Key Takeaways
- If you are searching for a partner visa agent Melbourne couples can rely on, My Migration Lawyers is a law firm that prepares and lodges Subclass 820, Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 applications for Melbourne sponsors and applicants by video, from its Sydney office at Level 1, 60 Martin Place.
- A registered migration agent and an Australian lawyer can both prepare and lodge a partner visa. A lawyer can also act in court, including judicial review, and advise on related legal areas such as family law, criminal history and relationship property.
- Melbourne clients do not need to travel. Consultations are held by video, documents are exchanged electronically, and applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount.
- My Migration Lawyers also acts on harder Melbourne matters: Schedule 3 waivers, sponsorship limitations, section 56 and section 57 responses, family violence, refusals and review at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
- After a partner visa refusal, the review application must be lodged within 28 days of notification, or 7 days for a person in immigration detention, and that time cannot be extended.
If you typed "partner visa agent Melbourne" into Google, you most likely want one thing: an experienced professional who will get your partner visa prepared properly and lodged without mistakes. A partner visa agent Melbourne search returns registered migration agents and law firms side by side, and many people do not know there is a difference. My Migration Lawyers is an Australian law firm. It acts for Melbourne sponsors and applicants on every stage of the partner visa process, by video, from its office at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, Sydney.
This page explains what a partner visa agent Melbourne search should lead you to, what My Migration Lawyers does for Melbourne couples, how a lawyer's role compares with a registered migration agent's role, and how the work runs remotely from the first consultation to the grant. It is written for people who are about to hire help, not as a general guide to partner visa law. The firm's dedicated page for Victorian clients is Partner Visa Lawyers Melbourne, and its wider practice for the city is set out on Immigration Lawyers Melbourne.
Partner visa agent Melbourne: what My Migration Lawyers offers
My Migration Lawyers offers Melbourne couples full legal representation on a partner visa: assessment, strategy, evidence, preparation, lodgement, correspondence with the Department of Home Affairs, and review if something goes wrong. Most people who search for a partner visa agent Melbourne want exactly that service. The firm provides it as a law firm, with the Principal Lawyer, Weiwei Zhang, responsible for the firm's partner visa practice.
The firm acts on all of the main partner visa pathways:
- the onshore Subclass 820 partner visa, with the permanent Subclass 801 assessed later;
- the offshore Subclass 309 partner visa, with the permanent Subclass 100 assessed later;
- the Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa for engaged couples; and
- the harder matters, including Schedule 3 waivers, sponsorship limitations, family violence claims and partner visa refusals.
A partner visa agent Melbourne couples choose should understand the whole pathway, not only the form. A partner visa is a two-stage visa. Decisions made at the first stage affect the second stage, and a weak first application can follow a couple for years. The firm's overview of the partner visa two-stage process explains why the planning matters from the start.
Who the firm acts for in Melbourne
My Migration Lawyers acts for Australian citizen sponsors, permanent resident sponsors and eligible New Zealand citizen sponsors who live in Melbourne and across Victoria. It also acts for applicants who are already in Melbourne on another visa, and for applicants overseas whose Australian partner lives in Melbourne. A person who searches for a partner visa agent Melbourne may be the sponsor, the applicant, or both together. The firm advises the couple as a unit while keeping in mind that each person has separate legal obligations. The firm's page on what the Australian partner must do as sponsor sets out the sponsor's side.
Why people searching for a partner visa agent Melbourne contact a law firm
People searching for a partner visa agent Melbourne usually contact a law firm for one of three reasons: the matter is urgent, the matter is complicated, or they want one firm to stay with them through every stage. Each reason is practical. None depends on a view that one profession is better than the other.
Urgency. A visa that ends next week, a refusal with a review deadline, or a section 57 letter with a short response period all need fast and accurate advice. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples contact in that situation must be able to see the legal issue immediately. My Migration Lawyers prioritises urgent matters and can often meet a couple by video at short notice.
Complexity. Previous refusals, criminal convictions, Schedule 3, PIC 4020 concerns, children from earlier relationships and family violence all raise legal questions that go beyond the forms. The firm's page on complex partner visa applications explains what makes a case complex, and its page on the complex partner visa lawyer role explains what the legal work involves.
