Two years can feel endless when your future sits in a government inbox. Yet if you hold a temporary partner visa, you’ve already cleared the toughest hurdle. The next milestone is permanent residency, and it arrives through the Subclass 100 Partner Visa. Think of your temporary visa as a long engagement and this stage as the wedding day. You still need the right paperwork, fresh relationship evidence and a little patience. Here’s everything you need to prepare.
What Is the Subclass 100 Partner Visa?
Purpose of the Partner (Migrant) visa
This is the permanent Partner visa for people who join an Australian citizen, Australia permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It lets you live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
Subclass 309 versus Subclass 100
Outside Australia, you lodge one combined application. The Subclass 309 is the temporary stage, and the Subclass 100 is the permanent one. You don’t pay twice. Instead, Home Affairs reviews your relationship again later.
Who should apply?
Anyone granted a Subclass 309 who wants permanence should expect this assessment. Because it’s part of the same application, you don’t submit a separate form. You simply wait for the permanent stage to open and then upload your evidence.
Subclass 100 Visa Eligibility Requirements
Holding the right temporary visa
You must hold a Subclass 309, or an eligible Subclass 445 visa for dependent children. Your original application must also remain valid.
A genuine and ongoing relationship
Home Affairs wants proof that you still share a committed life. A couple that only looks good on paper won’t pass. You should be able to show shared finances, a shared home, social recognition and mutual commitment.
Sponsor requirements
Your sponsor must stay eligible and remain in the relationship with you. If the sponsor withdraws, your application may stall.
Health, character and immigration history
You must still meet health and character standards. Expect to refresh police certificates and, sometimes, medical checks.
Exceptions worth knowing
Some applicants can receive the permanent visa sooner. For example, a long relationship of three years or more at lodgement can qualify, as can two years with a dependent child. Humanitarian and family violence provisions also exist. Check the official Home Affairs Subclass 100 page for the current rules.
Subclass 100 Visa Processing Time
When does the assessment start?
The permanent stage generally opens about two years after you lodged the original application. Home Affairs then invites you to supply updated evidence through ImmiAccount.
How to check current timeframes
Processing times change often. Rather than trust an old blog post, check the live figures on the Home Affairs website. Many applicants wait several months once the assessment begins, though the length varies by case.
What causes delays?
- Missing or outdated documents
- Unexpired police certificates or health checks
- Changes in your relationship or address
- Slow replies to department requests
How to stay ahead
Start gathering evidence early. Reply to every request quickly. A tidy file moves faster than a messy one.
Subclass 100 Visa Documents Checklist
Identity documents
Bring a current passport, birth certificate and any name-change records.
Relationship evidence
Home Affairs looks at four areas. Cover each one:
- Financial: joint bank statements, shared loans, bills
- Household: a lease or mortgage, utility accounts, mail at one address
- Social: photos together, messages, statements from friends and family
- Commitment: travel records, wills, insurance naming each other
Police certificates and character documents
Obtain fresh certificates from each country where you’ve lived for a set period. Old ones often expire before the assessment finishes.
Changes in circumstances
Tell the department about a new child, a move or any shift in your relationship. Honesty protects your application.
Subclass 100 Partner Visa Application Process
Understanding the combined application
There’s no separate permanent application. Your first lodgement covers both stages.
Using ImmiAccount
Once the permanent stage opens, log in to your ImmiAccount. Upload updated evidence there. Then track every message from Home Affairs.
Responding to requests
If a case officer asks for more information, answer within the deadline. Silence can slow things or harm your outcome.
Fees and Permanent Residency Benefits
When you pay
You pay the visa application charge when you lodge the combined application. Fees change, so confirm the amount with Home Affairs before lodging.
What permanent residency gives you
- Unlimited work and study rights
- Access to Medicare
- A travel facility to leave and re-enter Australia for five years
- The ability to sponsor eligible relatives
- A pathway to Australian citizenship
Most people can apply for citizenship after four years of lawful residence, including at least one year as a Australia permanent resident. Review the citizenship requirements before you apply.
Common Subclass 100 Visa Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending outdated evidence. Stale bank statements raise doubts.
- Assuming permanence is automatic. It isn’t. You must pass the assessment.
- Hiding changes. A separation or new baby must be reported.
- Ignoring police certificates. Expired ones cause avoidable delays.
How Ausizz Migration Consultants Can Help
Paperwork piles up fast. At Ausizz Migration Consultants, we review your permanent-stage requirements, organise your relationship evidence and explain each step in plain language. You’ll know what to upload and when. Because every couple’s story differs, we tailor our advice to yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the visa take?
The assessment usually begins around two years after lodgement. After that, timing depends on your documents and Home Affairs workloads.
Can I apply directly for the Subclass 100?
No. You apply through the combined Subclass 309/100 application.
Do I need to prove my relationship again?
Yes. You must show the relationship is still genuine and continuing.
Can I work and use Medicare?
You can work on your temporary visa. Medicare access generally follows the permanent grant, so check your eligibility.
What if my relationship ends before the visa is granted?
Tell the department immediately. Certain protections may apply, including for family violence cases. Seek advice quickly.
Conclusion
The Subclass 100 Partner Visa is the finish line of a long journey. Prepare early, keep your evidence current and respond to every request promptly. Doing so gives you the best chance of a smooth result. Ready to take the next step? Contact Ausizz Migration Consultants today and book a consultation. We’ll help you move from temporary to permanent with confidence.