For Filipino–Australian couples, the dream of building a life together in Australia is often accompanied by a difficult question: Should we apply for a Partner visa while living in the Philippines, or should we pursue an onshore application in Australia?
It is a question that deserves careful consideration.
Since 2015, Australia’s Partner visa application charges have risen dramatically. Processing times can extend well beyond a year, while changing legislation, visa conditions and departmental priorities can affect the most appropriate pathway.
Three visas are central to this decision:
- Class TO, Subclass 300: Prospective Marriage visa.
- Class UF, Subclass 309/100: Offshore Partner visa.
- Class UK, Subclass 820/801: Onshore Partner visa.
Although all three pathways can eventually lead to permanent residence, their requirements and practical consequences differ considerably.
A decade of increasing Partner visa charges
In 2015, the standard government base application charge for a primary Partner visa applicant was AUD $6,865.
By 1 July 2026, it had increased to AUD $11,710.
That represents an increase of approximately 70.6%, or $4,845, over the period.
The progression is striking:
| Year | Standard base charge |
| 2015 | $6,865 |
| 2016 | $6,865 |
| 2017 | $7,000 |
| 2018 | $7,160 |
| 2019 | $7,547 |
| 2020 | $7,715 |
| 2021 | $7,850 |
| 2022 | $8,085 |
| 2023 | $8,850 |
| 2024 | $9,095 |
| 2025 | $9,365 |
| 2026 | $11,710 |
These are standard primary applicant charges, generally reflecting the rate after the annual July adjustment.
- They exclude dependent applicants and ancillary costs.
For a Filipino–Australian couple, the government fee is often only the beginning.
- There may also be costs for medical examinations, Philippine and Australian police clearances, civil registry documents, translations, biometrics, travel and professional assistance.
These rising costs make it increasingly important to select the appropriate visa pathway and submit a carefully prepared application.
Offshore or onshore: what is the difference?
Prospective Marriage visa — TO 300
The Subclass 300 visa is intended for eligible couples who plan to marry.
A Filipino applicant must be outside Australia when applying. The visa permits the applicant to travel to Australia, marry their prospective spouse and subsequently apply for a Partner visa.
The current visa permits a stay of 9 to 15 months from grant.
The principal advantage is that a couple may qualify before marriage and without having established a qualifying de facto relationship.
However, the couple must budget for a further 820/801 application after marriage. Eligible Subclass 300 holders receive a reduced charge for that subsequent application.
This can make the Prospective Marriage pathway more expensive overall than proceeding directly to a Partner visa where the couple already qualifies.
Offshore Partner visa — UF 309/100
The Subclass 309/100 pathway is intended for eligible married or de facto couples.
A Filipino applicant must be outside Australia when lodging the application.
The Subclass 309 is the provisional visa, followed by the permanent Subclass 100 stage.
An important advantage is that the applicant does not need to enter Australia on a Visitor visa merely to lodge the Partner visa application.
The applicant may also be able to visit Australia while the application is being processed, provided an appropriate temporary visa is granted and its conditions are observed.
The disadvantage for some couples is the uncertainty of waiting overseas, potentially while separated from their Australian partner.
Onshore Partner visa — UK 820/801
The Subclass 820/801 pathway is available to eligible applicants who are physically in Australia when they lodge a valid application.
The Subclass 820 is the temporary stage, followed by the permanent Subclass 801 stage.
A valid application may provide access to a bridging visa, depending upon the applicant’s circumstances, allowing the applicant to remain lawfully in Australia while the application is processed.
However, not every Filipino visitor is eligible to lodge an onshore Partner visa application.
Condition 8503, commonly called No Further Stay, may prevent a valid onshore application. Other statutory restrictions and eligibility requirements may also apply.
A Visitor visa must not be treated as a guaranteed stepping stone to permanent residence.
Couples should obtain advice before choosing this strategy.
Processing times: the hidden emotional cost
Application charges can be calculated.
- The emotional cost of separation is much harder to measure.
Couples may experience missed birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations while awaiting a decision.
Australian Partner visa processing times have fluctuated over the years, affected by application volumes, case complexity, staffing, processing arrangements and changes in priorities.
A consistent, verified annual historical series for Filipino applicants in each of Subclasses 300, 309 and 820 is not available for the full 2015–2026 period.
However, the Department reported a 23-month median processing time for the Partner (Provisional/Temporary) category in August 2026.
This does not mean every application takes 23 months. Some are decided sooner, while others take longer.
- Another important development occurred in 2026.
Under Ministerial Direction 117, eligible onshore Partner visa applications receive higher processing priority than offshore Subclass 309 and Prospective Marriage Subclass 300 applications.
