4. Child Visa Australia – How to Bring Your Child to Live in Australia (Subclass 101/802)
Meta Description: Guide to Australia’s Child Visas (subclass 101 offshore & 802 onshore). Learn the requirements to sponsor your child for Australian PR, including eligibility criteria (age, dependency), documents needed (custody consent), processing times, and tips for a smooth child visa application.

Australia’s immigration program allows citizens and PRs to sponsor their dependent children for visas, to ensure families can be together. Child visas are generally given a high priority (no fixed caps like parent visas) and are processed on a demand-driven basis. There are two main child visa subclasses:

• Subclass 101 – Child (offshore): for children applying from outside Australia.

• Subclass 802 – Child (onshore): for children applying from within Australia.

These visas grant the child permanent residency in Australia.

Eligibility Criteria for a Child Visa:

• The child must be dependent on the sponsoring parent. If the child is under 18, this is presumed. If the child is 18 to 24, they must be a full-time student and financially dependent on the parent (and not married/in a de facto relationship). Over 25s are generally not eligible as “child” unless they have a disability that makes them dependent.

• The child must be the biological, adopted, or step-child of the Australian sponsor. For step-children, certain conditions apply (typically the step-child is under 18 and the Australian step-parent is no longer married to the biological parent only if the step-parent has legal responsibility for the child).

• If the child is adopted, the adoption must be legally recognized. If the adoption happened after the sponsor became an Australian PR/citizen, additional requirements apply (they might need to have gone through Australia’s intercountry adoption process or certain rules if adoption was overseas).

• The sponsoring parent must be an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen (usually the same as partner visas).

• The sponsoring parent (or their co-sponsor spouse) typically needs to meet character requirements as well (they’ll be checked especially for any child-related offences).

• Most importantly, if the child is under 18, permission from the other parent or legal custodian is required for the child’s migration. This often means the other parent signs a form (Form 1229) giving consent, or you provide a court order allowing the child to move. Australia won’t issue a child visa if it would violate custody agreements or parental rights. This is a big one – many child visa delays/refusals are due to missing consent from the other parent.

Application Process:
The application can be made in Australia (802) if the child is here on a valid visa that allows onshore application (not a “no further stay” condition). If the child is offshore, you apply for 101. The sponsoring parent fills out a sponsorship form. Key documents include:

• Proof of the child’s relationship to sponsor: e.g., birth certificate naming the parent(s). If not in English, include translations. If the sponsor is a step-parent, include the marriage certificate to the child’s biological parent and evidence the step-parent has legal custody (if applicable).

• Proof of age: birth certificate or passport.

• Consent from other parent: If one parent is not migrating, you must provide either Form 1229 signed by that parent + their photo ID, or a court order that gives the migrating parent sole custody or permission to move. If the other parent is deceased, provide a death certificate.

• Dependency evidence (if 18-24): e.g., enrollment letter from a college/university, evidence the child has been financially supported by the parent (money transfers, etc.). The child over 18 should ideally not have full-time employment or substantial income of their own, as that could indicate they’re not dependent.

• Health and character: Children will need health checks. Children 16 or older will need police clearances. Usually younger kids clear easily; older teens with substantial travel history might need a couple of police certificates.

• If the child is adopted: include adoption decree, evidence of the date and process of adoption. If it was an overseas adoption after you became an Aussie, check if you need an ‘Adoption visa (Subclass 102)’ instead – that subclass is specifically for children adopted overseas by Australians in certain circumstances. Generally, if the adoption was arranged privately, a Subclass 102 might be required. If it was arranged through Australian authorities, 101 can be used.

Processing Times:
Child visas are generally processed faster than partner or parent visas because children are a higher priority. At the time of writing, about 75% of child visa applications are processed within 10–12 months, and 90% within ~17–24 months (Australian Visa Application Processing Times). Many straightforward cases (especially babies or very young kids) get done in under a year. The Department recognizes it’s important for children to be with their parents, so they don’t deliberately queue these like parent visas – they process as quickly as their workload allows.

