The Australian Partner Visa allows spouses, de facto partners, or fiancés of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia, initially on a temporary visa (Subclass 820/309) and later on a permanent visa (Subclass 801/100). A critical aspect of the application process is the sponsorship requirement, where the Australian partner must demonstrate their ability to support the visa applicant.
Understanding the financial obligations of sponsoring a partner is essential for a successful application, as the Australian government aims to ensure that visa holders do not rely heavily on public funds during their initial settlement. Unlike some countries, such as the USA or UK, Australia does not impose a strict minimum income threshold for Partner Visa sponsors. However, sponsors must undertake specific financial responsibilities, including providing accommodation and support for the visa holder for two years after the visa grant.
Partner Visa Sponsorship Obligations
As a sponsor for an Australian Partner Visa, you are required to agree to certain obligations outlined in the sponsorship application (Form 40SP). These obligations are designed to ensure that the visa applicant can settle in Australia without becoming a burden on the welfare system. The primary financial responsibilities include:
- Accommodation Support: Sponsors must ensure adequate accommodation is available for the visa holder (and any dependent children) for two years following the grant of the temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820 for onshore or Subclass 309 for offshore) or the visa holder’s first entry into Australia. This does not necessarily mean owning a home but ensuring a stable living arrangement, such as a rental agreement or family home.
- Financial Assistance: Sponsors must provide financial support to the extent necessary during the same two-year period. This includes covering basic living expenses like food, utilities, and transportation if the visa holder is unable to support themselves.
- Settlement Support: Sponsors agree to provide information and advice to help the visa holder settle in Australia, including access to services like English language courses if needed.
These obligations are formalized through the sponsorship undertaking, which is assessed by the DHA to ensure the sponsor’s commitment is genuine. Importantly, there is no legal requirement for a minimum income or proof of funds in a bank account, as confirmed by migration experts and legal precedents like Babar v Minister for Immigration (2020). Instead, the DHA evaluates the sponsor’s overall financial capacity and the couple’s shared financial arrangements.
Is There a Minimum Income Requirement for Sponsors?
A common misconception is that Australian Partner Visa sponsors must meet a specific income threshold, similar to visa programs in other countries. For example, the UK requires sponsors to earn at least £18,600 annually, while the USA has income thresholds based on household size. In Australia, however, there is no prescribed minimum income or employment requirement for Partner Visa sponsors, as clarified by migration lawyers and the DHA.
This flexibility allows sponsors with low incomes, modest savings, or those receiving social security benefits (e.g., unemployment or disability payments) to be approved as sponsors. The DHA focuses on the sponsor’s ability to meet the accommodation and financial support obligations rather than a fixed salary. For instance, a sponsor who is unemployed but has access to savings, family support, or shared income with the visa applicant can still be eligible.
However, the absence of a minimum income requirement does not mean financial capacity is irrelevant. The DHA may scrutinize the sponsor’s financial situation as part of the broader assessment of the relationship’s genuineness, particularly under the “financial aspects” criterion. Sponsors and applicants must provide evidence of how they manage finances as a couple, which is discussed in detail below.
Financial Aspects of the Relationship: Evidence Requirements
To demonstrate a genuine and ongoing relationship, Partner Visa applications require evidence across four key pillars: financial aspects, household aspects, social aspects, and commitment to each other. The financial aspects criterion is particularly relevant to the sponsor’s financial obligations, as it shows how the couple shares financial responsibilities. While this is distinct from proving the sponsor’s ability to provide support, strong financial evidence can bolster the application.
The DHA does not require proof of a specific amount of money in a bank account or a minimum income. Instead, applicants and sponsors should provide documentation that illustrates their financial interdependence. Examples of acceptable evidence include:
- Joint Bank Accounts: Statements showing regular activity, such as deposits for shared expenses or withdrawals for household costs, demonstrate financial sharing.
- Shared Expenses: Receipts or bank statements for groceries, utilities, rent, or other living costs in both names or showing contributions from both partners.
- Joint Liabilities or Assets: Documents like joint loans, mortgages, car ownership, or insurance policies naming both partners.
- Household Contributions: If one partner owns the home, a letter or statutory declaration explaining how the other contributes to household expenses (e.g., utilities, groceries) can suffice.
- Statutory Declarations: Statements from the couple or third parties (e.g., friends, family) via Form 888, detailing how finances are managed, such as one partner paying rent while the other covers food.
The DHA emphasizes quality over quantity. Evidence should be consistent, with aligned dates and details across documents, and tell a coherent story of financial interdependence. For example, a couple living together for 12 months might submit six months of joint utility bills, a lease agreement, and a joint bank account statement showing shared expenses.
