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🏛 House of Representatives3 readingsAmendments circulated
Migration Amendment (Common Sense Partner Visa) 2020
✦ Plain-English Summary
# Migration Amendment (Common Sense Partner Visa) 2020
## What it does
This bill changes the rules for Partner (Provisional) visas — the first step in bringing a partner to Australia permanently. Currently, applicants must be outside Australia to apply. The bill allows them to apply from inside Australia instead, removing that location requirement.
## Why it matters
For couples separated by distance, this removes a barrier to being together during the visa processing period. It means people don't have to leave Australia and wait overseas just to start their partner visa application — they can apply while already here.
## Key details
- **Applies to Subclass 309 visas only** — the provisional partner visa category
- **Time-limited** — only runs from when the bill passes until 31 December 2021 (it's temporary)
- **Comes into effect immediately** — the day after the bill receives Royal Assent
- **Applies to all applications during this period** — whether applications were lodged before or after the bill passes
Official Description
Amends the Migration Act 1958 to enable, until 31 December 2021, applicants for Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)) visas to be granted a visa while the applicant remains in Australia (due to restrictions on international travel in and out of Australia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Audit History
Introduced
30 Nov 2020
Last updated on APH
10 Apr 2026
Last checked by Crossbench
yesterday
Full text indexed
yesterday
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