Subclass 309 visa – How to get a partner visa approval in 2023?

In 2022-2023, 40,500 partner visas were granted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA). You want to apply for a Subclass 309 visa, but has it been delayed for some reasons?
It is estimated that around 40,500 Partner visas will be available in 2023-2024. How to receive a visa Subclass 309 approval in this financial year? Keep reading to get advice from our 12-year-of-experienced migration consultant.
What is a Subclass 309 visa?
A Partner (Provisional) visa – Subclass 309, allows a spouse/partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia temporarily. This visa is the first stage before applying for a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
What is a Subclass 100 visa?
Partner (Migrant) visa, or visa Subclass 100, is granted to people who are holding a Visa 309. It allows a spouse/partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently.
The Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visa application must be lodged at the same time. However, the two subclass visas may be granted separately.
The benefits of a Subclass 309/100 visa
With a Subclass 309/100 visa, the applicant can live and work in Australia. Whether you are a temporary or permanent resident, you will be entitled for the following benefits:
Benefit / Subclass | 309 | 100 |
Residency | Live with your spouse in Australia while your Subclass 100 is being processed. |
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Multiple entries | Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the Partner Subclass 100 is being processed. | Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want. |
Study and work |
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Family member benefits | Allow your eligible family members to apply for the visa together with you. | |
Social aspect | Access to Medicare – an Australia’s universal health insurance scheme. |

If you want to apply for a Partner visa when you are in Australia, please refer to the Subclass 820/801 visa. You also can read about Subclass 300 visa – Prospective Marriage visa which may be a suitable pathway for your circumstance.
The requirements of a Subclass 309 visa
For the applicant |
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For the sponsor |
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For both |
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Visa 309/100 may be the shorter pathway that helps the process of being permanently with your partner/spouse faster in Australia compared to Subclass 300.
However, the requirements for Subclass 309/100 are also more demanding compared to the ones of Subclass 300. Contact VEM for further advice.
If you understand and are clear about what pathway of partner visas suits your circumstance from the beginning, there is a higher chance for your visa being granted.
Processing times of Australia 309 visa
A proper preparation of your visa application can bring a positive impact on the time processing. According to the latest updates from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the visa 309 processing time is around 5 to 96 months.
Subclass 309 | Subclass 100 | |
75% of applications are processed within | 37 months | 18 months |
90% of applications are processed within | 96 months | 23 months |
Problems relating to supporting documents are the main reasons for being refused a Visa 300. For more than 12 years of working in the migration field, Mr. Peter Cao (CEO of VEM), a registered migration agent, has helped many clients being granted the Visa 309 earlier than expected.

If you are unsure about your visa application, please contact VEM for further advice and assessment. We can confidently assist you to have your partner visa process go through smoothly.
Steps to apply for a 309 visa
The process of applying for a Partner (Provisional) visa includes 5 steps:
- Step 1: Check whether you meet the requirements.
- Step 2: Apply for the Subclass 309/100 visa.
- Step 3: Receive the grant of Subclass 309 and if without Subclass 100 visa grant.
- Step 4: Prepare and lodge Subclass 100 visa application after 2 years since the lodgement of Australia 309 visa application.
- Step 5: Receive the Subclass 100 visa.

The cost of a Subclass 309/100 visa
Visa application charge is paid once for both Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visas.
Types of charges and fees | The amount of money (AUD) |
For the visa applicant | AUD8,885 |
For the additional applicant |
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Health, police certificates, and biometrics fees | Approximately 300 per person |
Note: The fees listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.

Visa application charges may increase every year. Making a visa application within financial years can help you save a certain amount of money.
Required documents for a Subclass 309/100 visa
Required documents for Subclass 309/100 Partner visa must be as follows:
Types of documents | |
Identification papers |
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Financial aspect | Proofs showing financial sharing: bank accounts, credit cards, bills, etc. |
Domestic aspects |
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Social aspect | Proofs shows that your relationship is known by others. |
Long-term commitment aspect |
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Application forms | Online application forms via ImmiAccount. Contact VEM for assistance. |
Common reasons for a Subclass 309/100 visa being refused
Knowing these mistakes would reduce the risk of your Australia 309/100 visa being rejected. In most cases, the application for a Partner visa is refused due to:
Documents inaccuracy |
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Inaccurate relationship proofs | Lacking evidence of:
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Interview mistakes |
VEM suggests several questions that help increase your chances of visa approval. Contact us for more details. |

Sometimes small mistakes can lead to the negative outcome of your visa application.
Contact VEM to increase the chance of your visa approval. Mr. Peter Cao (CEO of VEM), a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877) and member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), has always been among the first people to get updates of Australian immigration changes. We, therefore, know how to prepare and lodge your visa application that meets the requirements.
Client’s story
VEM represented Ms. Mai Thu Hoa and her husband – Mr. Barry Wayne Hodges, to submit their Subclass 309/100 visa on June 16, 2021. After about 9 months, Ms. Hoa was granted the Subclass 100 resident visa!
Before receiving VEM’s so, Ms. Hoa had encountered many difficulties in applying for her visa:
- She was banned for 3 years because of her visa refusal due to bad services from another company. This means she couldn’t apply for another visa for 3 years.
- Other migration agents refused to take her case.
However, Mr. Peter Cao, our qualified and experienced consultant had successfully helped her to be granted her Subclass 309/100 visa.
Other VEM’s clients, Ms. Tien Kim Nhung and Mr. James Sumner Macpherson, were also granted a Australia 309 visa.
Before contacting VEM, they planned to apply for the visa themselves. But when they knew that the visa application charge is not refundable if their visa is refused, the couple decided to contact us.
With the support of Mr. Peter Cao, Ms. Nhung applied for a partner visa 309 on March 26, 2021. Three months later, on June 25, 2021, she was granted the visa. Currently, the couple is settling down in Surfer Paradise in Queensland, Australia.
In addition, on May 17, 2021, Ms. Nga Doan and her husband, Dean Arndel were very happy to have a visa 300 granted with our support.
After being granted the visa, Ms. Nga and her son arrived in Brisbane, Australia on August 1, 2021. Mr. Dean also shared that he was satisfied with VEM’s services and would let his friend know about VEM.
Frequently asked questions
Holding a Subclass 309 visa, you can stay in Australia until you get your permanent residency when the Subclass 100 visa is granted. If your application is strong you can get both Subclass 309 and Subclass 100 visas granted at the same time.
Yes, as long as they meet the requirements.
You should come to Australia within 12 months since the visa grant.
This is a Partner permanent visa (Subclass 100) so you can travel in and out Australia within 5 years.
Unfortunately, no. Once you have paid the fee, you will not get a refund if your visa application is refused.
To avoid wasting time and money, contact VEM for assistance.
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We hope you find this article helpful. To increase the chance of your visa success, contact VEM for further advice and assistance!
Find out more about other Australian visa:
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How much is your fees for lodging partner visa 309/100.