The offshore partner visa pathway for spouses and de facto partners living outside Australia. The Subclass 309 (temporary) leads to the Subclass 100 (permanent residency) after 2 years in a genuine relationship.
The Partner Visa Offshore (Subclass 309 and 100) is a two-stage visa pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, when the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application.
The Subclass 309 is a temporary partner visa that allows the overseas partner to live, work, and study in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs assesses the relationship. After 2 years in a genuine, ongoing relationship (measured from the date of application), the Subclass 100 permanent partner visa is granted — allowing indefinite residence and a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Onshore vs Offshore: The 309/100 is the offshore pathway — you apply from outside Australia. If you are already inside Australia, the equivalent pathway is the Partner Visa Onshore (Subclass 820/801). Both result in the same permanent residency outcome.
Both the applicant (the overseas partner) and the sponsor (Australian partner) must meet requirements:
Confirm you and your sponsor meet the eligibility criteria — relationship type (married or de facto), de facto relationship duration (at least 12 months in most cases), and that you are outside Australia. Contact our migration agents Perth team for a free assessment.
The Australian partner (the sponsor) must submit a sponsorship application through ImmiAccount. The Department assesses the sponsor’s identity, character and eligibility to sponsor a partner visa applicant.
This is the most important part of your application. Collect evidence across all four relationship categories: financial (joint accounts, shared bills), social (photos, invitations), household (shared residence documents), and commitment (statutory declarations, future plans). See our relationship evidence guide for full details.
Complete a medical examination at an approved panel physician. Obtain police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. These can take several weeks to obtain.
Submit the application online via ImmiAccount while you are outside Australia. Pay the government fee of AUD $9,365. Processing typically takes 14–28 months. During this time you may enter Australia on the 309 once it is granted.
After 2 years from your original application date (if in a relationship of less than 3 years when you applied), the Department will reassess your relationship. Provide updated evidence and any new information. If your relationship is still genuine and continuing, the permanent Subclass 100 is granted.
The Department of Home Affairs assesses genuine relationships across four categories. Strong applications provide evidence in all four:
Read our full guide: Evidence to Prove a Genuine & Continuing Relationship
The Subclass 100 grants permanent residency — you can live in Australia indefinitely with no requirement to renew.
Both 309 and 100 holders can work and enrol in academic courses anywhere in Australia without restrictions.
As a Subclass 309 or 100 holder you are eligible for Medicare — Australia’s public healthcare system.
After 4 years of total residence (including at least 1 year as a permanent resident), apply for Australian citizenship.
Subclass 100 holders can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency in Australia.
The 309 allows multiple entries, so you can travel between Australia and your home country while awaiting the 100.
The pathway you take depends on where you are when you apply. The end result — permanent residency — is the same for both.
Coming to Australia via the 300? If you are on a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300), after marrying in Australia you apply for the Subclass 820/801 (onshore) — not the 309/100.
Processing times vary based on application completeness, health and character check turnaround, and the complexity of the relationship assessment.
| Visa | 75% of applications | 90% of applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 309 Temporary (offshore) |
~14 months | ~28 months | Must be outside Australia at lodgement |
| Subclass 100 Permanent |
~14 months | ~30 months | Assessed after 2 years from 309 lodgement |
Processing times are indicative only and can change. Applications with comprehensive, well-organised relationship evidence are less likely to receive s56 requests (requests for more information) that cause significant delays.
The government fee covers both the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 in a single payment at lodgement:
The one fee covers both the temporary Subclass 309 and the permanent Subclass 100 — there is no second payment required when the 100 is granted. Additional costs apply for health examinations, police clearances and biometrics. Contact our migration agent Perth team for a full cost breakdown.
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In case you don’t find an answer, consult with one of our migration agents.
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