Tips for a Smooth Child Visa Application:

• Get consent early: The biggest hurdle is often obtaining the other parent’s written consent or a court order. Start this process well ahead of applying. If the other parent is cooperative, have them sign Form 1229 (with a witness) and provide a copy of their passport or ID. If they are not cooperative, you may need to go through family court to get an order permitting the child’s relocation. That can take time – the visa can’t be granted without it. Explain to the other parent that this is about the child’s welfare, not cutting off contact (you can come to arrangements for visitation, etc., to reassure them). If the other parent truly cannot be found to consent, you’ll have to provide evidence of attempts to contact and maybe seek a court order dispensing with consent.

• Be clear on custody: If you (the sponsoring parent) are divorced from the child’s other parent, include the custody agreement or court orders from your divorce showing you have custody. If you have sole custody, that document can serve as “permission” since the other parent legally doesn’t have a right to stop the migration.

• Include step-parent details if needed: If the sponsoring parent has a new partner (step-parent to the child), sometimes that partner’s details should be included in the application (they might co-sponsor). And if the step-parent also has legal adoption or guardianship of the child, mention it. Otherwise, the primary sponsor is the natural parent, with the step-parent just noted as spouse of sponsor.

• Health insurance (for 802 onshore): If the child is in Australia on, say, a tourist visa when applying, they won’t have Medicare until the bridging visa or grant. Consider getting basic health insurance for the child to cover the interim.

• Schooling: If the child is school-aged and in Australia on a temporary visa, note that some states charge fees for schooling. Once on the child visa (PR), those fees drop to domestic levels. During the bridging visa period, check your state’s policy. (This is a minor point, but good to be aware of for budgeting.)

• Orphan Relative vs Child visa: If the child’s parents are deceased or unable to care for them, and a relative in Australia is sponsoring, that falls under the Orphan Relative visa subclass 117/837, not the child visa. Child visas require a parent to sponsor. Orphan Relative visas have different requirements (the sponsor must be a sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc.). If you’re in that situation, ensure you apply for the correct category. (We discuss Orphan Relative briefly in Article 6.)

• After the visa: Once the child visa is granted, the child becomes a permanent resident. They can then get Medicare, go to public school as a domestic student, etc. If the child is under 16, their citizenship can often be fast-tracked once the parent becomes a citizen – for example, a child born overseas to an Aussie parent who just got PR can apply for citizenship by descent or conferral in some cases without waiting years (details depend on specific circumstances).

Case Example: Maria is an Australian PR who recently divorced and has primary custody of her 10-year-old son. She moves to Australia and wants her son (living with her ex-husband abroad) to join her. She gets her ex-husband to sign Form 1229 consenting to the move. She applies for a subclass 101 child visa for her son, including the consent form, divorce order showing custody, her son’s birth certificate listing both parents, and letters from the son’s school and doctor demonstrating she’s been involved in his life. The visa is granted in 12 months. Her son comes to Australia, reunites with her, and starts attending school. Two years later, Maria becomes eligible and applies for Australian citizenship, and once she’s a citizen, her son can apply for citizenship as well without having to wait the usual 4 years (because minors can be included on a parent’s application or apply with a responsible parent who is a citizen).

Conclusion:
Child visas are a vital avenue to ensure children aren’t left behind when a parent moves to Australia. The process is generally straightforward if paperwork (especially consent and custody documents) is in order. Always prioritize the best interest of the child – Australian immigration does. They want to ensure the child’s relocation is not in conflict with any parental rights. Once that’s cleared, the rest (age, dependency) is usually simpler to prove. By carefully preparing documents and following the guidelines, you can bring your son or daughter to Australia relatively smoothly, giving them the opportunities and security of life with their parent in Australia.

5. Prospective Marriage (Fiancé) Visa Australia – Subclass 300 Guide
Meta Description: How to bring your fiancé to Australia with a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300). Learn who can apply, requirements (engagement, in-person meeting, intent to marry), processing times, and how to transition to a partner visa after marriage.