This makes the distinction between offshore and onshore applications particularly relevant, although processing priority does not guarantee faster grant in every individual case.
Why an Australian Partner visa application requires more than proof of love
A genuine relationship is essential, but the Department must be satisfied that the relevant legal requirements are met.
For Filipino applicants, the supporting evidence may involve:
- Philippine Statistics Authority birth and marriage records.
- Previous marriage, annulment or other marital-status documentation.
- Evidence of meetings, travel and ongoing communication.
- Financial arrangements and mutual commitments.
- Evidence of shared household arrangements, where relevant.
- Recognition of the relationship by family and friends.
- Dependent children and parental responsibilities.
- Previous visa applications and immigration compliance.
The circumstances of each couple are different.
A couple who has lived together for several years may have different evidence from a couple who has maintained a long-distance relationship between Manila and Sydney.
Neither situation should be reduced to a generic checklist.
The objective is to present a complete, accurate and persuasive account of the relationship, supported by relevant documentation.
Why experience dating back to 1999 can make a meaningful difference
When I became a Registered Migration Agent in 1999, Australian migration practice operated in a very different environment.
Over more than 27 years, I have witnessed substantial changes to migration legislation, visa charges, application procedures, processing arrangements and departmental policy.
That experience provides a valuable perspective when assisting couples to understand not only what the current requirements are, but how changes in the system can affect their plans.
An experienced Registered Migration Agent can assist with selecting the appropriate visa pathway, identifying potential eligibility difficulties, organising evidence, preparing legal submissions and responding to requests from the Department.
Importantly, professional advice can help couples recognise potential problems before they become costly mistakes.
For example, a Filipino applicant who wishes to enter Australia on a Visitor visa and later apply for a Subclass 820 visa should obtain advice about Condition 8503 and the legal requirements for making a valid onshore application.
Similarly, a couple contemplating a Subclass 300 visa should understand the later marriage and Partner visa application requirements, including the additional government charge.
The right advice at the beginning can be considerably more valuable than attempting to resolve a problem after an application has been lodged.
Twelve trained and experienced staff — supporting every stage of the journey
Our migration practice is supported by 12 trained and experienced staff members, working together to assist applicants and their Australian partners.
This team-based approach enables us to coordinate the many practical aspects of an application while maintaining professional oversight.
Our services include assistance with initial eligibility assessments, documentary requirements, relationship evidence, application preparation, lodgement, departmental correspondence and ongoing application management.
We recognise that many applicants are unfamiliar with Australia’s immigration system and may feel overwhelmed by its requirements.
Our aim is to explain the process clearly, respond to clients’ concerns and ensure that important matters are properly addressed.
We also recognise the importance of treating every application as an individual case.
A couple’s relationship history, family circumstances and future plans deserve careful attention.
What should clients expect from a professional migration service?
Clients should reasonably expect more than the completion of forms.
They should receive clear advice about available pathways, transparent information about government and professional fees, assistance identifying documentary deficiencies and timely communication about significant developments.
They should also receive candid advice about risks.
No Registered Migration Agent can guarantee a visa grant, prevent every delay or promise that the Department will reach a particular decision.
What an experienced migration practice can offer is careful preparation, informed representation and a consistent commitment to professional service.
That is the standard our practice seeks to deliver and what our Code of Conduct demands of registered migration agents.
Your relationship deserves careful planning
For Filipino–Australian couples, the decision to apply for a Prospective Marriage, offshore Partner or onshore Partner visa is more important than ever.
The standard government base charge has risen from $6,865 in 2015 to $11,710 in 2026.
Processing times can be lengthy, and the choice of visa pathway can have significant implications for where a couple lives, how they manage separation and what further applications may be necessary.
With experience as a Registered Migration Agent dating back to 1999, supported by 12 trained and experienced staff members, our practice is committed to helping couples navigate these important decisions with care, professionalism and attention to detail.
Your future together deserves more than guesswork. It deserves experienced guidance, thorough preparation and a migration team that understands what is at stake.
Contact our migration team
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident in a relationship with a Filipino national, we invite you to contact our office to discuss your circumstances and available Partner visa options.
General information current to October 2026. Visa eligibility, charges, conditions and processing arrangements may change. Individual advice should be obtained before lodging an application.
The principal references for this article are the Department of Home Affairs pages for Subclass 300, Subclass 309/100 and Subclass 820/801, together with the Department’s processing-time statistics. Historical charges have been checked against published fee histories and relevant legislative records.
Disclaimer: Migration laws and application fees are subject to change. This article provides general information only and does not constitute formal legal or migration advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a Registered Migration Agent