Continuity. A partner visa can take years from first application to permanent visa. Couples who search for a partner visa agent Melbourne often want a single firm to hold the file from the first stage, through the second stage, and through any review or court work if it is ever needed. A law firm can provide that continuity across every forum.
Whatever the reason, the first conversation should be about your facts. A partner visa agent Melbourne search is only a starting point. The consultation is where the real risks are identified.
Is a migration lawyer the same as a partner visa agent in Melbourne?
No. A registered migration agent and an Australian lawyer are regulated differently, although both can lawfully prepare and lodge a partner visa application. Understanding the difference helps you decide what kind of help suits your matter. Neither choice is wrong. Many people searching for a partner visa agent Melbourne are simply using the word "agent" to mean "someone who does visas", and a law firm such as My Migration Lawyers provides that help.
What a registered migration agent is
A registered migration agent is a person registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority to give immigration assistance. Registered migration agents must meet registration requirements, complete continuing professional development and comply with a code of conduct. A good registered migration agent knows the partner visa criteria well and can prepare, lodge and manage an application through to a decision. Registered migration agents can also represent applicants at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
What an Australian lawyer is
An Australian lawyer who gives immigration assistance in connection with legal practice is regulated by the legal profession authority of their State or Territory. Lawyers in that position do not also need to register as migration agents. They are bound by the professional conduct rules for solicitors, hold a practising certificate, and owe duties to the court as well as to the client. My Migration Lawyers is a law firm, and its partner visa work is legal work carried out under those rules.
The firm's longer explanation of the difference between a migration agent and a lawyer for a partner visa and its comparison of a migration agent and an immigration lawyer cover the regulatory detail. There is also a short answer on whether you need a lawyer or a migration agent for a partner visa.
What can a lawyer do that a partner visa agent in Melbourne cannot?
A lawyer can act for you in court, and a lawyer can advise on the legal issues around the visa that fall outside migration law. Those are the two practical differences. For a straightforward application, both a registered migration agent and a lawyer prepare the same forms and the same evidence. The difference shows when a matter becomes complicated. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples hire for a simple case may never need either power, but couples with a complex history often do.
Court work and judicial review
If the Administrative Review Tribunal affirms a refusal, the only remaining legal avenue may be judicial review in the courts. Judicial review asks whether the decision involved a legal error. Representation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and in the Federal Court is work for lawyers. My Migration Lawyers can advise on whether a judicial review application has a proper basis and act in it. The firm's article on partner visa judicial review explains what that involves, and the FAQ on the difference between tribunal review and judicial review gives the short version.
Having the same firm from lodgement to court matters. The record that is built at the Department and at the Tribunal is the record a court later examines. A lawyer who prepares the first application with that in mind can keep options open later. That is one reason some people who search for a partner visa agent Melbourne decide to engage a law firm from the outset.
Advice across related areas of law
Partner visas often touch other areas of law. A sponsor may have criminal convictions that engage regulation 1.20KC. An applicant may still be married to a former spouse. A child may need the other parent's consent to migrate. A couple may have overseas court orders, property disputes or family violence concerns. A lawyer can give legal advice on those issues as they affect the visa, and recognise when specialist advice in another area is needed. The firm's pages on a partner visa with a criminal record, a partner visa while still married to someone else and child custody and consent show the kinds of overlap that arise.
Legal professional privilege
Communications between a client and a lawyer for the purpose of legal advice can attract legal professional privilege. For a couple disclosing a difficult history, such as a past visa breach or an earlier refusal, that protection can matter. A partner visa agent Melbourne search will not usually tell you this, but it is one of the reasons some couples choose a law firm.
How do video consultations work for Melbourne clients?
My Migration Lawyers meets Melbourne clients by video, so there is no need to travel to Sydney or to an office. The firm's office is in Sydney, at Level 1, 60 Martin Place. It does not have a Melbourne office, and it does not need one to act as the partner visa agent Melbourne couples are looking for. Its consultations are held by video Australia-wide, which means a couple in Melbourne receives the same service as a couple in Sydney.
The process is simple:
- You submit a consultation request with a short description of your situation.
- The firm confirms the consultation and tells you which documents to have ready, such as passports, any refusal letter, and any letters from the Department.
