Do you want to start a life with your partner in beautiful Australia? Getting an Australia Partner Visa might seem complicated, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. We’ll explain all the visa options, go through the application steps, and give you essential advice. This article is here to guide you every step of the way.

The process of obtaining an Australian spouse visa is intricate and demands a significant investment of time and energy. You must compile supporting documentation before applying for a spouse visa and satisfy specific qualification prerequisites.

 

Introduction to Australia Partner Visa

An Australian partner visa lets your spouse or partner join you in Australia if you’re an Australian citizen or resident. It’s for couples in committed relationships.

Australia provides various partner visa choices for bringing partners together in the country. These options include the Subclass 820/801 visa for married and de facto couples, the Subclass 309/100 visa for those genuinely in a relationship with an Australian citizen, and the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) for couples planning to marry in Australia.

Understanding the Requirements

Before you start the visa application process, it’s important to know the key criteria for a successful application:

Genuine Relationship Evidence: Your application centers on proving your true and lasting partnership. This involves gathering evidence that demonstrates your life together, like shared finances, living arrangements, travel records, photos, and communication.

Financial and Character Standards: Both you and your partner must meet set financial and character criteria for an Australia Partner Visa. Having a clean criminal record and meeting financial benchmarks are vital prerequisites.

 

How long does it take to get a Spouse Visa in Australia?

Getting a Spouse Visa in Australia takes time. The processing duration can vary. It might range from several months to over a year. The exact time depends on factors like the type of visa and how busy the processing system is. Remember that processing times can change, so it’s best to check the official Australian Department of Home Affairs for the most current information.

Prospective Marriage – Temporary – Subclass 300

The prospective marriage visa is for people who want to come to Australia to marry their spouse.  It is a temporary visa & is only valid for nine months but can transition to a permanent resident visa. You must be outside Australia when you lodge your application & also when the visa is granted.

At the time of applying for this visa you must:

• Be aged over 18 years
• Have met your intended spouse in person since you both turned 18 years of age & know each other personally (this includes if you have an arranged marriage, met as children or met online)
• You both must be free to marry
• Genuinely intend to marry your intended spouse
• Genuinely intend to live with your intended spouse as husband & wife
• Meet health & character requirements
• Once you have been granted your visa, you have to ensure that you arrive in Australia before you marry your fiancé.

 

Partner – Temporary, Subclass 820 & Partner – Provisional, Subclass 309

This visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. The subclass 820 is an onshore application & the subclass 309 is an offshore application & you can apply for either of these visas as a de-facto or married couple.

Married Couples

• You must be legally married to your partner – Please note: Not all offshore marriages are recognized by the Australian government, you will need to check this prior to applying for the application or risk the application being rejected
• Clearly show that you & your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life as husband & wife to the exclusion of all others
• Show that you have a genuine & continuing relationship with your partner
• Show that you & your partner are living together on a permanent basis or, if not, that any separation is only temporary
• Meet health & character requirements

De-facto Couples

• You need to be able to prove that you have resided together at the same residential address for 365 consecutive days immediately prior to the application
• Clearly show that you & your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life as husband & wife to the exclusion of all others
• Show that you have a genuine & continuing relationship with your partner
• Show that you & your partner are living together on a permanent basis or, if not, that any separation is only temporary
• Meet health & character requirements

Permanent Partner Visas – Subclasses 801 & 100

Once you have resided with your spouse in Australia for two years, it is time for you to apply for your permanent residence. Depending on whether you applied onshore or offshore you will apply for either subclass 801 or subclass 100. The Department of Immigration & Border Protection will contact you or your migration agent (if you used one for the previous application) when the time comes to apply for your visa application.

You will need to provide clear evidence that you & your partner have resided together for the last two years & still share a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others.

 

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship – Subclass 461

This visa allows a non-New Zealand family member of a New Zealand citizen to live and work in Australia for up to five years as long as their New Zealand citizen spouse resides in Australia with them. You can be onshore or offshore at the time of lodging your visa application.

Other than the forms, this visa requires all the same evidence as a subclass 820 or subclass 309 visa application. You have to be able to prove:

Married: You must be legally married to your partner – Please note: Not all offshore marriages are recognized by the Australian government, you will need to check this prior to applying for the application or risk the application being rejected

De-facto: You need to be able to prove that you have resided together at the same residential address for 365 consecutive days immediately prior to the application

Clearly show that you & your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others

Show that you have a genuine & continuing relationship with your partner

Show that you & your partner are living together on a permanent basis or, if not, that any separation is only temporary

Meet health &character requirements

 

Why choose ACIC Melbourne Services?

At ACIC Melbourne Services we distinguish ourselves from the majority of agents who often provide an indifferent, high cost services. We have more than 36 years of experience and a high success rate & will assist you in all steps of the application process to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome.

If you have any queries or would like to get in contact with ACIC Melbourne.

