Australia Partner (Offshore)

Summary

The Partner visa (Subclasses 309 and 100) is Australia's offshore partner-sponsored residency visa. Like the onshore 820/801, it operates in two stages:

• Subclass 309 — a provisional visa granted first, letting you travel to Australia and live there while the permanent application is assessed.
• Subclass 100 — the permanent visa, granted roughly 2 years later (or combined for long-term relationships).

You must be outside Australia when you apply. Since late 2023, the applicant can generally be either inside or outside Australia when the 309 decision is made.

Australia recognizes three partnership categories — married, de facto (12+ months), and registered relationship. Same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships are treated identically.

Eligibility

Relationship

You must be in one of the following with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen:

• Married under a legally recognised marriage.
• De facto — genuine and continuing relationship with shared life, usually including at least 12 months together before application. The 12-month evidence period may be shorter if your relationship is registered under an accepted Australian state or territory law, or if there are compelling circumstances such as a shared child.
• Registered relationship in an Australian state or territory where Home Affairs accepts registration for partner visa purposes.

Genuine and continuing relationship

Case officers assess evidence across four pillars — financial, household, social, and commitment — identical to the onshore 820/801. See the onshore partner visa page for the detailed evidence framework; the bar is the same.

Sponsor

• Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
• Lifetime limit of 2 sponsored partners with a 5-year gap.
• Character review — serious violent offences can block sponsorship.

Applicant

• Health examination — arranged with a Home Affairs–approved panel physician in the country of residence.
• Police certificates from every country lived in 12+ months since turning 16.
• Valid passport and no adverse immigration history with Australia.

Why choose offshore (309/100) over onshore (820/801)?

• You're not in Australia — you're building a life abroad with your partner before moving.
• The Visa Application Charge is broadly the same as the onshore partner visa, so cost is usually not the deciding factor. Check the current Home Affairs fee before applying because partner visa charges change.
• 309 grants let you travel to Australia freely while waiting for the 100. The 820, by contrast, ties you to a Bridging Visa A and makes exits conditional.
• The evidence standard is similar — both routes require a well-documented genuine relationship.

A common pattern for couples in long-distance relationships: the Australian partner stays in Australia, the foreign partner applies for the 309 from home, and they move to Australia together only after the 309 is granted.

Process and Costs

• Combined application. Lodge the 309 and 100 together.
• Visa Application Charge. High primary-applicant fee + per-dependant fees. Use the Home Affairs fee tool for the current amount before relying on a figure.
• 309 grant — allows entry to Australia. You can now live and work there.
• 100 grant — permanent residency, assessed after the temporary partner-visa stage.

Duration, Renewal, and Long-Term Path

• Duration: Subclass 309 is temporary; Subclass 100 is the permanent stage.
• Renewal: Permanent-stage review normally follows after the relationship evidence period.

What This Route Allows

This route can allow you to live in Australia based on a qualifying family relationship. The relationship usually must be documented, genuine where relevant, and supported by the required civil records.

What This Route Is Not

This is not based only on wanting to live near family. The family relationship must fit the legal category and usually must be supported by records and sponsor documents.

Next Steps

1. Confirm your partnership qualifies. If you've been cohabiting less than 12 months with no registration and no shared child, plan accordingly — you'll need to wait or register.
2. Document your relationship across the four pillars.
3. Order police certificates for every country lived in 12+ months since 16.
4. Complete medicals when Home Affairs asks you to, using its health-examination process for your location.
5. Lodge the combined 309/100 application online with full supporting evidence.
6. Wait for 309 grant. Travel to Australia once granted.
7. Additional evidence for the 100 stage — Australia wants to see the relationship continuing.
8. 100 grant. Permanent residency, no conditions.

The lodgement → 309 → 100 sequence takes time and depends on Home Affairs assessment and evidence quality.

Sources

• Department of Home Affairs — Partner visa (309 and 100) — official page.
• Subclass 309 provisional partner visa
• Subclass 100 permanent partner visa
• Partner visa FAQs — official partner visa guidance.
• Health requirement — official medical-exam guidance.