Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)

Thinking about applying for a Partner visa?

To be eligible, you must be:

• Married to, or

• In a de facto relationship (unless exempt) with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

If you apply for a Partner visa onshore (within Australia), you will be granted a Bridging visa linked to your application. The conditions of this Bridging visa—such as work or study rights—depend on the visa you previously held. If your previous visa allowed you to work or study, those rights will generally continue while your Bridging visa is active.

When applying, you submit both the temporary and permanent partner visa applications together. However, while waiting for your Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100 or 801) to be granted, you will not be eligible for government financial assistance programs such as HECS, Newstart, or other subsidies.

Partner Visa Stages

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will first be granted a Temporary Partner visa:

• Subclass 820 – if applied onshore, or

• Subclass 309 – if applied offshore

You will remain on this temporary visa until you become eligible for the Permanent Partner visa:

• Subclass 801 or 100

In most cases, you can apply for the permanent stage after two years on your temporary visa.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will first be granted a Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820 if applied onshore or 309 if applied offshore). You will remain on this temporary visa until you become eligible for the Permanent Partner visa (subclass 801 or 100). In most cases, you can apply for the permanent stage after two years on your temporary visa.

If you have one or more children living in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a Parent visa (subclass 103).

This visa is designed for parents or step-parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Once granted, it allows parents to migrate permanently to Australia and live with their children.

Eligibility Factors

Your eligibility depends on several factors, including:

• The residency status of your child in Australia

• How long your sponsoring child has lived in Australia

• Whether you meet the Balance of Family Test

• Whether you meet health and character requirements

Please note:
Processing times for this visa can be up to 30 years. Applicants must be outside Australia when the visa decision is made, and no bridging visa is available if your temporary visa expires while waiting.

Parent Visa Benefits

A Parent visa allows you, your partner, and dependent family members to live in Australia permanently with the following benefits:

• Permission to work and study

• Access to Medicare (government-subsidised healthcare)

• Ability to sponsor family members for permanent residency (waiting period applies)

• Access to social security benefits (waiting period applies)

Eligibility Criteria

The Applicant must:

• Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

The Sponsor can be:

• Your child’s partner

• A guardian or family member of your child

• A guardian or family member of your child’s partner

• An approved community organisation

You must meet this requirement to be granted this visa.
It cannot be waived, even in compelling or exceptional circumstances.

Parent Visa (Subclass 103)

If you have one or more children living in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a Parent visa (subclass 103).
This visa is designed for parents or step-parents of a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Once granted, it allows parents to migrate permanently to Australia and live with their children.

Eligibility Factors

Your eligibility depends on several factors, including:

• The residency status of your child in Australia

• How long your sponsoring child has lived in Australia

• Whether you meet the Balance of Family Test

• Whether you meet health and character requirements

Please note:
Processing times for this visa can be up to 30 years.
Applicants must be outside Australia when the visa decision is made, and no bridging visa is available if your temporary visa expires while waiting.

Parent Visa Benefits

A Parent visa allows you, your partner, and dependent family members to live in Australia permanently with the following benefits:

• Permission to work and study

• Access to Medicare (government-subsidised healthcare)

• Ability to sponsor family members for permanent residency (waiting period applies)

• Access to social security benefits (waiting period applies)

Eligibility Factors

The Applicant must:

• Have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

The Sponsor can be:

• Your child’s partner

• A guardian or family member of your child

• A guardian or family member of your child’s partner

• An approved community organisation

You must meet this requirement to be granted this visa.
It cannot be waived, even in compelling or exceptional circumstances.

Important Notes

• Some skills assessment authorities (like accounting bodies) still require an English test for Graduate Work Stream assessments.

• If you take the OET (Occupational English Test), the required scores remain the same.

• The Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa has similar English language requirements.

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