- The consultation takes place by video. Both partners can attend, from the same room or from different places, including from overseas.
- After the consultation, the firm explains the recommended pathway, the risks and the next steps, and provides a costs agreement for the work.
The firm's page on working with a partner visa lawyer by video explains the remote process in more detail, and the page on a partner visa lawyer consultation explains what happens in the first meeting. There is also a short answer on how to book a consultation with My Migration Lawyers.
Why distance does not affect a partner visa
Partner visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. The Department does not process applications by city, and there is no advantage in using a partner visa agent Melbourne office rather than a firm based elsewhere. What matters is the quality of the legal assessment and the evidence. For most Melbourne couples, a video consultation is also more convenient than taking time off work to travel into the city. The firm's page on finding a partner visa lawyer near me explains why location is not the deciding factor. A partner visa agent Melbourne search should therefore focus on expertise and communication rather than postcode.
Onshore Subclass 820 applications for Melbourne couples
The Subclass 820 visa is the onshore partner visa for applicants who are in Australia when they apply and when the first stage is decided. Many Melbourne couples who search for a partner visa agent Melbourne are in this position. The applicant may be in Melbourne on a student visa, a graduate visa, a working holiday visa, a skilled visa or a visitor visa.
For an onshore Melbourne matter, My Migration Lawyers checks four things before anything is lodged:
- The applicant's current visa and conditions. A condition such as 8503 "No Further Stay" can prevent an onshore application unless it is waived. The firm's pages on condition 8503 and on applying from a student visa explain the common traps.
- Whether Schedule 3 applies. If the applicant does not hold a substantive visa when applying, additional criteria apply. This is covered below.
- The relationship requirements. A married couple and a de facto couple meet different tests. A de facto couple usually needs 12 months of de facto relationship before applying, unless an exception applies, such as registration of the relationship. The firm's guide to the de facto partner visa 12-month rule covers this, and Melbourne couples can read how to register a de facto relationship in Victoria.
- The sponsor's eligibility. The firm checks sponsorship limitations, previous sponsorships and any criminal history before the sponsor signs anything.
An onshore application lodged while the applicant holds a substantive visa usually results in a bridging visa that keeps the applicant lawful in Australia while the application is processed. The firm's page on the partner visa bridging visa explains how this works, and the Subclass 820 partner visa complete guide covers the criteria. For an onshore matter, a partner visa agent Melbourne applicants rely on must check these points before lodgement, not after.
When a Melbourne applicant's visa is about to expire
Timing is critical when a visa is close to expiring. An application lodged one day after the visa expires can trigger Schedule 3, which is a much harder test. If your visa ends soon, the firm can prioritise the matter through its urgent partner visa lodgement service. The firm's article on lodging a partner visa before your visa expires explains what can be done in a short time and what cannot. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples call at the last minute should be able to tell them, quickly and accurately, whether a valid application can still be made.
Offshore Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 for Melbourne sponsors
Many Melbourne sponsors have a partner who lives overseas. In that situation the usual pathway is the offshore Subclass 309 visa for a married or de facto couple, or the Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa for an engaged couple who intend to marry in Australia. A partner visa agent Melbourne sponsors hire for an offshore matter needs to manage two people in two countries, two sets of documents, and often two languages.
My Migration Lawyers handles offshore matters for Melbourne sponsors in the same way as onshore ones, by video and electronic document exchange. The applicant can attend consultations from overseas. The firm's page on the offshore partner visa lawyer role and its comparison of the onshore and offshore partner visa explain the choice between pathways. There is also a short answer on who can help with an offshore Subclass 309/100 partner visa.
For engaged couples, the Subclass 300 visa requires an intention to marry within the visa period, and the marriage must take place within that period. The firm's guide to what happens if you do not marry within 9 months on a 300 visa explains the consequence, and the FAQ on fiancé visa versus partner visa helps couples choose. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples engage for a Subclass 300 should also plan ahead for the onshore partner visa that follows the marriage.
