You can apply for a partner visa if you are married to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, plan to marry one, or are in a defacto relationship with one. A defacto relationship is where 2 people who are not married live together as a couple. In Australia this includes same sex couples. For a defacto relationship to be recognised as a marriage relationship by the Immigration Department, it has to have been going for at least 12 months
For your application to be successful you have to show that you and your partner have a commitment to a shared life together to the exclusion of all others. If you are a married couple, or couple in a defacto marriage like relationship you and your partner must live together, or at least not live apart on a permanent basis.
Usually, a married or defacto couple will apply for both the provisional and permanent visa at the same time. Normally, the provisional visa will be granted for a period of 2 years. If the relationship is still on-going after 2 years, then the permanent visa will be granted.
If the relationship fails in the first 2 years, then the provisional visa holder will have to leave Australia under most circumstances. During the 2 years you are allowed to travel in and out of Australia, can work and live in Australia with your partner and you are eligible for subsidised doctor’s visits and medical treatment.
The evidence you provide must show that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship to the exclusion of all others. AK Migration & Visa Services’ MARA agents have an excellent record of success in bringing married and defacto couples together in Australia.
Partner visas can be applied for either onshore in Australia or offshore.