The Australian visa application process is quite challenging and requires careful planning to achieve successful visa approval. Therefore, understanding the eligibility criteria, required documents, and the application process is very important.

So, if you are searching for answers to questions like what is a 407 training visa, what is the eligibility criteria to apply for this visa, and how can you get this visa in 2024, read this blog post.

A training visa (subclass 407) allows candidates to participate in workplace-based occupational training activities in Australia. This visa is designed to improve your skills for your job, field of expertise, or professional development training in Australia. It is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia for up to two years.

• You can apply for the training visa both onshore and offshore.
• You can complete the training within two years in Australia.
• You can travel to and from Australia frequently till the visa is valid.
• You can bring your family members to Australia with this visa.

Applying for a visa can be a daunting process, especially when there’s so much at stake. Whether it’s a work visa, a student visa, or a family visa, getting rejected can be a frustrating and disheartening experience. Understanding the common reasons why visa applications are rejected can help you avoid these pitfalls and improve your chances of a successful application. A migration agent at ACIC Melbourne explains the top reasons for visa rejections and tips on how to avoid them.

One of the most common reasons for visa rejection is incomplete or incorrect documentation. Visa applications require a variety of supporting documents to verify your identity, purpose of travel, financial stability, and other relevant details. Missing a single document or providing incorrect information can lead to an outright rejection.

How to Avoid This:
Ensure that you thoroughly review the visa requirements for the type of visa you are applying for. Create a checklist of all the necessary documents and double-check each one before submission. If you are unsure about any document, consult with a migration expert who can provide guidance on the documentation process and Visa lodgment.

Many visa applications require proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself (and any dependents) during your stay in the country. If the financial evidence provided does not meet the required threshold or seems inconsistent, your application may be denied.

How to Avoid This:
Carefully review the financial requirements for your specific visa type. Provide clear and detailed evidence of your financial status, including bank statements, employment letters, and any other financial documents. It’s also helpful to include a letter explaining your financial situation to provide additional context.

How to Avoid This:
Thoroughly research the different types of visas available and carefully consider which one best suits your situation. If in doubt, seek professional advice to ensure you are applying for the correct visa type.

How to Avoid This:
Always ensure that the information provided on your visa application is consistent across all documents. If there are any discrepancies, provide a clear and concise explanation in your cover letter. Honesty is the best policy, and providing a transparent and well-documented application can help avoid misunderstandings.

How to Avoid This:
Provide strong evidence of your ties to your home country, such as property ownership, family connections, or a job to return to. Additionally, a well-written statement of purpose can help convey your genuine intentions and reassure the immigration authorities.

Whether studying in China or abroad, many students will face the need to transfer schools for various reasons. International students in Australia often encounter similar situations.

Of course, there are also some forced transfers, such as:

– Failed to pass the preparatory course and could not be directly promoted;

– Near the end of the semester, insufficient preparation, and major mistakes in the exam;

– Poor grades and facing the risk of expulsion;

– Already expelled and must transfer to continue their studies.

If you are studying in Australia and plan to transfer or change your major, this guide will help you understand the key steps and precautions!

It is usually easier to change majors within the same school. You can:

Consult the student advisor for details of the new course, find out if the course is suitable for you, and confirm the admission requirements.

Submit the application within the time specified by the school and wait for the school to approve it.

Tips: If the new major overlaps with the current course, the credits previously taken will usually not be wasted.

Visa Compliance: Student visa regulations must be followed when transferring, and specific requirements may vary depending on the reason for the transfer.

Score and Language Requirements: Most schools do not disclose specific score cutoffs, and the evaluation may be based on your background. Some majors may require English scores, but they can usually be exempted.

Main Course Requirements: Students generally need to complete at least 6 months of main courses at their original school before they can transfer. If there is a release letter, the time limit no longer applies.

Get an offer from a new school: Prerequisites for applying for a Release Letter.

Renewal Reminder: If the completion date of your new course exceeds the validity period of your current visa, be sure to apply for renewal in advance.

6-month calculation method: For example, you start studying for a master’s degree at University B in March 2024 and plan to transfer to University A in July 2024. If you transfer to another school before the main course is 6 months, you need to apply for a release letter even if you have an admission letter from the new school.

Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is the world’s first comprehensive university ranking. Since its first release in 2003, this year is the 22nd edition. With its objective and transparent evaluation system, ARWU has become one of the pioneers of international university rankings and is widely recognized and cited. Governments and universities around the world are committed to improving the international competitiveness of their countries and universities by analyzing this ranking.

When ranking, the highest-scoring university is scored 100 points on each indicator, and other universities are scored in proportion to the highest value. If the data of any indicator is obviously abnormal, conventional statistical methods are used for processing.

