Newly Proposed Partner Visa Framework

As part of the Federal Budget, the Government announced that it will implement reforms to strengthen the integration outcomes of the Partner program soon. These include:

•  Introducing an English language requirement for permanent resident sponsors and Partner visa applicants; and
• Apply the family sponsorship framework set out in the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2018 (the Act) to the Partner visa program.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENT

The English language requirement may be met by demonstrating that the person has made a ‘reasonable effort’ to learn English, or demonstrating an existing level of English, for example Functional English.

THE NEW SPONSORSHIP FRAMEWORK

The new sponsorship framework will separate the sponsorship and visa application into two separate processes. The sponsorship application will be assessed separately and will need to be approved before a valid Partner visa application can be lodged.

In addition to the above, The Department can also: 

• Disclose ‘adverse information’ about the Partner sponsor to the prospective Partner visa applicant.
• Adverse information could include relevant and registrable offences – such as child sex offences – as defined in the Migration Regulations 1994, other serious offences, or history of domestic and family violence.