Partner Visa Demand Soars: Key Information for Applicants in 2024

Australia’s Partner Visa Program continues to be a major component of the Family Migration Program, with the Department of Home Affairs making significant strides in processing efficiency and addressing increased demand. Here’s a structured update on recent trends, processing efforts, and improvements in the Partner visa system.

1. Growth in Partner Visa Applications

The Partner Visa category remains central to Australia’s Family Migration Program. In the 2023–24 period, applications surged by 26%, a trend that has carried into the 2024–25 program year. By 30 September 2024, applications had increased by 35.1% compared to the same period last year.

2. First Stage Partner Visa Processing

Despite the rising demand, the Department has managed to keep on-hand application numbers stable. As of 30 September 2024, 14,424 first-stage Partner visas were granted, with 76,128 first-stage applications still awaiting finalization—an increase of only 1.4% from 75,060 applications as at 30 June 2024.

3. Specialized Team for Complex Cases

A specialized team, established in September 2021, focuses on processing complex Partner visa applications. This team initially handled applications affected by Ministerial Direction 80, which previously deprioritized applications from sponsors who arrived as unauthorized maritime arrivals. The Department continues to prioritize both complex and aged cases, achieving a substantial reduction in long-standing applications.

• As of 30 September 2024, only 4,015 (5.3%) of on-hand applications were aged 24 months or older, a significant decrease from 12,289 (21%) in June 2023 and 19,905 (30.8%) in June 2021.

4. Two-Stage Visa Process

The Partner visa process involves a two-stage arrangement, where applicants simultaneously apply for temporary and permanent visas. This model ensures only those in genuine, long-term relationships progress to permanent residency.

• Typically, applicants are eligible for the permanent visa assessment two years after submitting the initial application.

5. Second Stage Partner Visa Processing

In addition to first-stage processing, the Department is actively finalizing second-stage Partner visas. In the 2024–25 period up to 30 September 2024, 8,869 second-stage Partner visas were granted. The number of eligible second-stage applications has also declined, down to 21,880 from 47,638 as at 30 June 2023.

This structured approach underlines the Department’s commitment to improving the Partner Visa Program by maintaining efficient processing despite increased demand and addressing complex and aged applications.