Get an Australian Spouse Visa: Requirements, Process, Benefits

The Australian Spouse Visa is a type of visa that permits married couples or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to reside in Australia. This visa is specifically intended to enable partners to stay together and establish a life in Australia.

Why is it important to have one?

Obtaining an Australian Spouse Visa holds significant importance for those who wish to reside with their partner in Australia. Firstly, it enables couples to live and work in Australia, allowing them to build a life together in a prosperous country. Additionally, it grants access to various benefits that Australian society provides, including healthcare, education, and social services. With this visa, you can avail yourself of the numerous opportunities and facilities available in Australia.

Moreover, having an Australian Spouse Visa also serves as a pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, Australian citizenship. This means that you and your partner can settle down permanently in Australia and enjoy the benefits of being an Australian citizen. As a permanent resident or citizen, you will have the right to work and study without any restrictions, access to Medicare, and social security benefits. You can also sponsor your family members for permanent residency, thus allowing them to join you in Australia.

Therefore, having an Australian Spouse Visa is highly advantageous, not only for the short-term benefits but also for the long-term prospects it offers for you and your partner.

Eligibility Requirements

Here are the eligibility requirements for an Australian spouse visa.

• Age Requirement: To be eligible for the Australian Spouse Visa, both you and your partner must be over 18 years of age. This age requirement ensures that you are legally capable of entering into a binding relationship.
• Relationship Requirement: One of the primary eligibility criteria for this visa is that you must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner. You must provide evidence to support this claim, including documentation of your living arrangements, financial arrangements, and social arrangements. This is to ensure that the relationship is not a sham and that you are genuinely committed to each other.
• Health Requirement: You and your partner must meet the health requirement for the visa, which involves undergoing a medical examination and a chest x-ray. This is to ensure that you do not have any medical conditions that could be a danger to public health or put a strain on the Australian healthcare system.
• Character Requirement: Both you and your partner must meet the character requirement for the visa, which involves providing police certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. This is to ensure that you have a clean criminal record and do not pose a threat to Australian society. It is a measure to protect the safety and security of Australian citizens and residents.

Application Process

Here is the application process to get a spouse visa.

• Gathering Required Documents: To apply for the Australian Spouse Visa, you need to provide a range of documents to support your application. These documents include evidence of your identity, relationship, health, and character. The specific documents required will depend on your circumstances. You may need to provide documents such as passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, and medical reports.
• Completing the Application Form: To apply for the Australian Spouse Visa, you need to complete an online application form and provide all the required information and documents. The application form is available on the Department of Home Affairs website. You will need to create an ImmiAccount to access the online application form.
• Paying the Application Fee: When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee. The fee for an Australian Spouse Visa is currently AUD 7,715. You can use the Visa Pricing Estimator tool on the Department of Home Affairs website to calculate the cost of your visa.
• Submitting the Application: Once you have completed the application form and gathered all the required documents, you can submit your application online. You will receive a notification when your application has been received by the Department of Home Affairs. The processing time for an Australian Spouse Visa can vary depending on a range of factors, including the completeness of your application and the volume of applications being processed at the time. You will be notified when a decision has been made on your application.

Processing Time and Cost

Processing time

The processing time for an Australian Spouse Visa can vary depending on factors such as the volume of applications being processed and the complexity of individual cases. According to the Department of Home Affairs website, the current processing time for the offshore partner visa is 19 to 24 months. However, processing times can be longer in some cases. 

Cost breakdown

The cost of an Australian Spouse Visa consists of several components, including:

1. Visa application fee: AUD 7,715 for the primary applicant (as of April 2023).
2. Additional applicant fee: AUD 3,860 for each additional applicant included in the application.
3. Biometrics fee: AUD 80 for each person who needs to provide biometrics (if applicable).
4. Medical examination fee: varies depending on the country and provider.
5. Police certificate fee: varies depending on the country.

Additional costs

In addition to the fees listed above, you may also incur additional costs related to obtaining the required documents for your application, such as translations or obtaining copies of marriage certificates. You may also need to pay for travel expenses to attend medical examinations or biometric appointments. It's important to factor in these additional costs when budgeting for your visa application.

Benefits of an Australian Spouse Visa

Living and working in Australia

With this visa, you and your spouse or partner can enjoy the freedom to live and work in Australia for up to two years. This means that you can experience the unique lifestyle and culture of Australia, including its beautiful landscapes, diverse cities, and friendly people. Additionally, if you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to apply for permanent residency after two years, providing you with a long-term pathway to build a life in Australia. This opens up opportunities for employment, education, and other benefits of Australian society.