Are you engaged to an Australian citizen or PR and planning to marry? The Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300), often called the fiancé(e) visa, allows an overseas fiancé to come to Australia before marrying, giving you up to 9 months in Australia to tie the knot. It’s a temporary visa that leads to a partner visa after you marry. Here’s what you need to know:

What is the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)?
This visa is for people outside Australia who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen. It grants a 9-month temporary visa to travel to Australia, during which time you must marry your Australian partner. Once the marriage takes place, you then apply for an onshore partner visa (820/801). The subclass 300 essentially facilitates the marriage by allowing the fiancé into Australia for that purpose.

Key points:

• You must be outside Australia to apply for it, and outside Australia when it’s granted.

• It’s multiple-entry and allows work and study during its validity (it’s effectively like a long temporary partner visa but with the condition to marry).

• It cannot be extended; if you don’t marry within 9 months, you cannot get another Prospective Marriage visa (barring exceptional COVID-era measures which have now ceased).

• The current visa application charge is the same as partner visa initial fee (around $9,000). And later, you’ll pay a smaller fee (~$1,300) when applying for the partner visa after marriage.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Genuinely engaged: You must provide evidence that you intend to marry your Australian partner within the visa’s validity. This can be a letter from a marriage celebrant in Australia stating you have discussed or booked a wedding, or other plans (receipts for wedding venue, invitations draft, etc.). You do not need a fixed wedding date when applying, but you need to demonstrate a clear intention to marry (e.g., “We plan to marry in Melbourne in June 2026, and have a celebrant’s letter confirming availability”). The Department might ask for Form 888s or personal statements confirming both parties are committed to marriage.

• Have met in person: You and your fiancé must have met face-to-face since turning 18 (Family Migration Visas - McKkr’s). Meeting online only is not sufficient; a physical meeting is mandatory (with extremely limited exceptions in cultural circumstances, but those are rare).

• Age: Both must be 18 or older.

• Marital status: Both must be free to marry (any previous marriages are ended legally). Provide divorce decrees if either was married before.

• Genuineness of relationship: Similar to partner visas, you need to show your relationship is genuine. But since you’re not married or necessarily living together yet, emphasis is on evidence of ongoing communication, visits, and the progression of your relationship. Show photographs of times spent together, travel history of visits, chat logs, etc. Basically prove that this is a real relationship leading to marriage, not a marriage of convenience for a visa.

• The Australian sponsor must meet usual sponsor requirements (18+, etc.). If they have sponsored previously, those sponsorship bar rules apply here too. And sponsors provide police checks and character info as in partner cases.

• Health and character requirements for the applicant are the same as other partner category visas.

Application Process:
You apply online (ImmiAccount) from overseas. Provide all the relationship evidence, engagement/wedding plans evidence, and usual documents (IDs, etc.). The sponsor completes a sponsorship form as well. This visa can take around 12 months (sometimes more) to be granted. During COVID, some took 2+ years due to travel restrictions, but now processing is back on track.

After Lodgement – Getting Married and Partner Visa Stage:
Once granted, you have 9 months (some visas granted during COVID were given 15 months due to travel difficulties, but new ones are 9 months) to marry your partner. After you arrive in Australia, focus on your wedding preparations. You must marry before the visa expires. It doesn’t have to be a big ceremony; a legal marriage (with certificate issued) is what Immigration needs to see. As soon as married, you then apply for the onshore partner visa (subclass 820/801) before the Prospective Marriage visa expires. You will pay a partner visa fee, though it’s a discounted fee (~15-20% of full fee) for PMV holders.

The partner visa application will then proceed like any partner case (with bridging visas, etc.). The big difference is because you are now married, and you already proved a lot for the PMV, often the partner visa processing might be a bit smoother (though still many months).

During the validity of the PMV (before marriage): you can:

• Work without restriction.

• Enroll in Medicare (once you lodge the partner visa after marriage, you get full access, but some PMV holders can get Medicare upon arrival due to reciprocal healthcare arrangements if applicable).

• Travel in and out of Australia.

• Essentially live as a temporary resident preparing for your wedding.

