant or family members must be repaid or arranged for repayment. Adults must sign an Australian Values Statement. The official source does not state an income, accommodation or insurance requirement.

See recorded sources

Eligibility tab — Meet our health requirement
You and any family members who apply for the visa with you must meet our health requirement.
Eligibility tab — Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Eligibility tab — Have no debt to the Australian government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must pay it back or arrange to pay it back.
Eligibility tab — Sign the Australian values statement
sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws
Eligibility tab — Meet relationship requirements
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, we may be able to help you.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

This is a temporary visa and the first step towards the permanent Partner (Subclass 100) visa. While holding it, the applicant can live, work and study in Australia, travel to and from Australia freely, attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if eligible, and access Medicare. The visa costs from AUD11,710.00, with concessions applying only in limited circumstances. The official source does not state how long the visa lasts.

See recorded sources

Overview tab
Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
Overview tab — Cost
From AUD11,710.00. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
Overview tab — With this visa you can
live, work and study in Australia while we process your permanent Partner visa
Overview tab — With this visa you can
attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program if you are eligible
Overview tab — With this visa you can
apply for access to Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Partner (Provisional) visa (Subclass 309)

Which family relationships qualify?

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.