Visiting Melbourne while an offshore application is processed
Couples often want the applicant to visit Melbourne while a Subclass 309 or Subclass 300 application is pending. That can be possible, but a visitor visa application must be truthful about the pending partner visa, and the applicant's location at the time of decision needs to be checked against the current rules for the subclass. The firm's articles on visiting Australia during partner visa processing and on where you need to be when a 309 is granted explain the rules. A partner visa agent Melbourne sponsors rely on should raise these travel questions before anyone books a flight.
Partner visa agent Melbourne: Schedule 3 and visa history problems
Schedule 3 matters are where professional help makes the clearest difference. Schedule 3 of the Migration Regulations 1994 contains additional criteria for an onshore applicant who did not hold a substantive visa when applying. In a partner visa, the Department can waive certain Schedule 3 criteria if there are compelling reasons. Many Melbourne applicants who are overstayers, or who are on a Bridging Visa E, search for a partner visa agent Melbourne when they learn about Schedule 3.
My Migration Lawyers acts in many Schedule 3 matters. On a Melbourne Schedule 3 case, the firm:
- confirms the applicant's full immigration history from Department records rather than relying on memory;
- identifies which Schedule 3 criteria apply and whether the applicant was ever unlawful;
- builds a waiver submission around compelling reasons, such as the length of the relationship, Australian citizen children, a partner's health or care needs, or circumstances outside the applicant's control; and
- prepares the evidence that supports each reason.
The firm's commercial page on Schedule 3 waivers, its article on the Schedule 3 partner visa lawyer role and its explanation of how a Schedule 3 waiver submission is written give more detail. For an overstayer, choosing a partner visa agent Melbourne applicants trust with a Schedule 3 case is a decision about evidence and strategy, not convenience. Long-term overstayers can read the article on the Schedule 3 waiver for long-term overstayers.
Other visa history problems
Other history problems also need legal assessment before lodgement: a previous visa refusal or cancellation, a section 48 bar, a past PIC 4020 finding, or a previous partner visa sponsored by the same sponsor. The firm's page for a partner visa lawyer for applicants with visa history problems covers these issues, and the article on the partner visa section 48 bar explains one of the most common onshore restrictions. A partner visa agent Melbourne applicants hire should ask about every previous application, refusal and cancellation at the first consultation, because the Department already holds that history.
How documents are handled remotely for Melbourne clients
Melbourne clients send documents to My Migration Lawyers electronically. The firm reviews them, identifies gaps, and prepares the application for online lodgement. There is no need to post originals. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples work with should give a clear list of what is needed and should check every document before it is uploaded.
The documents in a partner visa matter usually fall into these groups:
- Identity and civil documents, such as passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce orders and name change documents. The firm's partner visa document checklist lists the usual items, and the FAQ on certified copies explains how scans are handled.
- Relationship evidence across the four aspects the Department assesses: the financial aspects, the nature of the household, the social aspects and the nature of the commitment. The firm's guide on how to prove your relationship is genuine explains what each aspect involves.
- Statements. Each partner provides one relationship statement in their own words. Friends and family who know the couple can give Form 888 statements as supporting witnesses. The firm's pages on the partner visa relationship statement and on Form 888 witness statements explain both.
- Police and health checks. An Australian police check for a partner visa must be the national police check from the Australian Federal Police. A check issued by Victoria Police is not a substitute. The firm's page on the partner visa AFP police check explains which check to order, and the page on overseas police certificates covers countries where the applicant has lived.
- Translations. Documents not in English must be translated. The firm's page on partner visa evidence translation sets out the requirements. A partner visa agent Melbourne applicants work with should confirm which documents need translation before the translator is paid.
Organising the file for the case officer
A case officer reads the application in the order it is uploaded. My Migration Lawyers organises evidence so that each document is easy to identify and each aspect of the relationship is clearly supported. The firm's article on partner visa evidence organisation explains the approach. A decision-ready application reduces the chance of a request for more information. The FAQ on a decision-ready partner visa application explains the idea. For a partner visa agent Melbourne couples work with remotely, careful organisation also replaces the face-to-face meetings that once made document collection slow.
Department requests, interviews and correspondence
After lodgement, My Migration Lawyers is the authorised recipient for Department correspondence, which means letters come to the firm and are acted on promptly. Melbourne clients are told about each letter, what it means and what is needed from them. This is one of the most valuable parts of the service a partner visa agent Melbourne couples hire can provide, because Department deadlines are short and missing one can lead to a refusal.
