Steps Needed to Move To Australia With Your Filipino Partner
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident wanting to bring your Filipino partner to Australia — or a Filipino national planning to join your Australian spouse — this guide walks you through exactly what you need to do, which visa applies to your situation, and what documents to prepare.
At Stojanovic & Associates, we help Australian-Filipino couples navigate the partner visa process every year. We know the specific document requirements, the common challenges Filipino applicants face, and how to build an application that gives your partner the best possible chance of being granted a visa.
Want to know which visa applies to your situation? Book a consultation with Danijela and we’ll give you a clear answer and a personalised plan.
Book a ConsultationWhich Visa Does Your Filipino Partner Need?
The right visa depends on where your Filipino partner is located and the current status of your relationship. There are three main pathways for Australian-Filipino couples.
Subclass 309 / 100 — Offshore Partner Visa (Most Common)
If your Filipino partner is in the Philippines (or outside Australia) when you apply, this is the standard pathway. The Subclass 309 is a temporary visa granted first — your partner can then travel to Australia and live and work here while the application continues. The permanent Subclass 100 visa is assessed approximately two years after the initial application date.
Subclass 820 / 801 — Onshore Partner Visa
If your Filipino partner is already in Australia on a valid visa — such as a tourist visa or student visa — they can apply for the Subclass 820 (temporary) while remaining in Australia. They can stay and work in Australia while the application is processed, then transition to the permanent Subclass 801 after approximately two years.
Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage Visa
If you are engaged but not yet married, your Filipino partner can apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa to travel to Australia to get married. After the wedding, they apply for the partner visa from within Australia. This pathway requires you to marry within nine months of the visa being granted.
Step by Step — How the Process Works
Book a Consultation
Speak with Danijela about your specific situation — your relationship status, where your partner is located, and any previous visa history. This determines which visa pathway applies and what to prepare.
Gather Your Documents
Both the sponsor (the Australian partner) and the applicant (the Filipino partner) need to provide documents. Your migration agent will give you a personalised checklist. Filipino-specific documents — PSA certificates, NBI clearance, health examination — take time to obtain. Start early.
Prepare Your Relationship Evidence
The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. This covers four categories: financial, social, household, and commitment. Your migration agent will guide you on what to include and how to present it effectively.
Lodge the Application
Your migration agent prepares and lodges the application on your behalf — including the sponsorship approval for the Australian partner. Once lodged, your Filipino partner receives a bridging visa (if onshore) or can travel to Australia while waiting (in some offshore cases, subject to eligibility).
Health Examination
After lodgement, the Department will request a health examination. For Filipino applicants in the Philippines, this is conducted at an approved panel physician in Manila. Tuberculosis (TB) testing is a standard requirement for Filipino nationals.
Temporary Visa Granted
Once the temporary visa (309 or 820) is granted, your Filipino partner can live and work in Australia. They will have full work rights and access to Medicare.
Permanent Visa Assessment
Approximately two years after the initial application, the Department assesses the permanent stage (100 or 801). You will need to demonstrate that your relationship is still genuine and ongoing. Your migration agent will guide you through this stage when the time comes.
Documents Your Filipino Partner Will Need
Filipino partner visa applications have specific document requirements that differ from other nationalities. Preparing these early is essential — some take several weeks to obtain.
Identity and Civil Status Documents
- Valid Philippine passport
- PSA-issued birth certificate (Philippine Statistics Authority — formerly NSO)
- PSA-issued marriage certificate — if married
- PSA-issued Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) — if applying as de facto
- Divorce certificate or death certificate of former spouse — if previously married
Police Clearance
- NBI Clearance (National Bureau of Investigation) — the standard police clearance for Filipino applicants
- If your partner has lived outside the Philippines for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, police clearances from those countries are also required
Health Examination
- Conducted at a Department of Home Affairs approved panel physician in Manila
- Tuberculosis (TB) testing is a standard requirement for Filipino applicants
- Your migration agent will arrange the health referral after lodgement
Relationship Evidence
- Financial: joint accounts, shared bills, evidence of financially supporting each other
- Social: photos together over time, statutory declarations from friends and family who know you as a couple
- Household: shared address, joint lease, evidence of living together
- Commitment: communication records (Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp), knowledge of each other’s families and daily lives, future plans together
Not sure which documents apply to your situation? Book a consultation and we’ll give you a complete, personalised checklist so you know exactly what to prepare before you lodge.
