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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Nick Evershed

‘Putting their lives on hold’: Australian families kept apart as wait times for partner visas blow out

Australia Guardian Australia Abdullah the Department of Home Affairs
A young boy waves an Australian flag during a rally for refugee rights outside Parliament House in Canberra
Data from the home affairs department shows the average wait to get a temporary partner visa is between eight and 13 months – up from six months a decade ago. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Australian families are living in constant fear of being torn apart as wait times for partner visas blow out – to years in some cases, according to newly released figures.

The Department of Home Affairs has released figures on partner visa processing times to Guardian Australia in response to a freedom of information request.

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