The firm handles:
- Section 56 requests for more information or documents. The firm's guide to responding to a section 56 request explains the process.
- Section 57 letters, which invite comment on adverse information before a decision is made. The firm's article on the section 57 natural justice letter explains why these letters need careful legal responses.
- Interviews. The Department sometimes interviews one or both partners, often by telephone. The firm prepares clients by explaining the process and the topics usually covered, without scripting answers. The firm's page on partner visa interview questions and the FAQ on whether a lawyer can prepare you for a partner visa interview explain more.
- Changes in circumstances, such as a new address, a new child, or a change in the relationship. These must be reported. The firm's page on Form 1022 for a partner visa explains when. Ongoing management of this kind is the part of the work that a partner visa agent Melbourne couples hire should carry until the permanent visa is decided.
The My Migration Lawyers Difference
Affordable Fees
Complex Matter Capability
Instalment Payment Options
Two-Day Cooling-off Period
Partner visa refusals and ART review for Melbourne applicants
If a partner visa is refused, the applicant may be able to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for merits review. The Tribunal looks at the decision afresh and can consider new evidence. A refusal is the point at which many people first search for a partner visa agent Melbourne, often with only days left to act. My Migration Lawyers acts on partner visa refusals and on review at the Tribunal for Melbourne applicants, by video.
The deadline and the fee
Under section 347(3) of the Migration Act 1958, the review application must be made within 28 days after the day the applicant is notified of the decision, or within 7 days if the applicant is in immigration detention on the day of notification. The Tribunal cannot extend that time. As at October 2026, the Tribunal's fees page lists the application fee for review of a migration decision under Part 5 of the Migration Act as $3,580, with a reduction to 50% of the fee available in cases of financial hardship. The fee must be paid, or the reduced amount paid with a request for reduction, within the same time limit.
The firm's article on the partner visa appeal deadline explains how to count the days, and the page on partner visa ART fees explains the fee in more detail. If the deadline is close, the firm's urgent ART visa refusal applications service exists for that situation.
Who applies for review
For an onshore Subclass 820 refusal, the visa applicant applies for review. For a Subclass 309 refusal, the visa applicant also applies for review in their own name, under section 338(9) of the Migration Act and regulations 4.02(4)(saa) and 4.02(5)(raa) of the Migration Regulations 1994. Couples are often told that only the Melbourne sponsor can apply for review of an offshore refusal. That is no longer correct for a Subclass 309 refusal. The firm's article on who can lodge a partner visa appeal explains the rules for each subclass. A partner visa agent Melbourne sponsors consult after an offshore refusal should confirm who the review applicant is on the first day.
What the firm does at the Tribunal
On a Melbourne review, the firm reads the refusal reasons, obtains the Department file where needed, identifies what the decision maker found missing or doubtful, and prepares a written submission with new evidence aimed at each reason. It then prepares the applicant, the sponsor and any witnesses for the hearing. The Tribunal holds hearings in person and also by video or telephone, and the firm can represent Melbourne clients in either format. The firm's article on the partner visa ART appeal lawyer role, its guide to the partner visa ART hearing and its page on partner visa appeal submissions cover the process. A partner visa agent Melbourne applicants instruct at the review stage should prepare the case for the hearing, not simply lodge the form.
Sometimes review is not the better option, and a fresh application is. The firm's comparison of appeal versus reapplication explains how that choice is made. Anyone holding a bridging visa should also read about the bridging visa after a partner visa refusal, because lawful status depends on acting in time.
Partner visa agent Melbourne: what to check before you hire anyone
Whoever you hire, a few checks protect you. These apply whether you choose a registered migration agent, a law firm, or My Migration Lawyers. A partner visa agent Melbourne decision is a decision about who will handle the most important application of your life together, so it is worth asking the right questions.
- Check registration or admission. A registered migration agent should appear on the register maintained by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. A lawyer should hold a current practising certificate.
- Ask who will do the work and who is responsible for it. At My Migration Lawyers, the firm's partner visa practice is led by its Principal Lawyer, Weiwei Zhang.
