Breakdown of Relationship – Partner Visa

If you are holding a temporary partner visa (Subclass 820 / Subclass 309), you may still be eligible for a permanent partner visa (Subclass 801/ Subclass 100).

Eligibility for Permanent Partner Visa

You may continue to be eligible for a permanent visa if:

Your relationship has ended because your partner has passed away.
Your relationship has ended and there was family violence involved.
You and your partner have a child of the relationship

Death of partner

To be eligible for a permanent visa, you must show that the you would still meet the requirements for the permanent partner visa but for the death of the sponsor. For Subclass 820 holder, you must also show that you have developed close business, cultural and personal ties in Australia.

Family violence

The family violence provisions in the migration law allows for applicant to be able to apply for a permanent visa if the relationship ended and there is family violence committed by the sponsor. You do not have to show that the relationship broke down because of family violence. Family violence is defined to be conduct, whether actual or threatened that causes the alleged victim to reasonably fear for, or to be reasonably apprehensive about, his or her own wellbeing or safety. The victim of family violence can be the main applicant or the dependent child of the applicant and/or of the sponsor. For subclass 309 holder, you must show that the family violence occurred after you have entered Australia.

Child/ Children of the relationship

Another situation where you may be eligible for a permanent partner visa is if you and your husband have a child or children of the relationship. For this to apply, you must have joint custody or joint access to the child / children.

Informing the Department of Home Affairs

If your relationship has broken down, you have an obligation to inform the Department of Home Affairs about the change in circumstances. It is a condition of the partner visa.

Partner Visa Assessment

I’m in Australia and you want to stay in Australia due to the COVID-19 situation

You can stay in Australia on a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).

If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

You may be able to get a bridging visa. This will allow you to stay until:

you have a new visa or,
have made arrangements to leave.

If your visa has expired or is expiring book a consultation to discuss your options.

Leaving Australia

If you leave Australia and your visa expires when you are overseas, you will need to apply for and be granted a new visa before you can return to Australia.

All visa holders must comply with current travel restrictions.

Important update: English Test for Permanent Stage of Partner Visas & Partner visa changes ahead- 2021

The new changes to Sponsored family visa’s, will be implemented for Partner visas by the end of 2021. The changes mean that Sponsorships must be lodged first and approved before Partner visas can be lodged. This change will adversely impact onshore Partner visa applicants wanting to lodge a visa application prior to their substantive visa expiring. The sponsorship application will be assessed separately and will need to be approved before a valid Partner visa application can be lodged.

If you are planning to apply for a Partner visa we recommend booking an appointment to discuss and understand how these changes may impact you.

I’m overseas and would like to travel to Australia during the COVID-19

The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is a temporary visa. Temporary visa holders are not currently allowed to travel to Australia. This means, you must comply with the current travel restriction.

See current travel restrictions.

If your visa expires before you can travel to Australia you will need to apply for a new visa.

Explore your visa options.

A subclass 300 visa expiry date cannot be extended.

If you are unsure about your general visa requirements: