PARTNER VISA — OFFSHORE

OVERVIEW

For couples who want to be together in Australia but are currently living apart. The Partner visa (subclass 309/100) is for people in a de facto relationship or married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, currently living outside Australia.

Two stages: subclass 309 (temporary), then subclass 100 (permanent)

We begin by understanding the employer’s workforce needs in detail, including the position, required skills and experience, team structure, operational environment and the qualities needed for the candidate to succeed. Where employer sponsorship may be required, migration considerations are assessed early so the recruitment strategy is aligned with a realistic visa pathway.

Allows you to live, work, study and travel in Australia with your partner

Candidates are sourced through MYAC’s local and international networks, including our database of more than 10,000 pre-screened candidates. Each candidate is assessed against the specific requirements of the position, including their qualifications, employment history, technical skills, practical capability, communication skills and overall suitability for the employer.

Leads to eligibility for Australian permanent residency

We prepare targeted shortlists based on the employer’s actual requirements rather than simply forwarding available candidates. Inter Interviews may be conducted face-to-face, virtually or through MYAC’s international recruitment roadshows. Practical trials, trade testing and additional verification can also be arranged where appropriate.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE

Sponsor eligibility and the two-partner limit

The same sponsorship rules apply offshore as onshore: your partner can sponsor a maximum of two partners in their lifetime, and generally cannot lodge a fresh sponsorship within five years of an earlier one, regardless of whether that earlier application succeeded, was refused, or was a Prospective Marriage visa that didn’t proceed to marriage. As with the onshore visa, the relationship is assessed against financial, household, social and commitment evidence — a marriage certificate or statutory declaration on its own is never treated as sufficient.

You're in a de facto relationship or married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen

You're residing outside Australia at the time of application

Your partner sponsors you and provides a sponsorship application

You meet health and character requirements

You have no outstanding debts to the Australian government

WHAT IT GIVES YOU

Live, work, study and travel in Australia without restrictions
Medicare access during your stay
Domestic student fees at Australian institutions
Eligibility for Australian citizenship once you meet residency requirements
The ability to sponsor family members under relevant programs

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Questions or need a hand at any point in the process — our team is here for it

Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Proof of name change (if applicable)
Divorce certificate (if applicable)
National identity card
Police clearance certificates from every relevant country

Form 80 — personal particulars for character assessment, if requested
Statutory declarations covering the history of your relationship
Joint bank statements or financial commitments
Shared household documents — rental agreements, utility bills, lease agreements
Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, shared invitations
Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, invitations to shared events
Correspondence showing ongoing communication and planning together
Statutory declarations from friends and family

The permanent stage — standard and streamlined

The permanent subclass 100 stage is generally assessed around two years after the temporary 309 is granted. Couples with a combined relationship of 5 or more years, or 2 or more years with a dependent child of the relationship, may be eligible for the permanent stage to be finalised without that standard wait. The family violence provisions available for onshore applicants also apply offshore where the relationship genuinely existed before it ended.

Living apart from your Australian partner? Let’s talk through the offshore Partner visa pathway and what your specific
application will need.