Whether you are looking for a partner or are trying to obtain an Australian spouse visa, it is important to learn the differences between these types of visas. It is important find out more about how they affect your ability to work in Australia, and even what the difference is with Australian citizenship.
A partner visa is a type of visa that allows a spouse or partner of a person who is already in Australia to live and work in Australia. Like other types of visas, a partner visa has different requirements depending on the type of visa you are applying for. If you are applying for a family member visa, your partner must meet the definition of a family member as set out in the Australian Migration Act 1958. This means that your partner must be:
Your spouse or de facto spouse
A child of your spouse or de facto spouse
A parent of your child
A grandparent of your child.
A partner visa does not allow a person to bring their family members with them to Australia. However, a partner visa does allow the holder to sponsor their family members for visas.
An Australian spouse visa is a visa that allows an individual who is married to an Australian citizen or permanent resident to live and work in Australia. Unlike a partner visa, which is only for relationships that are considered to be genuine, an Australian spouse visa allows for any kind of relationship to be considered a valid basis for obtaining the visa.
This means that even if the relationship is not legally sanctioned by either party, the individual may still be able to obtain an Australian spouse visa if they are married to an Australian citizen or permanent resident.