The ARF has published for the first time the basic principles for the cap on university and VET (vocational education and training) college admissions, including: International student ratio limit: Each institution must not admit more than 40% of the total number of international students (6:4 local students: international students). Baseline data: This limit is based on 2019 admissions data, not 2024 data. Implementation time: The policy is basically set to take effect from January 1, 2025 and last for two years. The federal cabinet will soon review these basic principles and is expected to announce the specific admissions caps for each university in the coming days. Although schools generally believe that the implementation time of January 1, 2025 is too hasty, the government is currently insisting that it will not be postponed and has decided to enforce it from January 1, 2025.

Based on the situation in 2023, about 10 universities will have an international student enrolment ratio of more than 40%. These universities include: – University of Sydney – University of Melbourne – Monash University – University of Queensland – University of New South Wales – University of Wollongong – RMIT University – Torrens University These caps are set based on 2019 data. As of April 2019, the total number of international students in all Australian universities was 671,200. Based on this benchmark, the University of Sydney is expected to cut 12,150 international student places, while the University of Melbourne is expected to cut 7,725 places.

The government held a hearing in Canberra today to discuss the amendment of legislation to set a cap on international student enrollment. Affected schools, especially the Group of Eight institutions, have expressed opposition to the policy, arguing that it will damage the entire education industry and accusing the policy of being politically colored. The CEO of the International Education Association of Australia pointed out that the government’s choice to base it on 2019 data was actually based on political considerations rather than an accurate reflection of the situation before the epidemic.

It is expected that after the specific upper limit figures are announced, popular universities and popular majors will take the following countermeasures: Raise the application threshold and reduce the number of applicants Implement a screening system to give priority to excellent applicants Shorten the time to accept offers and increase application competition Popular majors in popular schools may have early application deadlines Possible tuition increases These adjustments will make it more difficult to apply for popular schools and majors, especially for students who plan to apply for 25S1 admission, including those who have been conditionally admitted and those who have not yet submitted an application. In addition, if the policy is actually implemented, in order to ensure the normal operation of the school, stable funding and normal research plans, the tuition fees for international students may be increased. Overall, this new policy will have a profound impact on the application process for international students, especially for those who hope to enter popular universities and majors, and future application competition will become more intense.

According to authoritative analysis, the number of international students is expected to drop by 63,500 in the next year, which will directly lead to a revenue gap of up to A$1.1 billion for universities. The ACIL Allen Consulting research report commissioned by the University of Sydney warned that this policy may bring a heavy loss of A$4.1 billion to the Australian economy, and predicted that by 2025, more than 20,000 jobs will be lost directly or indirectly. This forecast is not limited to short-term impacts, but also reveals deep concerns about long-term economic vitality. In 2023, Monash University earned nearly A$1.1 billion from international students, which accounted for more than one-third of the school’s total revenue. If these international students are lost, the school’s future development will be severely impacted. Therefore, Sharon Pickering, president of Monash University, has firmly opposed the bill to limit the number of international students in front of the Senate committee. Monash University is responsible for 25% of clinical trials in Australia. Without the income from international students, a large part of the research will be cut due to funding pressure. Therefore, the school hopes to revise the plan and postpone the implementation time to 2026 to leave more buffer time.

The Labor Party has implemented a number of strict restrictions on international student visas, including increasing the visa fee to $1,600 and making it more difficult to apply for a student visa. In addition, work visas for international students after graduation are also subject to restrictions (age restrictions, cancellation of two-year extensions for specific majors), and their validity periods are also shortened. These measures have had a significant impact on the international study industry, resulting in a decrease in the number of international students choosing Australia. If school quotas are cut again, students interested in applying to Australian universities will face more tests and fiercer competition. Students who hope to enroll in 25S1 should be urgent and submit their applications as soon as possible!

Policy changes and implementation: The Australian government plans to limit the proportion of overseas students to 40% of the total number of students, a policy that will be implemented over the next two years based on 2019 data. This shows that the government has a need to control the current proportion of overseas students and hopes to make adjustments to educational institutions in the coming period.
Implementation details: The specific limits and implementation details have not yet been fully clarified, but are expected to be announced soon. The policy will take effect from 2025, although some universities have called for a delay in implementation.
Impact on universities: Universities such as the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne will need to significantly reduce the number of overseas students to comply with the new regulations, which may have a significant impact on their enrollment plans and financial situation.
Economic and educational impact: The implementation of the policy has sparked widespread controversy. Some people are concerned that this restriction will have a negative impact on Australia’s international education reputation, economy and university operations, and may lead to a reduction in international student enrollment, thereby affecting financial support for higher education.
Political background: This policy is seen as part of a political means to deal with immigration issues and election pressures, and has also been criticized by different educational circles, who believe that this decision may be politically motivated.
The future of international education: The Education Minister and university vice-chancellors have different views on this policy. The former believes that the reform will help ensure the quality and integrity of education, while the latter worry that the policy will damage Australia’s international reputation and economy.