If your wedding is approaching and your Prospective Marriage visa is close to expiry (for example, a slight delay but you will marry in month 10), you should inform Home Affairs – they may not extend the visa (they generally don’t, except exceptional reasons) so ideally, try to marry within the 9 months. If an unforeseeable event completely prevents marriage (serious illness, etc.), the Department might consider an extension on a case-by-case basis, but that’s not guaranteed.

Common Questions:

• “We’re engaged but haven’t set a wedding date. Can we still apply?” Yes, as long as you intend to marry within 9 months of visa grant. You can say “we plan to marry roughly in X month” and provide evidence you’ve started arranging it (even tentative venue bookings or emails with a celebrant). The Department doesn’t force you to have a locked-in date at application, but you should by the time it’s granted. They might ask for updated intent-to-marry evidence before grant if the original plan date has passed.

• “Do I have to marry in Australia?” The requirement is you must marry somewhere within the visa validity. It doesn’t strictly have to be in Australia, but practically that’s usually the case. If you were to marry overseas during that period, you’d still have to return and lodge the partner visa onshore. Most use the opportunity to marry in Australia so both can be present and the logistics are easier.

• “Can I marry my partner straight away on a tourist visa instead?” Yes, some couples do that – they marry outside or on a tourist visa then apply directly for a partner visa, skipping the PMV. If you’re ready to marry and can get a visa to visit, that route saves money. The PMV is intended for when you need that interim step (e.g., you want family in Australia present for the wedding, or your partner can’t easily travel overseas to marry, etc.). The trade-off: PMV costs more (two visas) but gives you time in Australia to plan the wedding together.

• “We haven’t met in person due to COVID/border closures, can that be waived?” The requirement to have met in person is in law. Historically, during COVID some leniency was given if couples had wedding plans disrupted, but they eventually had to meet. With borders open, you are expected to meet. If absolutely impossible (rare scenarios), you might consider marrying overseas (via proxy or something) and applying as a spouse instead, but that has its own issues (proxy marriages are not recognized by Australia unless both parties were present in some form).

Processing Times & Considerations:
Processing is similar to partner visas (around 12–18 months in many cases). During that time, maintain your relationship and gather evidence (continued communication, etc.), because by the time you apply for the partner visa, you’ll want to show your relationship remained strong. Many PMV applicants front-load a lot of proof of their relationship, which then helps in the partner visa stage. Keep in mind, you’ll be doing two applications – so save copies of everything you submitted for the PMV, as you can reuse some in the partner visa (like chat logs or photos can be referenced again to recount your story, plus new evidence of living together after arriving, etc.).

The cost factor: PMV ($9k) + subsequent partner ($1.5k) totals more than direct partner ($9k). But for some couples, being together sooner is worth it. Also, sometimes the PMV can be granted a bit quicker than a partner visa because it’s temporary (though lately they’ve been similar). Once on PMV, you have peace of mind you can be together to plan the wedding without separation.

Example: John (Australian) and Maria (overseas) are engaged but not yet married. Maria can’t get a long-term visa to stay in Australia easily. They apply for a Prospective Marriage visa for Maria. They provide evidence of their 2-year relationship: photos of John visiting Maria, WhatsApp chat logs, an email from a wedding celebrant in Sydney confirming they’ve booked a tentative date, and statements from friends. 15 months later, Maria’s PMV is granted. She travels to Australia, they marry 3 months after her arrival. Right after the wedding, they lodge the onshore partner visa. Maria gets a Bridging Visa A to stay until it’s processed. About a year later, she’s granted the 820 temporary partner visa, and two years after initial application, the 801 PR is granted. Had they waited to marry and apply directly for partner, they might’ve spent more time apart; the PMV allowed them to start their life together sooner.

Conclusion:
The Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) visa is a great option for couples who are ready to commit to marriage and want to close the distance sooner rather than later. It does come with extra steps and cost, but it effectively “unlocks” the partner visa pathway a bit earlier by getting the fiancé into Australia for the wedding. If you choose this route, ensure you meet the requirements (especially having met in person and having genuine intent to marry) and be prepared to follow through with a partner visa application after the wedding. With good planning, the PMV can be the start of a clear roadmap: engagement, reunion in Australia, marriage, and then the journey to permanent residency together.

