In practice, Subclass 309 is commonly used when applicants apply from overseas or cannot remain lawfully in Australia during processing.

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Both visa pathways lead to permanent residence, but the timing and application location differ.

If you are unsure which pathway applies to your situation, see our partner visa Australia guide.

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Subclass 309 Visa Requirements

To apply for the Subclass 309 visa, you must:

• Be in a genuine and continuing relationship

• Have an eligible sponsor

• Meet health requirements

• Meet character requirements

• Apply while outside Australia

These requirements apply at both the temporary and permanent stages of the partner visa process.

For a full breakdown of eligibility and documents, see our partner visa Australia requirements guide.

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How Relationship Evidence is Assessed

The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship is genuine and continuing based on four key areas:

Financial aspects

Evidence of shared finances, such as joint accounts or shared expenses

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Nature of the household

Evidence of living arrangements and household responsibilities

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Social aspects

Evidence that your relationship is recognised by others

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Nature of commitment

Evidence of long-term commitment and ongoing relationship

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Consistency across all areas is important. Applications with weak or inconsistent evidence may be delayed or refused.

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Subclass 309 to 100 Process Explained

The offshore partner visa follows a two-stage process:

1. You apply for both Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 at the same time

2. The temporary visa (Subclass 309) is assessed first

3. You wait until you become eligible for the permanent stage

4. The Department reassesses your relationship

5. The Subclass 100 visa may be granted if requirements are met

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The permanent stage is generally assessed around two years after application. Learn more about the Subclass 100 partner visa (permanent stage).

You can check your visa status and conditions using VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online), the official system provided by the Department of Home Affairs.

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Subclass 309 Processing Time (2026)

Typical processing time:

• Subclass 309 (temporary stage): 12 to 20 months

• Subclass 100 (permanent stage): assessed approximately 2 years after application

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The total partner visa process may take several years due to the two-stage structure.

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Processing time depends on:

• Completeness of documents

• Strength of relationship evidence

• Health and character checks

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Processing times are indicative and vary between applications.

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For more details, see our partner visa Australia processing time guide.

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Subclass 309 Visa Cost

The visa application fee starts from:

• AUD 9,365 (main applicant)

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This fee includes both the Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 stages.

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Additional costs may include:

• Health examinations

• Police certificates

• Document translation

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Total cost depends on your individual circumstances.

For a full breakdown, see our partner visa Australia cost guide.

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Why Subclass 309 Visas Get Refused

Applications may be refused where requirements are not met.

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Common reasons include:

• Insufficient or inconsistent relationship evidence

• Information that does not match across documents

• Sponsor not meeting eligibility requirements

• Missing required documents

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Applications with incomplete or inconsistent information may take longer to process or be refused.

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Common Subclass 309 Situations

You may still be eligible in situations such as:

• Long-distance relationships

• Not living together

• Recently married couples

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Eligibility depends on the overall strength and consistency of your evidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Subclass 309 while in Australia?

No. You must be outside Australia when you apply.

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How long does Subclass 309 take?

The temporary stage typically takes between 12 and 20 months.

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Does Subclass 309 lead to permanent residence?

Yes. It leads to the Subclass 100 partner visa if eligibility requirements continue to be met.

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Can I include my children in the application?

Yes. Eligible dependent family members can be included.