Partner Visa (Provisional) Subclass 309

One fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages: AUD11,710 for most main applicants. A lower cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026, and each family member applying with you has an extra fee.

Until the decision on your permanent partner visa, or until you withdraw your application.

You can include a dependent child when you apply, or add one before the temporary visa is decided. Family applying with you must meet health and character requirements and be outside Australia.

You must be outside Australia when you apply, and so must family applying with you.

You may be able to access Medicare while your application is processed. If not, take out private health insurance to cover unexpected medical costs.

Your sponsor is usually your partner and must be approved by Home Affairs. The same person must sponsor you for the temporary and permanent stages, and you cannot change sponsors.

You generally need to be 18 or older when you apply.

You must lodge online from outside Australia.

You and family applying with you must meet the health and character requirements. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.

Applicants aged 18 or over must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.

Any debts to the Australian Government must be repaid or arranged. The visa may be refused if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

You can leave and return to Australia as often as you like. New Zealand passport holders should tell border officers they do not want a Special Category visa (444), as it would replace the partner visa.

You cannot add family members once the temporary visa is granted. A dependent child may need to apply for a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445) first.

Report changes such as a new address, passport, relationship status or the birth of a child. If your relationship ends, you may need to complete a Notification of Relationship Cessation in ImmiAccount.

You can be considered for the permanent visa 2 years after you first applied for the partner visa.

There is no fee to sponsor your partner. The visa application charge is paid by the applicant.

Your sponsorship ends 2 years after the temporary partner visa is granted if your partner is in Australia at grant, or 2 years after they next arrive in Australia if they are overseas at grant.

You can be in or outside Australia when you lodge your sponsorship.

You must be at least 18. If you are under 18 and married to the applicant, a parent or guardian may be able to sponsor instead.

Most sponsors must meet character requirements. Sponsorship may be refused if you have a significant criminal record for relevant offences, or will not provide a police check or consent to disclosure. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.

Sponsorship is limited if you have been convicted of certain offences involving children.

Your sponsorship may be refused if this is your third partner or prospective marriage sponsorship, if you sponsored another partner in the last 5 years, or if you were sponsored as a partner yourself in the last 5 years.

Limits can also apply if you hold a Contributory Parent visa granted less than 5 years ago and your partner was already your partner then, or if you came to Australia on a Woman at Risk (subclass 204) visa in certain circumstances. Applications in a forced marriage will be refused, as forced marriage is a crime in Australia.

If your relationship changes, Home Affairs needs to know. People experiencing family violence may still be able to get a visa.