309 Partner Visa (Temporary)
Live in Australia with your partner while waiting for permanent residency.
A Subclass 309 Visa allows partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to move to Australia while their permanent visa is being processed. It is the first stage of a two-part partner migration process for people applying from outside Australia.
At Hansen Migration, we help couples navigate the 309 visa process with care, precision, and a 100% success rate.
Subclass 309 Visa Eligibility
- Be outside Australia when they apply for the visa
- Be sponsored by their eligible spouse or de facto partner
- Provide sufficient evidence of a genuine relationship with their partner
- Pass the health, identity, and character tests set by the Australian Government
What is a Subclass 309 visa?
The subclass 309 visa, also known as the Partner visa 309, lets the partner or spouse of an eligible Australian resident live in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is typically the first step in achieving a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
The following requirements must be met:
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing
- You and your partner must be committed to a shared life together
- You must be either legally married or in a de facto relationship
Marriage
You must provide proof that your marriage is legal, and that you and your sponsor intend to live together as spouses.
De facto relationship
If applying as a de facto couple, you must have lived together for at least 12 months, unless your relationship is registered in an Australian state or territory.
The following exceptions apply to the 12-month minimum relationship period requirement:
- Your relationship is registered under state/territory law
- There are compelling or compassionate circumstances (e.g. having children together)
Long-term relationship requirements for Partner Visa
If you’ve been in a long-term marriage or de facto relationship, you may be eligible for immediate assessment for the permanent Subclass 100 visa.
A long-term relationship is one which has been in existence for a minimum period of:
- 3 years or more, or
- 2 years with a dependent child shared with your sponsor
The application process for a provisional partner visa
The Subclass 309 visa must be lodged while the applicant is outside Australia. Once approved, the visa allows you to live in Australia temporarily until a decision is made on the permanent Subclass 100 Partner Visa.
How can you apply for the Subclass 309 visa?
You must lodge your application online through ImmiAccount while outside Australia. Your Australian partner must also complete a sponsorship application. At Hansen Migration, we provide:
- An eligibility assessment
- Document checklist tailored to your relationship
- Full preparation and lodgement of your 309 visa
- Ongoing updates and management of your case
- Support through the next stage: the Subclass 100 visa
The current application fees for lodging a Subclass 309 visa application are listed in the table below
As of July 2025, visa application charges are:
- Main applicant (309/100 combined): $9,365 AUD
- Additional applicant over 18: $4,685 AUD
- Additional applicant under 18: $2,345 AUD
Fees are paid at the time of stage 1 lodgement and cover both the temporary and permanent stages.
Other expected costs
- Migration Agent professional service fees
- Health examinations
- Police clearance certificates (Australia and overseas)
- Certified translations (if applicable)
How long will it take for a decision to be made on your Subclass 309 application?
Based on our client experience, most Subclass 309 visa applications are processed within 12 to 24 months. Delays may occur if documents are missing or if further information is requested. Starting with a complete, well-prepared application is the best way to avoid setbacks.
Can you visit your partner in Australia whilst the Subclass 309 visa is being processed?
Yes. While waiting for your 309 visa decision, you can apply separately for a Visitor Visa to travel to Australia.
What happens once 2 years have passed since you lodged your Partner Visa 309 application?
If your relationship is still ongoing, the Department will assess your eligibility for the Subclass 100 Permanent Partner Visa. You’ll be invited to submit updated documents proving your relationship is still genuine and committed.
What happens if the Subclass 309 visa is granted?
You’ll be granted temporary residency in Australia and can:
- Live, work, and study in Australia
- Travel freely in and out of the country
- Access Medicare
- Begin preparing for your transition to permanent residency
What happens if the Partner Visa 309 is refused?
If refused, you will receive a written explanation. You may have the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
The 309 visa application process can be complex, and usually requires a large amount of detailed documentation. Failing to provide enough information can result in the application being refused. As such, we typically recommend seeking professional guidance on all 309 visa applications.
But don’t worry – we’re here to help.
At Hansen Migration, we specialise in Partner visas like the subclass 309, and have a 99.5% success rate in getting them approved. We can guide you through the submission process, help catch any mistakes, and give you the best chance of a fast, successful visa outcome.
Applying for a 309 Visa
Applying for an offshore Partner visa is usually a multi-stage process. The first stage involves lodging a combined application for a temporary Partner visa (visa subclass 309) and a permanent Partner visa (visa subclass 100) together.
The temporary 309 visa is usually granted first; it lets the visa holder come to Australia to live and work temporarily, while their permanent visa application is being considered. Later, if the permanent visa application is successful, the permanent subclass 100 visa will replace your 309 visa.
Offshore
Subclass 309 Temporary Visa
Onshore
Subclass 100 Permanent Visa
Benefits of a 309 Visa
When granted, the 309 visa can give you:
- The right to live, work and study in Australia temporarily
- Unrestricted access to travel to and from Australia as often as you want
- The right to apply for access to Medicare, Australia’s public health care system
- The ability to attend free English classes, if you are eligible
You can also include a dependent child in your application if you would like to.
Common Challenges of a 309 Visa
Applying for the 309 visa can be complex and time-consuming. Common challenges include establishing the eligibility of your sponsor; gathering sufficient evidence to prove your relationship is genuine; obtaining all the clearances for the health and character checks; and ensuring all your documentation is in order and is submitted on time.
Occasionally, government regulations can change during the course of an application, and forms need to be amended; staying on top of all the details during the lengthy application process can be stressful and demanding. These difficulties can be increased when trying to complete the process from outside Australia.
Fortunately, Hansen Migration is here to help. Our Registered Migration Agents are up to date on all the current laws and requirements for 309 visa applications, and can help guide you through the application process. We can keep you on top of all the details, reduce your stress, and help you get the best chance of a fast, successful visa outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can stay in Australia until a decision is made on your permanent visa (subclass 100).
Yes, you can include dependent children or stepchildren (and their dependent children) in your application.
Documents required will include proof of identity, health examinations, character documents like police checks, evidence of your relationship with your partner, and evidence of your partner’s eligibility to be a sponsor.
Most 309 visa applications will be processed in less than 18 months.
Yes, the 309 visa grants unrestricted working rights in Australia.
Yes, holders of the 309 visa can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme.
Yes, the 309 visa grants unrestricted travel to and from Australia as often as you want.
If your relationship ends while you are on the 309 visa, your 100 visa application may be refused; however, this is not certain. A Registered Migration Agent may be able to help you further.
Download Your Free Family Visa Handbook
Looking for more details on the different visas and the requirements? We’ve put together this handy guide to help answer your questions. Just click below to download a copy today.
If you’ve still got questions after reading it, don’t stress – we can help. Book a free consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents today.