6. Family Migration to Australia – Overview of Partner, Parent, Child & Other Family Visas
Meta Description: An overview of Australia’s family migration program. Learn about partner visas for spouses/fiancés, parent visas, child visas, and other family visas (remaining relative, carer, etc.), including current policies, processing times, and how Australia prioritizes reuniting families.

Australia’s migration program has a dedicated Family Stream to allow Australians to reunite with close family members. This includes partner visas, parent visas, child visas, and a few special categories for other relatives. Family migration is about 30% of Australia’s total permanent visas each year. Below is an overview of each major family visa category and how they fit into the broader system:

Partner Visas – Uniting spouses and partners:
Partner visas (subclass 820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) are the largest component of the family stream – around 40,500 partner visas are planned for 2024-25 ([

        Migration Program planning levels

     

](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels#:~:text=This%20stream%20is%20predominantly%20made,for%202024%E2%80%9325%20for%20planning%20purposes)). These allow Australian citizens and PRs to sponsor their spouse or de facto partner (including same-sex) for PR. We covered these in detail in Articles 1 and 2. They are demand-driven (not capped), meaning everyone who qualifies will eventually get a visa, though there is a queue due to high demand. Processing takes 1-2 years on average. Partner visas are critical for social cohesion – they allow Australians to build families with whomever they love, regardless of nationality. The government gives partner visas relatively high priority (second only to skilled visas in overall planning) and recognizes their economic and social contributions (a partner often is of working age and contributes to the workforce, and their presence improves the sponsor’s wellbeing, etc.). The partner visa program has special protections – like if a relationship breaks down due to domestic violence, the applicant can still get PR (What are the Changes to the Australian Partner Visa? | LegalVision). Partner visas are by far the fastest and most straightforward way to bring a foreign partner to Australia for most people, albeit with a hefty fee and wait.

Fiancé Visas (Prospective Marriage) – Engaged couples:
Technically part of the partner migration program, the subclass 300 visa (covered in Article 5) allows an intended spouse to come to Australia to marry. It’s a smaller subset (in 2022-23, only a few thousand were granted). It’s demand-driven as well; numbers depend on how many apply. With COVID behind us, fiancé visa usage is returning to normal as couples can meet and plan weddings again. The government includes these in partner visa figures when accounting the program. They exist due to cultural and practical reasons – some couples want the wedding in Australia or need that interim step. They emphasize the family program’s aim of keeping couples united, even before formal marriage.

Parent Visas – Reuniting across generations:
Parent visas (subclasses 103/804 and 143/864, see Article 3) allow Australians to bring their parents, but these are heavily capped (8,500 per year currently). There’s huge demand – over 140,000 in backlog – so most parents face long waits or high fees (for contributory visas). The family program tries to balance compassion (letting families live together) with cost concerns (older migrants may use healthcare and pensions). As such, parent visas are the most restricted family category. The majority of family stream visas now are partners, reflecting a policy shift – in the 1980s/90s, parents had larger shares, but due to aging population issues, the government has favored skilled and partner visas. Still, around 4-5% of the total migration program are parent visas. Discussions about reforming parent visas are ongoing, as current wait times of decades are seen as unsustainable and cruel to families. But any changes must consider budget impacts. For now, the contributory parent route is the main viable pathway for bringing parents.

Child Visas – Keeping children with parents:
Child visas (101/802, Article 4) are a vital part of family migration but they’re uncapped (if a child is eligible, they’ll get a visa – there’s no quota limit). Only a few thousand are granted per year because they’re naturally limited by how many such cases exist (most Australian kids are just citizens by birth or descent). These visas have fairly fast processing (often under 1-2 years) and are given priority in resources because no one wants a young child separated from their parent longer than necessary. Child visas include adopted children and orphan relatives as well. The numbers each year might be around 3,000 or so grants. They’re a small but important part of the program. Without them, children of migrants could be left in limbo. The policy is very much in favor of bringing children – evidenced by things like allowing newborns (born after a visa application) to be added to a parent’s application without extra charge, etc. It aligns with Australia’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring children aren’t disadvantaged by migration processes.

