Australia: New Flexibilities Introduced for Partner Visas and Temporary Graduate Visas

As of November 25, 2023, the Department of Home Affairs now allows visa applicants in the Partner (Subclass 309 and 820) and Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visas to be in or outside Australia at the time their visa is granted. Prior to COVID-19 concessions, Subclass 309 Partner applicants were required to be outside of Australia when their visas were granted and Subclass 820 Partner and Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate applicants were required to be inside Australia when their visas were granted. Furthermore, Subclass 309 Partner visa applicants now have standing to apply for a review of their application on its merits in their own right, rather than the sponsor, to facilitate better access to this process for domestic violence victims and other compassionate circumstances. This change mirrors arrangements already in place for Subclass 820 Partner visa applicants.