Australia Spousal Visa for Family Reunification Guide

Australia Spousal Visa for Family Reunification Guide in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth

If your partner lives in Australia and you want to join them, the Australia Spousal Visa offers a legal pathway to reunite and build your life together. Whether your partner is in Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth, this visa lets you live, work and study while waiting for permanent residency. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about the spousal visa process, the documents required, and how to prepare for your move to one of Australia’s major cities.

What is the Australia Spousal Visa?

The Australia Spousal Visa, also called the Partner Visa, is designed to help spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens reunite. There are two major stages involved: the temporary partner visa (subclass 820 for onshore applicants or 309 for offshore), and the permanent partner visa (subclass 801 or 100).

You first receive a temporary visa while your permanent application is being processed. After about two years, if the relationship is still genuine and ongoing, you may be granted the permanent visa.

Eligibility Requirements for the Partner Visa

To apply for the Australia Spousal Visa, you must meet specific criteria:

• You must be legally married or in a de facto relationship with your sponsoring partner
• Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing
• You must be 18 years or older
• You and your partner must live together or plan to live together permanently
• Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

De Facto Relationship Criteria

If you are not legally married but living together, you can apply under the de facto relationship category. You must have lived together for at least 12 months unless you can register your relationship in certain Australian states. This applies in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia — which means if your partner is in Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth, you have that option.

Documents Required for the Spousal Visa

Both the applicant and sponsor need to provide a wide range of documents. These include:

Personal Documents

• Passport and identification pages
• Birth certificate
• National ID card (if applicable)
• Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years

Relationship Evidence

• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Photos showing the relationship over time
• Shared financial accounts or bills
• Joint lease or property ownership documents
• Statutory declarations from friends or family who know your relationship

Sponsor Documents

• Proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residence
• Employment records or financial proof
• Character documents and police clearance

Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to apply for the Australia Spousal Visa:

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Gather all required documents before submitting your application. Double-check for translations if any document is not in English.

Step 2: Submit the Application Online

Applications are submitted online through the ImmiAccount portal on the Department of Home Affairs website. You’ll first pay the visa fee (over AUD 8,000 as of 2025) and upload your documents.

Step 3: Sponsor Application

Your partner must complete a sponsorship form and provide supporting documents. This is usually submitted shortly after your main application.

Step 4: Wait for Temporary Visa

If applying onshore (subclass 820), you can stay in Australia while your application is processed. If applying from outside (subclass 309), you must wait offshore until the temporary visa is approved.

Step 5: Permanent Visa Assessment

After two years from the date of application, the Department will assess your relationship again. If it’s still ongoing, they will process your permanent visa (subclass 801 or 100).

Processing Times

As of 2025, processing times can vary depending on your circumstances. For onshore subclass 820 visas, the average time is 20 to 28 months. Offshore subclass 309 visas take about 12 to 20 months. The permanent partner visa can take another 12 to 24 months after that. The key is submitting a strong, well-documented application to avoid delays.

Costs Involved

The main application fee is currently AUD 8,850. You might also need to pay for health checks, police certificates, translation services, and courier fees. While it’s expensive, this visa leads to permanent residency and, eventually, Australian citizenship.

Living in Sydney, Brisbane or Perth While on a Partner Visa

Sydney

Sydney is the most popular destination for new migrants in Australia. It offers diverse communities, top-tier hospitals, and access to support services for immigrant families. The cost of living is high, so you’ll need to plan your budget carefully. Healthcare, transport, and housing are more expensive here, but you also have better job opportunities and schooling options if you are moving with children.

Brisbane

Brisbane is quieter than Sydney but still offers everything a family needs. If your partner is based here, you’ll enjoy a lower cost of living, warm climate, and growing job market. Suburbs like Logan, Ipswich, and Redland are popular among immigrant families due to affordable housing and family-friendly communities.

Perth

Perth is ideal for immigrants who prefer a relaxed lifestyle. It has great schools, clean beaches, and a strong sense of community. The job market is smaller than in Sydney or Brisbane, but opportunities exist in mining, trades, healthcare, and education. Perth also has one of the fastest partner visa processing centres in the country, so applicants here may receive decisions slightly quicker.

Work and Study Rights on a Spousal Visa

Once you are granted the temporary partner visa (subclass 820 or 309), you are allowed to work and study in Australia. There are no restrictions on the number of hours you can work. You also get access to free public education for your children and some subsidised services depending on the state you live in.

Healthcare Access for Partner Visa Holders

After you apply for the spousal visa and hold a bridging visa or temporary partner visa, you may be eligible for Medicare. This depends on your visa status and country of origin. If not eligible, you must get private health insurance until your Medicare access is confirmed. Medicare gives you access to public hospitals, free doctor visits and discounted medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

How to Strengthen Your Partner Visa Application

• Provide consistent relationship history with dates and milestones
• Upload photos showing your life together over time
• Include evidence of shared bills, bank accounts, and property
• Get at least two statutory declarations from Australian citizens
• Avoid contradictions in your forms and documents

Every detail matters. The Department of Home Affairs examines your relationship very closely. Submitting a complete and truthful application is the best way to get approval.

Can I Include Children in My Application?

Yes. Dependent children can be included in your partner visa application. You will need to provide their birth certificates, passports, and medical documents. If a child’s other parent is not migrating, you must submit legal permission for the child to move to Australia. Once approved, children have access to schooling and healthcare like other residents.

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal

• Lack of genuine relationship evidence
• False or inconsistent information in forms
• Failure to meet character requirements (e.g. police record)
• Partner not eligible to sponsor due to past visa sponsorships
• Unpaid debts to the Australian government

If your visa is refused, you can appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within a specified time. However, appeals take time and money, so it’s better to get it right the first time.

Reuniting with your partner in Australia is possible through the spousal visa pathway. Whether your partner is in Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth, this visa allows you to live, work, and build your future together. The process can be long and expensive, but with proper planning and honest documentation, thousands of families are reunited every year. If you are serious about moving, start gathering your documents early and seek advice where needed. Australia’s partner visa is one of the most rewarding paths to permanent residence.

FAQs

Can I apply for a partner visa while I am already in Australia?

Yes. If you are in Australia on another valid visa, you can apply for the onshore subclass 820 visa.

Do I need to be married to apply?

No. De facto partners can apply as long as the relationship has lasted 12 months or is legally registered.

How long does it take to get a decision?

Temporary visas take 12 to 28 months depending on your situation. Permanent visa follows 2 years later.

Can my partner sponsor me more than once?

Yes, but there is a limit of two partner sponsorships in a lifetime, with at least five years between them.

Can I travel while waiting for the visa?

If you are onshore, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B before travelling overseas to return without issues.

Does the partner visa lead to citizenship?

Yes. After holding permanent residency for 12 months and living in Australia for at least 4 years, you can apply for citizenship.