Learn key information about Australia's 309 Partner visa, including eligibility requirements, supporting documents, relationship evidence, visa costs, processing times, and how to apply from outside Australia.
Turner-Rowe Migration can assist you throughout your entire visa application, with support available in both English and Spanish.
What do you need to know about the 309 Partner visa?
What is the official visa name → Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309).
What is the 309 Partner visa → The 309 Partner visa is a temporary visa that allows holders to live, work and study in Australia while awaiting a decision on their permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100). It also allows multiple trips to and from Australia while the visa remains valid.
Who can apply to this visa → Eligible spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Where can you apply for this visa → All applicants must be outside Australia when submitting their 309 Partner visa application.
How long can you stay in Australia with this visa → The 309 Partner visa allows temporarily until the Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100) is completed.
Can you work under this visa → Yes. You have full work rights in Australia.
Can you study under this visa → Yes. You have study rights in Australia
Can you travel under this visa → Yes. You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish.
Can you include family members in the visa application → Yes. You may include eligible family members in your application.
Does this visa lead to Permanent Residency → Ye. The 309 Partner visa is a temporary visa that can lead to Australian permanent residency through the 100 Partner visa. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can generally be considered for the permanent visa after the relevant waiting period.
What are the 309 Partner visa eligibility requirements?
Relationship and personal requirements:
Be outside Australia when lodging the application
Have an eligible partner and sponsor
Be the right age
Meet relationship requirements
Meet the best interests of the child requirements (if applicable)
Visa status and immigration history:
Previous visa cancellations or refusals may affect eligibility (if applicable)
Other visa requirements:
Meet health requirement
Meet character requirement
Repay debts to the Australian Government or arrange repayment (if applicable)
Sign the Australian Values Statement (if applicable)
Eligibility requirements may vary depending on your personal circumstances.
Official Eligibility Requirements → For detailed information on eligibility requirements, please visit the Department of Home Affairs subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa eligibility page.
What documents do you need to apply?
Identity documents → You need to provide your passport’s identification pages, a national identity card (if available), and evidence of any name changes or other names you have used, such as a marriage certificate or official change-of-name document.
Applicants must also provide a birth certificate showing both parents’ names. If unavailable, submit an accepted alternative, such as a family book, government-issued identity document, court-issued identity document, or family census register.
Evidence of your relationship → You need to provide evidence of your relationship with your partner, any previous relationships, and any dependants you have.
Prepare your documents → Ensure all documents are translated into English and include both the original documents and their English translations with your application. Provide colour scans or photographs of all documents, including those in English and other languages.
Official Document Requirements → For detailed information on documents required, please visit the Department of Home Affairs subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa step by step page
What relationship evidence do you need to provide for a 309 Partner visa application?
Relationship history → Describe how, when and where you first met, how your relationship developed, when you moved in together, got engaged or married, what you do together, any time you spent apart, significant events in your relationship, and your plans for the future.
Relationship documents → Provide your marriage certificate or other evidence that your marriage is valid in Australia, or evidence of your de facto relationship, depending on your circumstances.
Evidence of your de facto relationship → If you have been in a de facto relationship for less than 12 months before applying, you must provide evidence of your registered relationship with an Australian state or territory authority or explain any compelling and compassionate circumstances that may justify granting the visa.
Shared finances → Provide evidence that you and your partner share financial responsibilities, such as joint mortgage or lease documents, loan agreements, bank statements, or household bills in both names.
Shared household matters → Provide evidence that you and your partner share domestic responsibilities and living arrangements, such as statements explaining how you divide household tasks, bills or correspondence addressed to both of you, documents showing joint responsibility for children, or proof of your shared residence.
Social matters → Provide statements from two people aged 18 or older who know both you and your partner and can confirm they are aware of your relationship.
Commitment to each other → Provide evidence of your commitment to a long-term relationship, including your knowledge of each other’s personal backgrounds and family circumstances, shared personal matters, communication when apart, and confirmation that you are not related by family. You may also include the terms of your wills as supporting evidence.