Other Family Visas – Special circumstances:
There are a few other visas under family stream:

• Remaining Relative visa (115 offshore, 835 onshore): For someone who has no close family except those in Australia. For example, an unmarried person whose only living family are a sibling in Australia. This visa is capped at a very small number (like 250 per year), with a queue 20+ years. It exists to allow those who have effectively no family support elsewhere to join their last family members here.

• Carer visa (116 offshore, 836 onshore): For someone who needs to move to Australia to care for a relative (or relative’s family member) with a long-term medical condition. Also very limited in number (few hundred a year) and long waits. To qualify, the Australian relative must demonstrate they genuinely need care and can’t reasonably get it otherwise. This caters to situations where, say, an elderly Australian has no immediate family except a relative abroad willing to come care for them.

• Aged Dependent Relative (114/838): For an elderly (age-pension-age) single relative who has been financially dependent on an Australian relative for basic needs. Example: an elderly aunt overseas who a citizen here has been sending money to, with no spouse or other support. Again small numbers and long wait.

These “Other Family” visas recognize extended family ties but are tightly controlled to prevent large influxes. Together they account for only a few hundred visas per year. They also require Assurances of Support and have strict criteria. Many who apply face 10-30 year waits similarly to non-contrib parent visas.

Migration Program Planning Levels:
For 2023-24, the family stream was set at 52,500 places (out of 190k total). For 2024-25 it’s around 50-52k again. Of those:

• Partner visas take the lion’s share (about 77% of family stream planned in 2023-24), and since they’re demand-driven, that number could adjust if more apply.

• Parent visas were 8,500 (16% of family stream).

• Child visas ~3,000 (the rest).

• Other family ~500 combined.

These levels highlight that partner visas are the priority in family migration, reflecting policy to encourage young, economically active migrants and immediate family reunion (spouses/children), whereas parents and others are more restricted due to economic considerations.

Prioritization in Processing:
By Ministerial Direction, processing priority generally goes: child visas highest, then partner visas (and prospective marriage), then parent visas (contributory usually before non-contrib), and other family last. This is why partner and child move faster than parent.

Economic and Social Impact:
Family migration, while often evaluated in budget terms (some argue parents are a cost), has huge social benefits:

• It supports the mental health and stability of Australian residents (knowing loved ones can join them).

• Partners often work and pay taxes, and even parents may provide childcare enabling their children (the sponsors) to work more.

• It contributes to Australia’s multicultural society, bringing in people from diverse backgrounds who enrich communities.

• Importantly, it shows Australia’s commitment to human values – not just bringing in workers, but keeping families together, which aligns with international human rights principles about the family unit.

Challenges:
The main challenges in family migration policy are managing backlog vs fairness. Many argue the parent visa backlog is cruel and needs addressing; proposals include a lottery system or increasing places significantly. But budgetary constraints and public opinion about costs to taxpayers play a role. In contrast, partner visas occasionally face fraud concerns (e.g., marriages of convenience), so the Department invests in checks like interviews (Article 16) and sponsor vetting to maintain integrity. The balance is constantly being calibrated.

Summary:
Australia’s family stream is a lifeline for thousands of families each year – enabling spouses to live together, children to be with parents, and sometimes reuniting extended family in special cases. Partners and children have relatively clear paths, while parents and others have more hurdles. It underscores a philosophy: while skilled migration drives economic goals, family migration underscores Australia’s humanitarian and social values, ensuring that migration isn’t just about economic units, but about humans and their loved ones. The family stream thus complements the skilled stream to create a holistic immigration program that builds not just the economy, but communities.