Assurance of Support (AoS): When Is It Required?
In some cases, the DHA may request an Assurance of Support (AoS), a legal commitment by the sponsor (and sometimes a third party) to repay certain social security payments accessed by the visa holder during their initial stay. The AoS is not a standard requirement for Partner Visas but may be requested if the DHA has concerns about the visa holder’s financial independence, such as if they have no income or employment prospects.
An AoS requires the sponsor to demonstrate financial capacity, typically through evidence of income, assets, or savings. While no specific income threshold is mandated for an AoS in Partner Visa cases, some sources suggest an indicative threshold of around AUD 53,900 annually, though this is not universally applied. The AoS may also involve a bond payment, which is refunded after a set period if no social security payments are claimed.
To avoid an AoS request, sponsors can strengthen their application by showing that the visa holder has access to income (e.g., employment, savings) or that the couple’s combined financial resources are sufficient. Consulting a migration agent can help assess whether an AoS is likely to be required in your case.
Financial Evidence for Specific Scenarios
Scenario 1: Sponsor Owns the Home
If the sponsor owns the home where the couple resides, proving shared financial responsibilities can be challenging, as there may be no joint lease or mortgage. In this case, provide:
- A letter or statutory declaration from the sponsor confirming the visa holder’s contribution to household expenses (e.g., utilities, groceries, internet).
- Bank statements or receipts showing the visa holder’s payments for shared costs.
- Evidence of renovations or improvements funded by the visa holder, if applicable.
- Statutory declarations from friends or family (Form 888) attesting to the couple’s financial arrangements.
Scenario 2: Both Partners Are Unemployed
If both the sponsor and visa applicant are unemployed, the DHA will not automatically refuse the application based on lack of employment. Instead, provide evidence of alternative financial support, such as:
- Savings in individual or joint accounts.
- Support from family members, documented through letters or financial records.
- Government benefits received by the sponsor, disclosed in the application.
- Plans for the visa holder to seek employment upon arrival, if applicable.
Ensure consistency with other government applications, such as Centrelink, to avoid conflicting information about the relationship status.
Scenario 3: Visa Applicant Has Independent Income
If the visa applicant has their own income or savings, this can reduce the sponsor’s financial burden. Include:
- The visa applicant’s bank statements, pay slips, or employment contracts.
- Evidence of how the couple combines resources, such as joint accounts or shared expenses.
- A statement explaining how the visa applicant’s income contributes to the household.
The DHA allows couples to combine financial resources to meet the support obligations, making this a viable option for sponsors with limited income.
Costs Associated with the Partner Visa Application
While not directly related to the sponsor’s financial support obligations, the Partner Visa application involves significant costs that the sponsor or couple must cover. The visa application charge for Subclass 820/801 or 309/100 is AUD 9,365, as reported on X. Additional costs include:
- Medical Examinations: Approximately AUD 500 per adult and AUD 350 per child.
- Police Checks: Vary by country, typically AUD 50-$200 per person.
- Document Translation: Costs depend on the service provider, ranging from AUD 50-$500.
- Biometrics Collection: Fees paid to Australian Biometric Collection Centres, approximately AUD 50-$100.
- Tribunal Appeal (if refused): AUD 3,374, with a possible 50% refund if successful.
- Migration Agent Fees: Optional, ranging from AUD 2,000-$5,000 for professional assistance.
Sponsors should budget for these expenses, as the DHA requires payment upfront for the visa application. Limited savings should not deter sponsorship, as the visa holder’s work rights (granted with the temporary visa) can help offset costs post-arrival.
The Australian government regularly updates immigration policies to balance family migration with economic considerations. Proposed reforms, such as requiring sponsorship approval before visa lodgment, have not been implemented for Partner Visas, but sponsors should stay informed about potential changes. The DHA’s emphasis on digital applications and evidence submission through ImmiAccount suggests a move toward streamlined processes, which may benefit applicants with well-prepared financial evidence.
The rising cost of the Partner Visa application (AUD 9,365) reflects inflationary adjustments and increased scrutiny of applications. Sponsors should anticipate potential fee increases and plan accordingly. Monitoring the DHA website or subscribing to migration agent updates can keep you informed of policy shifts.
Conclusion
The Australian Partner Visa sponsor’s financial requirements are designed to ensure that visa holders can settle in Australia with adequate support, without relying on public funds. While there is no minimum income or proof of funds requirement, sponsors must commit to providing accommodation and financial assistance for two years after the visa grant. By providing robust evidence of shared financial responsibilities and preparing for potential costs like the Assurance of Support, sponsors can strengthen their application and improve the chances of approval.