- Ask for a written costs agreement. It should say what work is included, what is excluded, and what government charges you will pay separately. The firm's article on the partner visa lawyer costs agreement lists what it should cover.
- Ask how fees are structured. My Migration Lawyers charges fixed fees per matter, set out in the costs agreement after the consultation. The firm's page on fixed fee partner visa lawyers explains how fixed fees work, and the page on what drives a partner visa lawyer quote explains why complex matters cost more to prepare.
- Be wary of promises. No professional can guarantee a partner visa. The FAQ on whether a lawyer can guarantee a partner visa explains why.
- Make sure you can see your own application. You should know what was lodged on your behalf. The FAQ on accessing an application lodged by a lawyer or agent explains your rights.
The firm's article on questions to ask a partner visa lawyer and its guide on partner visa lawyer red flags give more checks. For a Melbourne-specific view, read the firm's guides on choosing the best partner visa lawyer in Melbourne and the best migration lawyer in Melbourne.
Changing representatives part way through
Some Melbourne couples already have an application lodged and want a second opinion or a change of representative. That is common and can be done at any stage, including before a Tribunal hearing. The firm's articles on changing partner visa lawyers mid-application and on a partner visa second opinion explain how a file is transferred. If a previous representative made an error, the article on a partner visa refused because of an agent's mistake explains the options. Changing to a new partner visa agent Melbourne couples choose does not restart the application; the existing application continues with the new representative.
Partner visa agent Melbourne: situations the firm commonly sees
The scenarios below are general illustrations of the matters Melbourne couples bring to My Migration Lawyers. They are not client stories. They show how the same search, partner visa agent Melbourne, can describe very different legal problems.
A student about to finish a course. An applicant on a student visa in Melbourne has been in a de facto relationship for just under 12 months, and the student visa ends in six weeks. The questions are whether the relationship can be registered, whether an onshore Subclass 820 application can be lodged validly before the visa expires, and whether any no further stay condition applies. A partner visa agent Melbourne couples call here must answer all three questions together.
A sponsor with an old conviction. A Melbourne sponsor has a conviction from many years ago. Before the sponsor signs anything, the firm checks whether the offence is a relevant offence under regulation 1.20KC and whether there is a significant criminal record. The firm's guide to sponsor relevant offences explains the test.
An overstayer with an Australian child. An applicant has been unlawful in Melbourne for several years and now has an Australian citizen child with the sponsor. This is a Schedule 3 matter. The waiver case depends on compelling reasons and evidence, and the application must be prepared with care from the beginning.
A refusal received by email. An offshore applicant's Subclass 309 visa has been refused, and the Melbourne sponsor believes only the sponsor can seek review. In fact the applicant applies, in their own name, and the time is running. A partner visa agent Melbourne sponsors contact in that position needs to confirm the deadline on the first day.
A second-stage concern. A couple holding a Subclass 820 visa have spent long periods apart because of work interstate. They want to know how that affects the permanent stage. The firm's page on the partner visa second stage lawyer and its page on living apart for work explain the issues.
Each of these matters starts with the same partner visa agent Melbourne search. Each requires a different legal strategy.
Partner visa help across Melbourne and regional Victoria
Because the firm works by video, it acts for clients in every part of Melbourne and regional Victoria in the same way. A person searching for a partner visa agent Melbourne may live in the CBD, in the eastern suburbs, in the western growth areas or in a regional city. The process does not change. A partner visa agent Melbourne search from Frankston, Werribee, Dandenong or Geelong leads to the same video consultation and the same legal work.
The firm has short answers for some Victorian locations, including a partner visa lawyer in Box Hill, a partner visa lawyer in Geelong and a partner visa lawyer in Ballarat. Its answer on whether there is a partner visa lawyer in Melbourne is the short version of this page, and its answer for regional Australia covers clients outside the capital cities. Melbourne has large communities from many countries, and the firm's country guides, such as the Australian partner visa for Indian citizens and the Australian partner visa for Chinese citizens, address documents and issues that arise for applicants from particular countries.
