Partner visas allow the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to obtain both temporary and permanent visas for Australia. Partner visa holders benefit through access to Medicare and have the authority to work in Australia.

Partner visas may be suitable for the following persons:

• Married partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen;
• De facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen;
• Fiancé of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Requirements for sponsoring partners include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Police clearance certificates for each country resided in for 12 months or more during the previous 10 years;
• Not having previously sponsored more than one partner,
• Not having sponsored a partner within the previous 5 years unless compelling circumstances exist;
• Not having been sponsored by a partner within the previous 5 years unless compelling circumstances exist;
• Not having been granted a Contributory Parent visa within the previous 5 years unless compelling non- financial circumstances exist.

Visa Subclasses

• Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa;
• Subclass 309/100 Partner visa;
• Subclass 820/801 Partner visa.

Visa requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Where application is based on a marriage relationship, the marriage must by a lawfully recognised marriage to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen;
• Where application is based on a de facto relationship, the relationship must be of no less than 12 months in duration except where in a relationship registered under a State or Territory law;
• Applicant and sponsor must be at least 18 years or age and must not be closely related;
• The relationship must be a mutually exclusive and genuine relationship;
• Applicant and sponsor must either live together, or where living apart, on a temporary basis only.

Immigration Law Services