7. Partner Visa Processing Times in 2025 – How Long Does It Take?
Meta Description: Waiting for an Australian partner visa? Find out the 2025 processing times for partner visas (820/801 and 309/100), factors affecting your wait (backlogs, case specifics), recent improvements, and tips to avoid unnecessary delays while your application is processed.

Applying for a partner visa means gearing up for a bit of a wait. While you have the benefit of a Bridging Visa (if onshore) or the ability to visit on a tourist visa (if offshore) to be with your partner during processing, the anticipation can be tough. Understanding current processing times and what influences them can help set expectations and allow you to plan.

Typical Processing Times (2025):
As of early 2025, partner visa processing times are roughly:

• 14 months for 50% of applications (median).

• 18–21 months for 75% of applications (Australian Visa Application Processing Times).

• Up to 24–30 months for 90% of applications (some complex cases). (Australian Visa Application Processing Times)

These are overall statistics combining onshore (820) and offshore (309). Onshore first-stage (820) visas are often processed around 12–18 months for many cases; offshore 309s similarly around 12–18 months though sometimes a bit longer if certain overseas offices are busier.

Keep in mind, these figures can fluctuate. The Department updates estimates monthly. They reflect current workload and how quickly older backlog cases are being cleared. For example, in late 2022, processing times temporarily looked longer because the Department cleared many 2+ year-old cases (which skewed the “90th percentile” to a high number) (Australian Visa Application Processing Times). But that clearance was actually a good thing, paving way for newer cases to be processed faster.

Factors Affecting Processing:

• Application completeness: The single biggest thing within your control. If you lodged a decision-ready application with all documents, police checks, medicals, and solid evidence, your case might progress without further requests. If you left out documents, the case officer will have to send a Request for Information (RFI), which can add weeks or months (depending on how fast you respond and how that fits their queue). Many couples who meticulously prepare see quicker grants, sometimes in under a year. E.g., a low-risk couple with no complications who front-loaded everything might get a direct grant at month 10.

• Backlog of older cases: The Department has been working through older cases (especially from the pandemic period). If you applied in 2020 or 2021 and are still waiting, you were in a backlog that the Department is clearing. Newer applications might leapfrog ahead once that backlog is done. By 2025, a lot of that has been addressed.

• Caseload by region: Offshore applications are processed in different global offices. Some offices (countries) historically were slower due to volume or security checks. For instance, partner visas from high-risk countries can take longer due to more rigorous background checking. If an offshore office is under-resourced or handling many other visa types, partner visa cases might move slower. The Department sometimes redistributes work between offices to balance this.

• Security and character checks: If either applicant or sponsor has lived in multiple countries or has a common name that triggers more checks, processing can take longer. E.g., certain nationalities might have external security assessments that add months. This is beyond your control, except to ensure you submitted all police clearances required (to avoid additional requests).

• Health clearance: If the applicant has a health condition needing further tests or specialist reports, that can delay a decision.

• Sponsor approval process: The new requirement for sponsor pre-approval (enacted June 2023) means the sponsor’s character checks must be done before visa grant. If a sponsor delays submitting their police checks, it can hold up the visa. So sponsors should fill in their form and provide police certificates promptly to avoid being a bottleneck.

• Appeals and complications: If your case had an initial refusal and you won on appeal, the eventual processing to grant can be extended. But for a straightforward application that isn’t appealed, you just go through the one processing queue.

The government’s goal has been to reduce partner visa processing times by hiring more staff and removing the cap. We saw improvement from 2021 to 2023 (where some median times dropped from 18 to 12 months). By 2025, with demand steady and many backlog cases resolved, the hope is median times stay around 12 months or even less. However, this is subject to how many new applications come in and departmental capacity.

Recent Improvements:
In 2022-23, the Department cleared a large number of older partner visa cases (some dating 2-3 years). As they did that, published times for 90% of cases looked high (because they finally decided very old cases). But that actually is positive – it means newer cases won’t wait behind those any longer. Many applicants in 2023 reported on forums that they got their 309 or 820 in around 8–12 months, which is quite fast historically. However, some others still waited 20+ months, often due to RFIs or complex circumstances. The current trend seems to be: if everything is straightforward and well-prepared, you might get a pleasantly quicker grant; if not, you’ll fall into the slower end.