How My Migration Lawyers helps Melbourne couples with a partner visa
My Migration Lawyers is an Australian law firm, and it is the firm many Melbourne couples reach when they search for a partner visa agent Melbourne. It deals with complex partner visa cases, acts in many partner visa matters for clients in Victoria, and is capable of handling a Melbourne matter from the first consultation through to the Tribunal and, where there is a proper basis, the courts. Its Principal Lawyer is Weiwei Zhang. Every Melbourne matter the firm takes on after a partner visa agent Melbourne enquiry is handled under the firm's professional obligations as a law firm, and its approach is explained on the about My Migration Lawyers page.
For Melbourne sponsors and applicants, the firm:
- meets the couple by video from its Sydney office at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, with no need to travel;
- confirms whether the right pathway is a Subclass 820, a Subclass 309 or a Subclass 300, and whether the timing is safe;
- checks the sponsor's eligibility, previous sponsorships and any criminal history before the sponsorship is lodged;
- identifies Schedule 3, condition 8503, section 48 and PIC 4020 issues and prepares waiver submissions where they are needed;
- reviews every document electronically, explains gaps, and organises the evidence for the case officer;
- reviews each partner's relationship statement, which each person writes and corrects in their own words, and the Form 888 statements from witnesses;
- lodges the application online, acts as the authorised recipient, and responds to section 56 requests, section 57 letters and interview requests; and
- acts on refusals and review at the Administrative Review Tribunal, and advises on judicial review.
The firm acts for clients Australia-wide through its partner visa lawyers practice, and its Melbourne partner visa practice is set up for Victorian clients. Couples who want to read more first can visit the firm's Melbourne partner visa lawyers article or the complete guide to partner visas in Australia.
If you are looking for a partner visa agent Melbourne couples can trust with a straightforward application or a difficult one, the first step is a consultation. Book a Consultation with My Migration Lawyers, or call 1300 040 300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Migration Lawyers a partner visa agent in Melbourne?
My Migration Lawyers is an Australian law firm, and it acts for Melbourne couples on partner visas. Many people search for a partner visa agent Melbourne when they want someone to prepare and lodge their application, and the firm provides that service as lawyers. Its office is in Sydney, at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, and it meets Melbourne clients by video. It acts on Subclass 820, Subclass 309 and Subclass 300 applications, Schedule 3 waivers, refusals and review at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Does My Migration Lawyers have a Melbourne office?
No. My Migration Lawyers does not have a Melbourne office. Its office is at Level 1, 60 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000. The firm holds consultations by video, so Melbourne clients do not need to travel. Documents are exchanged electronically and partner visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. A Melbourne couple therefore receives the same service as a couple who lives in Sydney, and both partners can join the consultation from different places, including from overseas.
What is the difference between a partner visa agent and a lawyer?
A registered migration agent is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority to give immigration assistance. An Australian lawyer who gives immigration assistance in connection with legal practice is regulated by the legal profession authority of their State or Territory. Both can prepare and lodge a partner visa and represent applicants at the Administrative Review Tribunal. A lawyer can also act in court, including on judicial review, and give legal advice on related areas such as criminal history, family law and children.
Can a registered migration agent lodge my partner visa?
Yes. A registered migration agent can lawfully prepare and lodge a partner visa application and correspond with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf. Registered migration agents must meet registration requirements and follow a code of conduct. Whether you choose a registered migration agent or a lawyer depends on your circumstances. Couples with a complex history, such as Schedule 3 issues, criminal convictions or a previous refusal, sometimes prefer a law firm because of the court work and wider legal advice a lawyer can provide.
Can I use a partner visa agent in Melbourne if my partner is overseas?
Yes. A Melbourne sponsor with a partner overseas can engage My Migration Lawyers for an offshore Subclass 309 partner visa or a Subclass 300 prospective marriage visa. The overseas partner can attend video consultations from their own country, and documents are sent electronically. The firm manages the evidence from both partners, including overseas police certificates and translations, and lodges the application online. The firm also advises on visits to Melbourne while the application is being processed.
How do video consultations work with My Migration Lawyers?
You submit a consultation request form on the firm's website with a short description of your situation. The firm confirms the consultation and tells you which documents to have ready, such as passports and any letters from the Department. The consultation takes place by video, and both partners can attend. After the consultation, the firm explains the recommended pathway and risks, and provides a written costs agreement setting out the fixed fee for the work.
Is it a disadvantage to use a partner visa lawyer outside Melbourne?
