If your husband, wife, or partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you can reunite with them using the Australia spouse visa pathway. Formally known as the Partner Visa Subclass 309, this is the primary offshore route that Bangladeshi citizens take to move to Australia when applying from outside the country.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the rules, document checklists, timelines, and the official government fees updated for July 2026.
What Is the Australia Spouse Visa Subclass 309?
The Subclass 309 visa is a provisional (temporary) partner visa. It allows you to enter and live in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs processes your permanent residency application (Subclass 100).
The process uses a combined two-stage application ecosystem:
- Stage 1: Subclass 309 (Provisional): You apply while residing in Bangladesh. Once approved, you gain full travel, work, and study rights in Australia.
- Stage 2: Subclass 100 (Migrant): Approximately 2 years after your initial application, the government reviews your relationship again. If it remains genuine and continuing, you are granted permanent residency.
Important Note: You apply for both the 309 and 100 visas simultaneously as a single application, paying only one base government fee up front.
Who is Eligible to Sponsor a Spouse from Bangladesh?
To qualify for an Australia spouse visa, your partner in Australia must act as your sponsor. They must be:
- An Australian citizen.
- An Australian permanent resident (PR holder).
- An eligible New Zealand citizen living in Australia.
Relationship Requirements
You must prove that you are either legally married or in a de facto relationship. For a de facto visa application, you generally need to show that you have lived together with your partner for at least 12 months before applying, though exemptions apply if the relationship is officially registered.
The Step-by-Step Australia Spouse Visa Application Process
Applying for an offshore partner visa requires strict attention to order and detail.
Step 1: Determine Relationship Stream
Identify whether you qualify under the married spouse or de facto partner track. Ensure your marriage certificate is fully registered with the Bangladesh government and translated if necessary.
Step 2: Compile the Core Relationship Evidence
Gather your “four pillars” of relationship proof:
- Financial (joint accounts/money transfers),
- Household (shared living arrangements),
- Social (photos, joint invitations), and
- Commitment (wills, statutory declarations, long-term plans).
Step 3: Lodge the Sponsor Application
Your Australian partner must log into ImmiAccount, complete the sponsorship forms, and submit their background documents using the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) generated by your application.
Step 4: Lodge the Applicant Visa File
Submit the formal visa application via ImmiAccount. Attach scanned copies of your Bangladeshi passport, NID, police clearances, and the indexed relationship evidence.
Step 5: Complete Biometrics & Medical Exams.
Attend an authorized VFS Global center in Bangladesh for biometrics collection. Schedule your immigration medical examination with a Department of Home Affairs-approved panel doctor.
Step 6: Wait for Case Assessment & Grant
A case officer will review the documentation. Respond quickly to any Requests for Information (RFI). Once approved, your Subclass 309 visa will be granted, enabling you to travel to Australia.
Australia Spouse Visa Fees – Updated July 2026
The Department of Home Affairs indexes visa application charges annually. Following the steep price increases introduced on 1 July 2026, the standard baseline costs for the partner visa stream are outlined below:
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (AUD) | Notes |
| Main Applicant Base Fee | $11,710 AUD | Covers both the 309 and 100 stages. |
| Additional Dependent (Aged 18+) | $5,860 AUD | For adult children included in the file. |
| Additional Dependent (Under 18) | $2,935 AUD | For minor children included in the file. |
| Medical Examination | $350 – $450 AUD | Paid locally to panel doctors in Bangladesh. |
| Bangladeshi & Overseas Police Checks | $50 – $300 AUD | Required for every country lived in for 12+ months. |
| Certified Document Translations | $50+ AUD per page | Must be completed by an authorized translator. |
| ART Review Appeal Fee | $3,727 AUD | Only applicable if the visa is refused and appealed. |
Note: Credit card or PayPal surcharges of roughly 1% to 1.4% apply when paying the government directly via ImmiAccount.
Processing Times for Subclass 309
Visa processing speeds depend heavily on the completeness of your documentation and seasonal departmental backlogs.
- Subclass 309 (Temporary Stage): Typically takes between 9 to 15 months for most clean applications from Bangladesh.
- Subclass 100 (Permanent Stage): The review process begins 2 years after the initial application lodgement date.
Submitting a “decision-ready” application—one containing all medicals, police clearances, and well-indexed relationship proof from day one—greatly minimizes processing delays.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak Relationship Timelines: Simply providing a marriage certificate is rarely enough. The department heavily evaluates the social and financial continuity of your union.
- Mismatched Information: Data inconsistencies between the sponsor’s forms and the applicant’s forms trigger immediate red flags.
- Missing Police Clearances: Forgetting to source character clearances for countries outside Bangladesh where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more over the last 10 years (since turning 16).
Why Choose TRV Global for Your Australia Spouse Visa Application?
Navigating the complexities of Australian immigration law from Bangladesh can be overwhelming. Small documentation mistakes often result in lengthy processing delays or outright visa refusals.
At TRV Global, based in the Banani neighborhood of Dhaka, we specialize in helping couples successfully build bulletproof visa portfolios. Our services include:
- Comprehensive evaluation of your marriage or de facto eligibility.
- Strategic organization and structuring of relationship history and evidence.
- Complete management of the ImmiAccount portal, forms, and digital lodgement.
- Prompt handling of Department of Home Affairs case officer communications.
Contact TRV Global today to secure your future in Australia.
- Website: trvglobalbd.com
- Location: Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I stay in Australia while waiting for my Subclass 309 visa?
No. Because the Subclass 309 is strictly an offshore visa, you must be outside Australia when the application is submitted and when it is ultimately granted. If you want to apply while inside Australia, you must look into the Onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801).
2. What happens if our visa application is refused?
If your application is rejected, your sponsor in Australia usually has the right to lodge an appeal with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). This must be done within a strict time limit and incurs a standard filing fee of $3,727 AUD.
3. Do we need a joint bank account to prove our relationship?
While a joint bank account is one of the strongest forms of financial evidence, it is not an absolute legal requirement. If you do not have one, you can show alternative financial links, such as regular money transfers, shared financial asset management, or joint household purchases.
4. Can I work immediately when I arrive in Australia on a 309 visa?
Yes. The day your Subclass 309 visa is granted, you receive full work and study rights within Australia, alongside access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system).