The 2-Year Permanent Stage Wait:
Remember, after the temporary visa is granted, you typically wait about 2 years from initial application to be eligible for the permanent 801/100. That stage 2 isn’t so much about processing backlog, it’s a policy wait to reassess genuineness. If by the time you hit 2 years your relationship is ongoing, the permanent usually comes soon after (1-6 months). So overall, from initial application to PR, expect around 3-4 years (e.g., apply Jan 2025, get temporary around Mar 2026, get PR by mid-2027). However, if you were already in a long relationship or have kids, sometimes they grant PR faster.

Tips to Avoid Delays:

• Front-load documents: Submit police checks for both applicant and sponsor with the application (or soon after, definitely before the case officer has to ask). Do the medical exam early (unless you expect a very long processing and worry it’ll expire – but you can always redo medicals if needed). Including Form 888 declarations, etc. initially means the officer doesn’t need to request them. A complete application can even be approved without any RFIs.

• Respond quickly to RFIs: If you do get a request, reply well before the deadline. Many cases get delayed because people take too long to respond. If you respond in a day or two, your file goes back in the queue faster.

• Keep contact info updated: Make sure the Department can reach you or your agent. Missed communications can cause delays or even refusals if they think you abandoned the application. Check your email spam folder periodically.

• Use an Agent if unsure: As noted earlier, an experienced migration agent can ensure your case is presented clearly (minimizing back-and-forth with the Department). This can save months.

• Be patient but follow up if excessive: If your application has far exceeded the published 90th percentile and you’ve heard nothing, a polite follow-up via the Home Affairs office handling it or through the Global Feedback Unit can sometimes shed light. But use this sparingly; an inquiry after 6 months is not warranted if median is 14 months – but an inquiry after 24 months with no word might be.

• Don’t panic over other people’s timelines: It’s common to see online one person got a visa in 5 months while another waited 18. Each case is different (country, officer, evidence, etc.). Focus on making yours solid, then try to be patient. If you’ve done everything right, it’s likely just a matter of time.

Bridging Visa Life (Onshore): One silver lining if applying onshore is that the bridging period can be used productively (as discussed in Article 15). You can work, study, and essentially live normally in Australia while waiting. That softens the blow of a long processing time – you’re together and can progress your lives (career, saving for a house, etc.) even before PR.

Outcomes by Year: The Department often finalizes many partner visas toward the end of the program year (April-June) to meet planning numbers. So if you applied early in a fiscal year, you might end up being granted later in the next year. There’s some anecdotal evidence that cases often get finalized in batches. This means if you feel like nothing’s happening for a long time, it could suddenly progress quickly when it’s picked up. A user on a forum noted their onshore 820 was stagnant for 15 months then approved within 2 weeks of submitting an extra document at the request of the officer – sometimes one trigger (like an expiring police check that you renew) can prompt review.

Future Outlook: With the partner program uncapped and resources allocated, the backlog should not blow out like it did pre-2020 when some waited 2+ years routinely. The goal stated by Home Affairs is to reduce partner visa processing times. If demand doesn’t spike dramatically, we might see median times stay around 12 months or even drop slightly. However, external events (e.g., a surge in applications due to global situations) could always change things. It’s wise to keep an eye on the monthly updated times on the Home Affairs website.

Conclusion:
In 2025, most partner visa applicants can expect to wait around one to one-and-a-half years for the temporary visa. Being prepared and responsive can shave off some time; unforeseen factors might add some. While it requires patience, remember that once you’ve applied, you have a clear path – temporary residency on the way, then permanent residency. Use the waiting period to strengthen your relationship and settle preparatory aspects of life (like housing, work) so that by the time the visa arrives, you’re ready to fully embrace life as a partnered Aussie household. The wait can feel long, but having realistic expectations and focusing on what you can control (a complete application) will make it more manageable – and eventually, you’ll get that golden email and it will all be worth it.