No. Partner visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount and the Department does not process them by city. There is no advantage in using a partner visa agent Melbourne office rather than a firm based elsewhere. What matters is the quality of the legal assessment, the evidence and the responses to Department correspondence. Video consultations also save Melbourne clients the time and cost of travelling to an office during business hours.
Can My Migration Lawyers help if I am in Melbourne without a valid visa?
Yes. An applicant in Melbourne who does not hold a substantive visa may still be able to apply for an onshore Subclass 820 partner visa, but Schedule 3 criteria will apply. The Department can waive certain Schedule 3 criteria if there are compelling reasons. My Migration Lawyers confirms the applicant's immigration history, identifies which criteria apply, and prepares a waiver submission with supporting evidence. These matters should be assessed as early as possible, because status and timing affect the options.
What should I do if my partner visa was refused and I live in Melbourne?
Act immediately. A review application to the Administrative Review Tribunal must be made within 28 days after you are notified of the refusal, or within 7 days if you are in immigration detention, and the Tribunal cannot extend that time. As at October 2026, the Tribunal lists the fee for a migration decision as $3,580, with a 50% reduction for financial hardship. My Migration Lawyers can review the refusal reasons by video and lodge the review application for you.
Who applies for review of a Subclass 309 refusal?
The visa applicant applies for review of a Subclass 309 refusal in their own name. This follows section 338(9) of the Migration Act 1958 and regulations 4.02(4)(saa) and 4.02(5)(raa) of the Migration Regulations 1994, which were inserted in 2023. Many couples are still told that only the Australian sponsor can apply, but that is no longer correct for a Subclass 309 refusal. The sponsor remains closely involved and usually gives evidence at the hearing.
Can a partner visa agent in Melbourne represent me in court?
Only a lawyer can represent you in court on judicial review of a partner visa decision. Judicial review is available where the Administrative Review Tribunal's decision involved a legal error, and it is heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or the Federal Court. My Migration Lawyers can assess whether a Tribunal decision has a proper basis for judicial review and act in the proceedings. A court cannot simply grant the visa; it decides whether the law was applied correctly.
How much does a partner visa lawyer in Melbourne cost?
My Migration Lawyers charges a fixed fee per matter, set out in a written costs agreement after the consultation. The fee depends on the pathway and the complexity of the matter, such as whether Schedule 3, a previous refusal or a sponsorship limitation is involved. Government charges, such as the visa application charge, police checks and health examinations, are paid separately. A costs agreement should state exactly what work is included and what is excluded, so there are no surprises.
Do I need a Victoria Police check or an AFP check for a partner visa?
You need an Australian Federal Police national police check for a partner visa. A police check issued by Victoria Police is not a substitute. Applicants and, where required, sponsors may also need police certificates from other countries where they have lived. My Migration Lawyers tells Melbourne clients exactly which checks to obtain, when to obtain them so they remain current, and how to upload them. Ordering the wrong check is a common cause of delay.
Can I change from my current agent to My Migration Lawyers part way through?
Yes. You can change representatives at any stage, including after lodgement or before a Tribunal hearing. My Migration Lawyers reviews what has already been lodged, identifies any gaps or errors, and updates the Department or the Tribunal so that correspondence comes to the firm. You are entitled to see the application lodged on your behalf. A second opinion is often useful where a refusal, a section 57 letter or a long delay has caused concern.
Can a partner visa agent Melbourne couples hire guarantee the visa?
No. No registered migration agent or lawyer can guarantee that a partner visa will be granted. The decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs, or by the Administrative Review Tribunal on review, applying the law to the evidence. A professional can assess the risks honestly, prepare strong evidence, and respond properly to requests and adverse information. Be cautious of anyone who promises a particular result or a particular processing time.
Can My Migration Lawyers help with a partner visa if we live in regional Victoria?
Yes. My Migration Lawyers acts for clients in regional Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat and other regional centres, in the same way as for clients in Melbourne. Consultations are held by video, documents are exchanged electronically, and applications are lodged online. Living outside a capital city does not change the partner visa criteria, but couples who live apart for work or family reasons may need to explain their living arrangements carefully in the evidence.
























