Partner Visa to the UK: What Australians Need to Know

An Australian partner and a future in the UK usually means Appendix FM, the Home Office's family-visa framework. The income requirement gets most of the attention, but for Australians specifically, there's a language-test exemption worth knowing about too.

The good news: the UK's Partner visa route under Appendix FM is well documented, and the income requirement that trips up a lot of applicants comes with real alternatives. This guide covers the requirements, the costs, and an exemption that applies to a lot of MBG's readers specifically.

The income requirement, and what counts if you don't meet it

The minimum income requirement is £29,000 a year gross, effective for applications from 11 April 2024. A planned rise to £38,700 was announced and then paused pending a review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC reported back in June 2025 recommending against aligning the threshold with the Skilled Worker salary level, and went further, recommending the requirement actually be lowered to somewhere in the £23,000-£25,000 range. As at today, the government has not adopted that recommendation: the threshold remains £29,000 and is still under review, not increased.

If you don't meet the income threshold through employment, several alternatives exist: cash savings above £16,000 (the exact conversion into an income equivalent depends on the length of leave you're granted, under Appendix FM-SE, so check the current formula or speak to an adviser rather than relying on a single quoted figure), pension income with 12 months of evidence, non-employment income such as rental, dividend or interest income, or the applicant's own income if they're already in the UK and working legally.

Cohabitation, if you're not married

De facto or unmarried couples need at least 2 years of cohabitation to qualify. Married couples and civil partners face no minimum cohabitation period at all, the marriage or civil partnership itself is what matters.

The English language test, you might already be exempt

You generally need to show English at CEFR level A1 at initial application. But there's a broad exemption list: applicants aged 65 or over, those with a relevant medical condition, anyone with an English-taught degree, and, notably, nationals of majority English-speaking countries, which includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand. If that's you, this requirement likely doesn't apply.

What it costs

Processing time

Standard processing for out-of-country applications is 12 weeks.

1. 1

   Confirm your income route or savings alternative

   Work out early whether you meet the £29,000 threshold, or which alternative route applies to your situation.

2. 2

   Check whether you're exempt from the English test

   Australian, Canadian and New Zealand nationals are usually exempt outright.

3. 3

   Budget for the Immigration Health Surcharge separately

   It's charged on top of the entry clearance fee, per adult, for the length of the visa.

4. 4

   Get the exact savings-conversion figure checked

   If you're relying on savings rather than income, have an OISC-regulated adviser confirm the current Appendix FM-SE calculation for your specific visa length.

Visa paperwork is only the start of a move like this. The Ultimate Relocation Guide is a paid, step-by-step guide (from AUD $59) covering what comes next: banking, housing, healthcare and your first 90 days.

Related Reading

Moving from Australia to the UK: The Complete 2026 Guide

NHS Healthcare in the UK: A Complete Guide for Australians

Cost of Living: Australia vs UK - What You'll Actually Pay

Getting Your UK National Insurance Number: A Guide for Australians