Access to healthcare, education, and social services

• Healthcare: Spouse Visa, you and your spouse or partner will have access to Medicare, which provides free or low-cost medical services. This includes doctor's visits, hospital treatment, and prescription medicines. Having access to healthcare can give you peace of mind and protect you from unexpected medical expenses.
• Education: Australia has a world-class education system, and as a holder of an Australian Spouse Visa, you and your children may be eligible to enroll in primary, secondary, and tertiary education. This can provide opportunities for personal growth and career development, as well as access to a diverse range of educational experiences.
• Social services: Australia has a range of social services designed to support its citizens and residents. As a holder of an Australian Spouse Visa, you and your family may be eligible for benefits such as family tax benefits, child care subsidies, and parental leave. These benefits can help you manage the costs of raising a family and provide financial support during times of need.

Pathway to Australian Citizenship

The Australian Spouse Visa not only allows you to live and work in Australia for up to two years, but it also provides a pathway to permanent residency and Australian citizenship. After holding the visa for two years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. If your application is successful, you can remain in Australia indefinitely and enjoy many of the same rights and benefits as Australian citizens. After four years of permanent residency, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship, which would give you full citizenship rights, including the right to vote and work in certain government positions.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Hiring a migration agent: It is highly recommended to consider hiring a registered migration agent to assist with your Australian Spouse Visa application. A migration agent can provide expert advice and guidance on the application process, including eligibility requirements, necessary documents, and potential pitfalls. They can also help ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and meets all the requirements. 
• Being truthful and transparent: It is crucial to be truthful and transparent in your visa application. Providing false or misleading information can result in your application being refused or canceled, and may even lead to a ban from entering Australia. Therefore, make sure to provide all the required information and documents accurately and honestly. Additionally, be prepared to answer any questions that may arise during the application process.
• Being well-prepared: A well-prepared application increases your chances of success. This includes gathering all the required documents and ensuring that they are in the correct format, such as certified copies or translations. It is also important to ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements and provide sufficient evidence to support your relationship, including proof of genuine and ongoing commitment to each other. Be thorough and organized when completing the application form and double-check all details before submitting it.

Conclusion

If you and your partner are considering moving to Australia and making a life together, then obtaining an Australian Spouse Visa is an important step to consider. This visa provides a clear pathway to permanent residency and Australian citizenship, allowing you to fully enjoy the benefits of living and working in this beautiful country. To be eligible for this visa, you and your partner must meet certain requirements, such as being over 18 years old, in a genuine and ongoing relationship, and meeting health and character standards, among others. 

In addition, Courtly offers a reliable and stress-free option for getting married online to start the visa application process. By choosing Courtly, you can save time, money, and effort, while still enjoying the benefits of being legally married. Take the first step today and begin your journey towards a happy and prosperous life together in Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a spouse visa and a partner visa?

When it comes to visa options for partners, the Australian government offers two different types: the spouse visa and the partner visa. The spouse visa is for those who are married, while the partner visa is for those who are in a de facto relationship, which means a relationship with a person to whom you are not legally married but with whom you share a genuine and ongoing commitment. This includes same-sex partners. It is important to note that the de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months before the visa application. The criteria and requirements for each visa may vary, so it's essential to carefully review and choose the appropriate option for your situation.

2. Can I apply for an Australian Spouse Visa if I am already in Australia?

Yes, if you are in Australia and hold a valid substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C, you can apply for an Australian Spouse Visa. However, it's essential to meet all the eligibility requirements and provide all the necessary documents and evidence. It is important to note that if your current visa has a "No Further Stay" condition, you will not be eligible to apply for another visa while you are in Australia.

‍3. How long does it take to process an Australian Spouse Visa?

The processing time for an Australian Spouse Visa may vary depending on several factors, such as the volume of applications being processed, the complexity of your application, and whether you have provided all the required information and documents. The processing timeframes can range from several months to over a year. It's crucial to lodge a complete and accurate application and provide all the necessary documents to avoid any unnecessary delays.

‍4. Can I include my children in my application?

Yes, you can include your dependent children (under 18 years of age) in your Australian Spouse Visa application. You will need to provide evidence of their identity and relationship to you, such as birth certificates or adoption papers. It's important to note that if your children turn 18 during the visa application process, they may need to apply for their visa. 

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