The Ultimate Guide to the Australian Partner Visa Subclass 100: Eligibility, Process & Checklist

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Introduction

Australia is renowned for its open immigration policy welcoming families and its stunning scenery and robust economy. Partner Visa 100 is the most popular route for Australian citizen spouses, de facto partners, permanent residents, and some New Zealand citizens. The visa, or the Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100), grants the applicant to settle permanently in Australia with the partner. The purpose of this detailed guide is to outline the partner visa subclass 100 application, eligibility, and document requirements.

What Is the Partner Visa Subclass 100?

The Australian Partner Visa Subclass 100 is a permanent visa for those who have a genuine and continuing relationship with their sponsor eligible Australian individual. It’s the second half of a two-part process after the temporary Partner Visa Subclass 309.

Upon being granted, subclass 100 visa enables the visa holder to stay, work, and study in Australia permanently. It also makes the holder entitled to participate in Australia’s public health system (Medicare) and, in the end, Australian citizenship, provided they meet other criteria.

Partner Visa 100 Eligibility Requirements

To be qualified for the subclass 100 partner visa, one should first have a Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309). The provisional visa is provided since the Department of Home Affairs screens the applicant to see whether they qualify to be granted permanent residence. The most important eligibility criteria for the subclass 100 visa are:

  1. Relationship Requirements

    1. You need to be married or the de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying New Zealand citizen.
    2. Your relationship needs to be genuine and on-going.
    3. You need to live with your partner or be not permanently separated from each other.
  2. Time Requirement
    1. Generally, the applicants will be eligible for the permanent subclass 100 visa two years after the point of the first partner visa application. In some cases—i.e., long-term relationships or relationship children—the permanent visa may become available sooner.

  3. Health and Character Requirements

    1. The subclass 100 partner visa applicants and any accompanying dependent family members they might have will be required to satisfy Australia’s health and character tests. These would usually be the form of medical checks and police certificates.

Benefits of the Partner Visa Subclass 100

In order to acquire the partner visa subclass 100 has the following advantages:

  • Australian permanent residence
  • Australian work and study advantages for free
  • Eligibility for Medicare
  • Authorization to sponsor family members to Australia
  • Easing into Australian citizenship

Step-by-Step Guide Application Process

Step 1: Apply for a 309 Partner Visa

The first step is to make one application for both the permanent subclass 100 visa and the temporary subclass 309 visa. You apply online on the website of the Department of Home Affairs. You should be outside Australia when you are making your application and when your 309 visa is granted.

Step 2: Have a 309 visa approved

This phase entails reviewing your personal history, documentation, and relationship. Depending on the complexity of your case, processing times can range from 12 to 24 months.

Step 3: Subclass 100 Eligibility Review

The Department of Home Affairs will evaluate your eligibility for the permanent visa about two years after the initial application. You’ll be asked to provide updated relationship evidence.

Step 4: Grant of the Partner Visa Subclass 100

If the relationship remains genuine and all conditions are met, the department will grant the subclass 100 visa. You’ll be notified in writing, and your status will officially change to permanent resident.

The Partner Visa 100 Document Checklist

Preparing a complete and accurate application is crucial for success. Below is a comprehensive partner visa 100 document checklist to guide you:

  1. Identity Documents

    1. Passport biodata page
    2. Birth certificate showing both parents’ names
    3. National ID (if applicable)

  2. Relationship Evidence

    1. Marriage certificate or proof of de facto relationship
    2. Joint bank account statements
    3. Shared utility bills
    4. Lease or mortgage documents in both names
    5. Photographs together over time
    6. Travel itineraries as a couple

  3. Sponsor Documents

    1. Evidence of the sponsor’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency
    2. Character declarations
    3. Police clearance certificates

  4. Character and Health

    1. Police certificates from all countries you’ve lived in for more than 12 months
    2. Medical examination results

  5. Dependents (if any)

    1. Birth certificates
    2. School records
    3. Custody documents (if necessary)

  6. Statements

    1. Personal statements from your partner about the history of your relationship
    2. Statutory declarations from relatives and friends showing evidence of the genuineness of your relationship

  7. Other Evidence

    1. Social evidence (guest visits, social photo, social media messages)
    2. Evidence of shared responsibilities (children, pet pets, joint mortgages)

Advice to Win a Successful Partner Visa 100 Application

Consistency at all costs

Whatever your documents state has to be consistent. Inconsistencies cause red flags and halt the process.

Storage of Evidence as Ongoing

Continue collecting evidence of your relationship after submitting your application. This will come in handy when processing for the permanent visa.

Be Honest

Any act of dishonesty or providing incorrect information will result in the refusal of your visa or an outright ban on future application.

Think of a Migration Agent

Optional but being registered under Australian immigration law as an agent will make your application more deserving and Australian immigration law compliant.

Typical Reasons Visa Is Refused

Possessing a legitimate relationship, applications are normally refused due to multiple reasons, such as:

  • There is not sufficient proof of a legitimate relationship
  • Poor documentation
  • Not healthy or of good character sufficient
  • Evidence provided being conflicting

Prevent such errors by reading carefully the partner visa 100 document checklist and referring to experts as needed.

Costs Involved

From the year 2025, a fee to lodge the combined Partner Visa (subclass 309 and subclass 100) of AUD 8,850 has to be paid for the main applicant. Additional costs are paid by dependents. There can also be additional costs for medical examination, police certificates, and translating documents.

Processing Times

Processing times will differ based on how intricate your application and how busy the Department of Home Affairs is with applications. As an indication:

  • Subclass 309 (temporary): 12–20 months
  • Subclass 100 (permanent): 6–12 months after temporary visa

Can You Work or Study While Waiting?

Yes. Once you have ever held a subclass 309 visa, you may stay, study and work in Australia until the application for subclass 100 visa is determined. You also are eligible to apply for and get Medicare throughout the period.

Pathway to citizenship

Having the partner visa subclass 100 is a wonderful milestone on the journey to gaining Australian citizenship. Having four years’ possession of Australian residency as a permanent resident (at least 12 months’ possession as a PR), you can apply for citizenship if you meet residence and character tests.

Relationship Breakdown While Processing

If the relationship goes wrong after your support for the 309 visa but before approval of the 100 visa, your application will be in jeopardy. Exceptions exist, however:

  • When you are a victim of domestic violence
  • Where you have sole care or joint responsibility for children
  • When the partner has died

In each of these circumstances, the Department will permit your application to go ahead on compassionate grounds.

Special Considerations

Same-Sex Couples

Same-sex couples are also eligible for the partner visa subclass 100 if their relationship is subject to the same evidentiary and legal tests as a heterosexual couple.

De Facto Relationships

Otherwise, you must have had a de facto relationship of at least 12 months’ duration prior to lodging unless you have had your relationship registered with Australian state or territory law.

Final Thoughts

The Australia Subclass 100 Partner Visa is not only an administrative process but as much a journey of emotions too. If a person has clear thoughts regarding eligibility, an initial step-by-step compliance of partner visa 100 document checklist, and an open honest well-documented application, the process may become an appalling lot easier.

Although theoretically possible to do by yourself, since so much depends on it and the procedure so complicated, couples will naturally turn to professional guidance. Whether you go it alone or pay a migration agent, being knowledgeable and prepared will make an astronomical difference to your success.