To couples commencing the Australian immigration process, the Partner Visa 100 is a welcome home finish line. The permanent visa allows the spouse or de facto partner or eligible New Zealand citizen of the Australian citizen's or permanent resident to live in Australia permanently. It is the second part of the partner visa process — one beginning with the temporary Partner Visa 309.
If you are intent on spending eternity together in Australia, you will need to have some idea about how the Partner Visa 100 works. From being eligible through benefits, deadlines to advice — this report guides you through every essential fact that you will require getting familiarized with.
What Is the Partner Visa 100?
The Partner Visa 100 (subclass 100) grants permanent residence to a person who is in a continuing relationship with a suitable Australian partner. This one is unlike the previous temporary one in that it will allow you to stay here permanently. It also permits you to have the right to work, study, and even seek citizenship in the future.
In summary: the Partner Visa 100 binds you tighter to your Australian future.
Who Can Apply?
Prior to getting the Partner Visa 100 actually granted, you should already have applied for the Partner Visa 309 — the temporary part of this two-part application. Usually, you would make this initial application while outside Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs usually assesses your suitability for the Partner Visa 100 about two years after lodging the combined 309/100 application.
You will need to meet the following to be eligible:
Be in a genuine, ongoing relationship with your sponsoring partner
Be sponsored by a sponsor who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Pass health and character tests
Still be in a relationship at the time of making the decision on the visa (except in exceptional circumstances)
If married or in a de facto relationship, either will do — provided there's proof of genuineness and commitment.
Application Process: Step by Step
Although the 309 and 100 are contained within one single application, they're addressed in two steps. This is how the entire process typically functions:
Step 1: Submit the Partner Visa 309/100 Application
You submit applications for both the temporary and permanent visa at the same time. You are expected to present evidence of the relationship, identification, and other supporting documents to meet the eligibility test.
Step 2: Receive the Temporary Visa (Subclass 309)
Once you're granted the 309 visa, you can live, work, and study in Australia until the permanent period is determined. This span of time helps Immigration monitor how long your relationship has been.
Step 3: Wait (Usually About 2 Years)
About two years from the day you first applied, the Department will request you to provide new documents and proof to support the Partner Visa 100.
This is your chance to prove that the relationship has lasted and is genuine. You will most likely provide:
Joint bank accounts
Lease agreements or deeds
Photos and letters
Affidavits from friend or relative confirming your relationship
Any recent updates (e.g., marriage or birth of a child)
Step 4: Assessment and Grant of the Partner Visa 100
Once that is established, you will be given the Partner Visa 100 and, by virtue of it, permanent residency in Australia.
How Long Does It Take?
Processing times are unpredictable, but the following is typical for most applicants:
75% of Partner Visa 100 application processes take between 15 and 20 months
90% take up to 24 months or longer
The time frame also depends a little on how well your paperwork is organized. Being prompt in responding to any further requests from the Department can help keep things on track.
What Does It Cost?
You pay the cost of both phases of the visa — temporary and permanent.
As of 2025, the fee is:
AUD 8,850 for the main applicant
Dependant fees (with additional children)
It's a costly amount, to be sure. But to some, having the opportunity to start life in Australia is an expense worth taking.
What Do You Do Once Your Visa Is Granted?
Once your Partner Visa 100 is granted, you are officially an Australian permanent resident. That comes with several advantages:
Work and reside anywhere in Australia
Study on local conditions and receive some education loans
Enroll on Medicare, the Australian public health system
Be eligible to apply for citizenship once you have become eligible for residency
Bring through relatives to come to Australia and live with you
Come and go to Australia whenever you wish for five years
In five years, you'll need to apply for a Resident Return Visa if you want to travel abroad and come back to Australia without risking your PR status.
Can You Get It Sooner?
Yes — in some situations, the Partner Visa 100 can be granted sooner than two years after application. These are:
You've been in a relationship for at least 3 years, or
You have been together for 2 years and have a child with you
There are exceptions as well, in the case of break-up because of domestic violence or sponsor's death. The Department deals with them empathetically and considers each one of them individually.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Referring to Partner Visa 100 is done with the highest caution. Any kind of error in any measurement will destroy your visa or turn your visa into a nightmare that you don't need.
Don't commit these common errors:
Referring to conflicting or outdated evidence
Not reporting the Department in case of change of circumstances
Missing deadlines for filing additional evidence when necessary
Failure to provide personal statements (from both of you) about the relationship
Expecting a marriage certificate to be enough proof by itself (it is not)
Tips for a Strong Application
Begin early: Don’t expect the Department to call you. Prepare your supporting documents well in advance of the two-year mark.
Be genuine: Write heartfelt personal statements. The Department deals with thousands and can usually see what is authentic.
Show your life together: Think about photos, joint bills, Christmas agendas, and messages showing your relationship over time.
Put it in order: Label documents clearly and include timelines if needed.
Seek assistance if necessary: While not required to have a migration agent, it can make things easier for you, particularly for more complex cases.
The Partner Visa 100 is not just a piece of paper — it's the key to building a life together in Australia with your partner. It brings stability, rights and the ability to get real roots down.
Yes, it can be slow and even overwhelming at times, but if you're prepared and patient, yes, it can be accomplished. The more diligent you are to document your relationship and the more proactive you are during the process, the more likely you are to succeed.
If you’re at the stage of applying or about to be assessed for the Partner Visa 100, take a deep breath. You’re already well on your way to calling Australia home.
