You must be in a genuine, committed and exclusive marriage or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen. Also, your partner will need to sponsor you.

Also, other criteria must be met. For example, you must live together.  If unmarried, there are generally requirements related to the length of the relationship. In addition, the circumstances of your relationship will be considered in determining whether your relationship is genuine and meets the eligibility criteria for a partner visa. Circumstances considered include the financial and social aspects of your relationship, the nature of the household and your commitment to each other.

The sponsor must also meet certain requirements to be eligible to sponsor their partner. There is a limit to the number of people that they can have sponsored in the past, and the time that has passed since sponsoring a previous partner. The sponsor must provide a police check. Some offences can make a person ineligible to sponsor. However, sometimes requirements can be waived for compelling circumstances.

You must be over 18. You must be outside Australia when you apply for this visa and be planning to come to Australia to marry an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen. You must be legally permitted to marry. You must have physically met the person you plan to marry in Australia.  This person who you intend to marry must sponsor you. There are also other criteria you must meet.

The sponsor must also meet certain requirements to be eligible to sponsor their partner. There is a limit to the number of people that they can have sponsored in the past, and the time that has passed since sponsoring a previous partner. The sponsor must provide a police check. Some offences can make a person ineligible to sponsor. Sometimes these requirements can be waived for compelling circumstances.