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Can I Get Centrelink on a 309 Partner Visa? (2025-26 Guide)
The Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa is the offshore partner visa — granted while you're outside Australia, allowing you to enter and live with your Australian partner. But can you access Centrelink payments? The short answer: some, but not all. Here's the complete breakdown.
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.
| Payment | 309 Visa Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Family Tax Benefit Part A | Yes — if partner is citizen/PR | Paid to the family unit; your partner can claim |
| Family Tax Benefit Part B | Yes — if partner is citizen/PR | Extra support for single-income families |
| Parental Leave Pay | Limited | Must meet work test + residency requirements |
| Newborn Supplement | Yes — with FTB | If not receiving PLP, up to $2,190.98 |
| Child Care Subsidy | Maybe | Partner may claim; depends on activity test |
| JobSeeker Payment | No | Requires permanent visa + 4-year NARWP |
| Youth Allowance | No | Not available on temporary visa |
| Special Benefit | In hardship only | If in severe financial hardship |
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:
| Benefit | On 309 | On 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | No | Yes |
| FTB (via partner) | Yes | Yes (in own right after NARWP) |
| JobSeeker | No | After 4-year NARWP |
| Parental Leave Pay | Limited | After 2-year NARWP |
| Apply for citizenship | No | After 4 years residence |
| Travel freely | Yes (with travel facility) | Yes (5-year travel facility) |
Tips for 309 Visa Holders
- Claim FTB as soon as your baby is born — your partner can claim immediately if they're an Australian citizen/PR. Don't wait.
- Keep all overseas employment records — payslips, contracts, and tax returns from your home country can help you meet the PLP work test.
- Enrol in Medicare on arrival — don't delay. See our Medicare enrolment guide.
- Start your TFN application — you need a Tax File Number to receive Centrelink payments. Apply at ato.gov.au.
- Track your visa journey — use our Visa Pathway tool to understand the 309 → 100 timeline.
Estimate Your Centrelink Payments
See exactly how much FTB, PLP, and other payments your family could receive.
Use Centrelink Calculator