Previous relationships → If you have previously been married, widowed, divorced, or permanently separated, provide relevant supporting documents, such as divorce certificates, death certificates, separation documents, or statutory declarations.
Dependants you may have → Provide details and supporting documents for any dependent children included in your visa application. Additional eligibility requirements apply to dependants aged 18 or older.
Official Relationship Evidence → For detailed information on relationship evidence, please visit the Department of Home Affairs subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa step by step page
What does the Department of Home Affairs need from you?
To be granted a Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309), you must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship is genuine and continuing. The Department assesses your relationship across four key aspects: financial arrangements, the nature of your household, social aspects of the relationship, and the nature of your commitment to each other.
A strong 309 Partner visa application includes clear and well-organised evidence addressing each of these four aspects. Providing comprehensive evidence of your de facto relationship can strengthen your application and assist the Department in assessing whether your relationship meets the Visa requirements.
How much does the 309 Partner visa cost?
Primary Applicant → $11,710 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge 18+ → $5,860 AUD
Additional Applicant Charge U18 → $2,935 AUD
Costs are subject to change and may vary depending on your individual circumstances and any additional charges, such as our Registered Migration Agent Fees.
Official Visa Pricing → For detailed information on visa costs, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator page.
What is the 820 Partner visa processing time?
Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) applications are processed within:
50% of applications are processed within 21 months
90% of applications are processed within 39 months
Processing times are subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances and the completeness of your application.
Official Processing Times → For the latest information on Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309) processing times, please visit the Department of Home Affairs visa processing times page.
How can Turner-Rowe Migration help you apply for an 309 Partner visa?
1) Client consultation → Our Registered Migration Agent can assess your circumstances and help you evaluate whether you and your partner meet the visa eligibility requirements before applying. We offer consultations online via Zoom, by phone, or face-to-face (in Brisbane), with professional guidance in both English and Spanish. During your consultation, you can speak directly with our agent and discuss the visa process, eligibility requirements, and next steps. You are also welcome to ask questions throughout your consultation.
2) Sign our service agreement & form 956 → Our Service Agreement outlines the services we will provide, our professional fees, and the terms of our engagement. Form 956 confirms that we are representing you in your immigration matter and authorises us to communicate with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
3) Document gathering & review → We will advise you which documents and relationship evidence are required for your application. You will then gather and organise your documents and provide them to us for review. Our Registered Migration Agent will assess your documents and let you know if any improvements, additional information, or supporting documents may strengthen your application and ensure it is presented as thoroughly as possible.
4) Preparing visa application draft → Once your documents are ready, our Registered Migration Agent will prepare your visa application. We will carefully review the completed application before sending the draft to you, giving you the opportunity to review and approve your visa application before it is lodged.
5) Visa lodgement → Our Registered Migration Agent will lodge your visa application on your behalf.
6) Post lodgement support & requests → We keep you informed of important updates throughout the processing of your application and assist you in responding to any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs. We are always happy to provide guidance and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
7) Visa application outcome → The Department of Home Affairs will provide us with your visa outcome, and we will promptly notify you as soon as it is received and explain your visa conditions. If your visa is granted, you will receive your visa grant number, commencement date, and any applicable visa conditions. If your application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons for refusal and any available review rights.
Important → The Department will not refund you the application fee if your visa is refused.
What happens after the 309 Partner visa is granted?
Once the 309 Partner visa is granted, you can travel to and live in Australia temporarily, work and study in Australia, and access Medicare if eligible. You can also travel in and out of Australia while your visa remains valid.
After two years from the date you lodged your combined Subclass 309 and 100 application, you can generally be assessed for the Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100). You will need to provide updated evidence of your relationship and continue to meet the relevant visa requirements.
Start Your Partner (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 309) Application
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only and is based on information published by the Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs. Australian visa requirements, policies, fees, processing times and eligibility criteria may change. For the latest and most accurate information, applicants should refer to the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant visa subclass requirements.