Can you put a price on love? For those wanting an Australian partner visa, it’s $11,700
- Written by: Weekend Times
What price can you put on love? Many have been asking that question over the past week as the government increased the cost of applying for a partner visa by 25% overnight
on July 1.
As a result, most partner visas now attract an A$11,700 price tag. While the price of visa applications increased across the board, partner visas went up significantly.
So what is involved in a partner visa application, and can the government really justify the price increase? Or is that simply the going rate for loving an Australian?
How do partner visas work?
The partner visa framework in Australia can be divided into two types of visas.
Firstly, there is the prospective marriage visa. This must be applied for initially offshore, allowing a fiancé to come to Australia, get married and then apply for a partner visa.
Secondly, there is the partner visa which can be applied for onshore or offshore and is for married/de facto relationships.
The couple must then prove the relationship is not a “tick-box” exercise. The Department of Home Affairs scrutinises the relationship to assess whether it’s ongoing and genuine.
To do this, they break the relationship down into four pillars aimed at demonstrating commitment. They are:
- finances
- nature of the household
- social life
- commitment to a shared life.
For example, to prove the financial or social aspect of their relationship, a couple would need to provide months (or years) of bank statements, showing joint household expenses, and evidence of outings with friends and family.
Two-stage process
One issue with the partner visa framework is how the fee is charged, resulting in a significant amount of pressure on the couple.
The partner visa application process has two stages: a temporary stage and a permanent stage. To lodge the partner visa application, the migrant must apply for both at the same time.
If the department is satisfied all requirements have been met, the temporary visa stage is granted first while the permanent stage remains pending.
Then, usually after two years, the migrant becomes eligible for the permanent visa stage. The two-year time frame usually starts from when they apply for the visa.
The permanent visa is not automatic and the department reconsiders the evidence to ensure the couple is still in a genuine and committed relationship.
Importantly, it can take more than two years to process partner visa applications. So on some occasions, the department may consider both the temporary and permanent at the same time if there has been a delay in processing.
This is significant because the migrant is left in a state of limbo for that period, which can place additional strain on the relationship.
Paying upfront
Interestingly, the Department of Home Affairs has been strategic with how it has framed the visa application charges for these two stages.
In simple terms, the department has applied a $0 fee for the temporary visa stage and an $11,700 fee for the permanent visa stage. The applicant has no option but to lodge both upfront.
There is no refund for relationship breakdowns or visa denial, so if the relationship does end or the migrant no longer wants to continue with the application, they forfeit the fee of $11,700.
This method allows the department to continue to make money on partner visa applications while reducing the liability of losing potential revenue on the second stage.
Steady climb, then big jump
Partner visa fees have always been a source of contention among migrants. The application fee has historically risen every year, with the partner visa fees sitting at $6,685 ten years ago.
Despite this, the July 1 rise of 25% is the largest increase to date.
Home Affairs has justified these increases by saying there are significant resources required for family visas and said:
the broad 25% increase in VAC [visa application charge] may limit these rights by affecting access to family reunion pathways […] however, the government is of the view that this measure is compatible with these rights as the VAC is and remains a small part of the cost to come to Australia.
this measure provides a broad-based and efficient mechanism to raise revenue across the migration program while maintaining the existing charge structure.
Many may disagree that this is a only a small price to pay, particularly when a family with two children (with additional fees for secondary applicants) could face fees approaching $20,000 to be reunified.
Hundreds of millions in revenue
Similar rises in other visa areas have shocked those affected.
Notably, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Andrew McKellar scrutinised the increase for student visas, arguing it would make Australia look less attractive as a destination.
But unlike international students, who may be weighing up their options across a range of countries, partners of Australian citizens can’t shop around. The government would be well aware of this.
In 24–25 financial year, there were 68,105 partner visa lodgements.
If we continue with this trend, the Australian government is looking to raise just under $800 million in revenue from partner visas alone.
This raises some important questions on revenue versus principle for the Australian government and demonstrates its attitude towards family reunification visas more generally.
Louisa Jones does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Louisa received funding through the Research Training Program.
