Can I Get Centrelink on a 309 Partner Visa? (2025-26 Guide)

What Is the 309 Partner Visa?

The Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa is a temporary visa for people in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It's the offshore equivalent of the Subclass 820 onshore partner visa.

Key facts about the 309 visa:

• It's a temporary visa - you're not a permanent resident yet
• You applied from outside Australia
• It leads to the Subclass 100 permanent visa (usually granted after 2 years)
• You have unlimited work rights in Australia
• You can enrol in Medicare

For full visa details, see the Department of Home Affairs partner visa page.

Centrelink Payments: What Can You Get?

As a 309 visa holder, your access to Centrelink payments is limited because you hold a temporary visa. However, some family payments are available because of your partner's status.

Family Tax Benefit on a 309 Visa

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is the main family payment in Australia. It's assessed on the family as a whole, not just the individual claimant.

How It Works for 309 Families

• Your Australian partner submits the FTB claim (they're the eligible person)
• Your combined family income determines the payment amount
• FTB Part A is up to $6,323.44 per child per year (under 13) or $8,223.58 (13-15)
• FTB Part B is up to $4,508.16 per year for families with a child under 5
• Use our Centrelink Calculator to estimate your exact entitlements

Parental Leave Pay on a 309 Visa

Parental Leave Pay (PLP) provides up to 22 weeks of pay at the national minimum wage (currently $183.58/day before tax). To qualify on a 309 visa, you must meet:

• Work test: Worked at least 10 of the 13 months before birth/adoption, with at least 330 hours in that 10-month period
• Income test: Individual income under $168,865 per year
• Residency: You need to be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day of claim. The 309 visa qualifies you as a resident for PLP purposes in most cases

Medicare on a 309 Visa

Yes - 309 visa holders are eligible for Medicare. You can enrol as soon as your visa is granted and you arrive in Australia.

Medicare gives you:

• Free or subsidised visits to GPs and specialists
• Free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
• Subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

To enrol, visit a Services Australia service centre with your passport and visa grant letter. See our step-by-step Medicare enrolment guide for full details.

Use our Medicare Comparison tool to understand what's covered and what you might need private health insurance for.

NARWP and the 309 Visa

The Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) generally applies once you receive your permanent visa (Subclass 100), not while you're on the temporary 309.

Here's what happens at each stage:

While on 309 (Temporary)

• NARWP hasn't started yet for most payments
• You can access FTB through your partner
• You cannot access income support payments (JobSeeker, etc.)

When You Get the 100 (Permanent)

• NARWP officially starts from the grant date of your Subclass 100 visa
• 1-year NARWP for FTB (but you may already be receiving it through your partner)
• 2-year NARWP for Parental Leave Pay (from 100 grant date)
• 4-year NARWP for JobSeeker and income support

Use our NARWP Countdown tool to calculate exactly when each waiting period ends once you get your 100 visa.

What Changes When You Get the 100 Permanent Visa?

The Subclass 100 is the permanent partner visa that follows the 309. It's usually granted about 2 years after the 309 (unless you qualify for early grant). Here's what changes:

Tips for 309 Visa Holders

1. Claim FTB as soon as your baby is born - your partner can claim immediately if they're an Australian citizen/PR. Don't wait.
2. Keep all overseas employment records - payslips, contracts, and tax returns from your home country can help you meet the PLP work test.
3. Enrol in Medicare on arrival - don't delay. See our Medicare enrolment guide.
4. Start your TFN application - you need a Tax File Number to receive Centrelink payments. Apply at ato.gov.au.
5. Track your visa journey - use our Visa Pathway tool to understand the 309 → 100 timeline.

Official Resources

• Services Australia - Family Tax Benefit
• Services Australia - Parental Leave Pay
• Services Australia - NARWP
• Department of Home Affairs - Visa Listing
• Services Australia - Medicare Card

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Centrelink on a 309 partner visa?

The 309 is a temporary visa, so you generally can't claim income-support payments like JobSeeker. You may be able to get Family Tax Benefit and Parental Leave Pay if you meet the residence rules, and you're usually eligible for Medicare. The full range of payments opens up once your 100 permanent visa is granted, subject to any applicable waiting period.

Do I get Medicare on a 309 visa?

Yes. Holders of the 309 partner visa are eligible to enrol in Medicare. Apply at a Services Australia service centre with your visa grant notice and passport.

Does the NARWP apply to the 309 visa?

The standard Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period for income-support payments generally doesn't run in the usual way while you only hold the temporary 309. When your 100 permanent visa is granted the relevant waiting periods apply from that date, although time already spent in Australia on the 309 can often count towards them. Family Tax Benefit and Parental Leave Pay have their own, shorter residence rules.

Can I get Family Tax Benefit on a 309 visa?

Often yes. Family Tax Benefit isn't held up by the long income-support waiting period, so a 309 holder living in Australia with a child in their care may qualify if they meet the income test. Lodge a claim through myGov linked to Centrelink.

What changes when I get the 100 permanent visa?

As a permanent resident you can claim the full range of Centrelink payments - JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Carer Payment and more - subject to the NARWP and the income and assets tests. Family Tax Benefit and Medicare continue.