In a submission to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke this week, a group of partner visa applicants and their Australian sponsors have urged him to explain his decision in July to deprioritise the processing of offshore partner visa applications.
Applicants face waits of more than three years for subclass 309 visas, with 90 per cent of cases processed in up to 39 months, compared to 29 months for onshore partner visa applicants.
A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson told the ABC while offshore partner visa applications would have lower priority, they would still be processed and granted "in accordance with the planning levels and priorities set by the government".
"An onshore-focused program will support timely transitions to permanent residency for migrants already living, working and contributing to Australia, and further reduces the program's impact on net overseas migration."