The Spouse/Partner visa enables partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to apply to enter and/or remain permanently in Australia. The Spouse/Partner visa can be applied for from either inside or outside Australia.

If you are applying while you are in Australia you must also hold a valid substantive visa and be in Australia at the time the visa is granted. If you are applying from outside Australia then you must also be outside of Australia at the time the visa is granted.

Australian Spouse/Partner Visa Basic Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a Spouse/Partner visa you must be either married to or in a de facto with:

• An Australian citizen; or
• An Australian permanent resident; or
• An eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Marriage

To be eligible to apply for a Spouse/Partner visa as a married partner, your marriage must be legal under Australian law.

De Facto

To be eligible to apply for a Spouse/Partner visa as a de facto partner, you and your partner must generally have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months prior to submitting your application.

The definition of �de facto� partner extends to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

You are also required to satisfy health and character requirements.

Australian Spouse/Partner Visa Entitlements

An application for the Spouse/Partner visa is a two stages application. Initially a temporary Spouse/Partner visa will be granted and will be valid for two years from the date of application. After this time, your relationship must be continual and if assessed to be genuine, you will be granted a permanent Spouse/Partner visa. Only one application form and one application fee is required to complete this two stage application.

Successful applicants and holders of a permanent Australian Spouse/Partner visa become permanent residents of Australia. As a permanent resident, you are entitled to live, work and study in Australia on a permanent basis. When you are granted permanent residence, a visa label is placed in your passport as proof of your permanent residence status.

Additional benefits of Australian permanent residence include access to government-subsidised healthcare (Medicare), certain social security benefits and the ability to apply for Australian citizenship.