Book a Consultation Learn About Partner Visas →How Long Does It Take to Bring Your Filipino Partner to Australia?
| Visa | Subclass | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore Partner Visa — Temporary | 309 | 12–24 months |
| Offshore Partner Visa — Permanent | 100 | Assessed 2 years after initial application |
| Onshore Partner Visa — Temporary | 820 | 12–24 months |
| Onshore Partner Visa — Permanent | 801 | Assessed 2 years after initial application |
| Prospective Marriage Visa | 300 | 12–18 months |
Common Challenges for Australian-Filipino Couples
Having helped many Australian-Filipino couples through the partner visa process, we know the challenges that come up most often — and how to handle them.
Proving a Genuine Long-Distance Relationship
Most Australian-Filipino couples have spent significant time apart. The Department looks carefully at whether your relationship is genuine and ongoing. Strong communication evidence (Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp logs), combined with evidence of visits and a well-written relationship statement, is essential. We help you build this file from scratch.
PSA Document Delays
PSA-issued certificates — birth certificates, marriage certificates, CENOMAR — can take time to obtain, especially during peak periods. Apply for these as early as possible. Do not wait until the rest of your documents are ready.
NBI Clearance Renewal
NBI clearances have a limited validity period. If your application takes longer than expected, the clearance may expire and need to be renewed before the visa is granted. We monitor these timelines for our clients so nothing lapses.
TB Testing Requirement
Tuberculosis testing is a standard requirement for Filipino visa applicants. If the result requires further assessment, this can add time to the process. It is not a reason for refusal in most cases — but it does need to be managed correctly.
Tourist Visa Applications While the Partner Visa is Pending
If your Filipino partner’s offshore application is pending and they wish to visit Australia in the meantime, visitor visa applications in this situation are assessed more strictly. Do not apply for a visitor visa without seeking advice first — it can complicate the partner visa application if not handled correctly.
Why Australian-Filipino Couples Choose Stojanovic & Associates
- ✔ Registered Migration Agent — MARN 0958278
- ✔ 183 five-star Google reviews — one of the highest-rated migration agencies in Australia
- ✔ Extensive experience with Australian-Filipino couples — offshore, onshore, and prospective marriage applications
- ✔ We understand the specific document requirements for Filipino applicants — PSA certificates, NBI clearance, TB testing
- ✔ You work directly with Danijela — not a case manager you’ve never met
- ✔ Over 15 years helping couples reunite in Australia
- ✔ Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide — remote consultations available Australia-wide and internationally
Ready to start the process of bringing your Filipino partner to Australia? Book a consultation with Danijela today — we’ll confirm which visa applies to your situation and give you a clear plan from start to finish.
Book a Consultation Filipino Partner Visa Page →Frequently Asked Questions — Filipino Partner Visa Australia
Can my Filipino partner apply for a partner visa if they are in Australia on a tourist visa?
In most cases, yes — if your Filipino partner is in Australia on a valid visa (including a tourist visa), they can apply onshore for the Subclass 820 partner visa. There are some exceptions depending on visa conditions. Seek advice specific to your situation before lodging.
Do we need to be married for my Filipino partner to get a partner visa?
No. Both married couples and de facto couples are eligible. For a de facto application, you need to demonstrate that you have been in a genuine, ongoing de facto relationship for at least 12 months. If you are engaged, the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is the starting pathway.
What is a PSA certificate and why does my Filipino partner need one?
PSA stands for the Philippine Statistics Authority — the government body that issues official civil registry documents in the Philippines. For partner visa applications, your Filipino partner will need PSA-issued copies of their birth certificate and marriage certificate (if married). These are the only versions accepted by the Department of Home Affairs — unofficial or local municipality copies are not sufficient.
How long does a Filipino partner visa take to process?
The offshore temporary visa (Subclass 309) and onshore temporary visa (Subclass 820) typically take 12 to 24 months to process. The permanent stage (Subclass 100 or 801) is assessed approximately two years after the initial application date. Processing times change regularly — your migration agent will keep you updated.
Can my Filipino partner work in Australia while the partner visa is being processed?
Yes. If your Filipino partner has applied for the onshore Subclass 820, they are generally granted a bridging visa that allows them to live and work in Australia throughout the processing period. Offshore applicants (309) must remain outside Australia until the temporary visa is granted, at which point they can travel to Australia and work immediately.
My Filipino partner has previously had a visa refused. Can they still apply?
A previous visa refusal does not automatically disqualify your partner from applying for a partner visa — but it must be disclosed and handled carefully. The circumstances of the refusal matter greatly. Seek advice from a registered migration agent before lodging a new application.
Can we include children in the partner visa application?
Yes. Dependent children can be included in a partner visa application as secondary applicants. This includes dependent children from either partner. Additional documents — including PSA birth certificates for Filipino children — will be required. We will advise you on the specific requirements at your consultation.