Coming to Australia to settle with your partner can be one of the most thrilling relocation experiences of your life—though one that involves a pretty significant amount of paperwork. Partner Visa 309 is the initial step in the process of applying on behalf of individuals who are outside Australia but with an Australian citizen, permanent Australian resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen whom they are in a relationship
It is commonly referred to as the gateway to borderless love, and while that will be all romantic, the process itself is very real, very legal, and involves a lot of careful planning. In this article, here, we will guide you through everything that you may need to know regarding the partner visa Australia 309, such as who can apply, the partner visa 309 checklist, and how long it will take to process the partner visa 309.
What Is the Partner Visa 309?
The Partner Visa Subclass 309 is a temporary visa that allows someone outside Australia to live with their partner in the country. It’s the first stage in a two-part process. Once you’re granted the 309 visa and living in Australia, you’ll eventually become eligible to apply for the permanent Partner Visa Subclass 100.
This visa is granted while you’re still overseas, and you’ll need to remain outside Australia until a decision is made.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for this visa, you’ll need to be either:
Married to your partner, or
In a de facto relationship (living together for at least 12 months, generally).
Your partner must be either:
An Australian citizen
An Australian permanent resident
Or an eligible New Zealand citizen
And just to clarify, yes—same-sex couples are equally eligible.
The Partner Visa 309 Checklist: What You’ll Need
Having a clear checklist can make a huge difference when applying for the partner visa 309. Here’s what to start gathering:
Identification and Personal Documents:
Passport (valid and not expiring soon)
Birth certificate
National ID cards (if applicable)
Relationship Evidence:
This part is critical. Immigration wants to see that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. Some examples of useful evidence:
Marriage certificate (if married)
Photos together at different points in your relationship
Joint bank accounts
Lease or mortgage documents with both names
Travel itineraries showing trips taken together
Statements from family or friends who can confirm your relationship
Shared bills (utilities, phone, etc.)
From Your Sponsor:
Proof of their Australian citizenship or residency
A completed sponsorship form
Police checks if required
Other Essentials:
Health checks
Police certificates for every country you’ve lived in for 12+ months
Personal written statements from each partner about how your relationship developed
Pro tip: The more detailed and organized your application is, the smoother things will go. Immigration officers love clarity.
How Long Does It Take? Partner Visa 309 Processing Time
Processing times vary, but here’s what you’re looking at as a rough estimate:
Around 14 to 18 months for most applications.
75% of applications are processed in about 14 months
90% are approved within 18 months or so
What's the delay? Because each relationship is unique, and immigration needs to ensure everything is fine. Missing information, unclear timelines, or conflicting facts can all cause delays in your application.
To prevent delays, work from the official partner visa 309 checklist prior to publishing anything.
From 309 to 100: How the Two-Stage Process Works
The 309 visa is just the first step. It's really a trial by that, as you're technically living in Australia. And then, roughly two years from when you lodged it, you can apply for the Partner Visa Subclass 100, and you can acquire permanent residence.
In your Subclass 100, to be eligible, you will have to prove that the relationship is existing and ongoing. New joint bills documents and possibly other statements too, you will also have to provide.
Short of the first round but by no means less important.
What You Can Do on a Partner Visa 309
After receiving your partner visa 309, you can:
Live and work in Australia
Study (even if you don't meet the requirements for government student loans)
Entitlement to Medicare, Australia's public health care system
Freedom to come and go from Australia as you like
And of course, the best one of all—you get to settle down with your partner in Australia.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some of the things that trap people:
Filling out half-arsed applications
Not having enough relationship evidence
Tries to circumvent the 12-month de facto rule (unless exempt)
Foggy personal statements that do not disclose the entire scenario
Not realizing that you have to be offshore upon approval of visa
Double-checking and breathing before applying is always best. One small silly error can hold up for months.
Partner Visa 309 cost
Let’s talk money. The base application fee for the partner visa 309 is currently AUD $8,850. That’s a significant investment, and it doesn’t include costs for police checks, translations, or health exams.
If you’re including dependents in your application, you’ll need to pay extra for each of them.
Tips for a Strong Application
Here are some final suggestions from people who’ve been through the process:
Maintain a joint photo album of your travels, receipts, and pictures.
Preserve the emails, messages, and screenshots that describe how you stay in contact.
Create a timeline of your relationship. You will require it when you provide your statement.
Be truthful. Do not overstate your relationship or create fake documents.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, seek an agent who is registered.
Final Thoughts
Applying for the partner visa 309 is a leap of a giant sort—one that simply has to be made. It's waiting, filling out forms, and lots of love and truth. If you're doing it yourself or are having someone assist you through it with their experience, at least knowing what lies ahead halves the battle.
From your partner visa 309 checklist to the processing time of partner visa 309, preparation is everything. And after all the hard work of getting permission finally, you can now go ahead and live your life together in one of the most stunning countries in the world.
