Options for accompanying partner with temporary skilled worker

[Bloodr0se]

I am a UK citizen who has been living with a partner since April 2019. 

My girlfriend  is currently aiming to move to Australia in February 2020 as a temporary worker on a healthcare fellowship. Most likely WA and I think her visa would be a 457 based on the info I can gather. She really wants me to move there with her but I’m not sure if it’s possible since we would have been cohabiting for less than 12 months by the time her visa application is filed and when she would need to move there. 

Can anybody confirm? I am university educated and in a skilled profession myself however my work experience would currently only allow me to relocate to one of the more rural states (e.g. Tasmania) as an independent applicant. 

Thanks in advance. 

[Marisawright]

The 457 no longer exists, it would be a 482 visa.  

Are you young enough to get a WHV (Working Holiday Visa)?   That would get you a year in Australia with work rights, or 2 years if you're willing to do some regional work (which might bring you up to the same period as her visa, they are usually either 2 or 4 years).

[Bloodr0se]

Thanks for your reply. Sadly I'm a few years past the age cap for a WHV and my background and skillset wouldn't really lend well to regional/manual work. 

[Marisawright]

If she's only going for the 2 year visa, and you're able to take some extended time off work, you could potentially spend several months of each year with her on tourist visas?

[Bloodr0se]

Well I'm an IT contractor by profession so that isn't entirely impossible however we were really hoping that we wouldn't have to separate.

If I were to go with her as a tourist would we then be able to claim that time towards any minimum requirements as a cohabiting partner and could she then sponsor me for temporary residency as her accompanying spouse? Or does an accompanying partner need to be declared at the point of her initial visa application?

She is looking to potentially make this a permanent move and given her profession (specialist doctor) I shouldn't imagine that would be impossible. 

Edited July 22, 2019 by Bloodr0se

[paulhand]

You do not necessarily need to have been cohabiting for a year to be added as a partner to a temporary work visa application. I think it would be useful for you to get some professional advice on the best options available to you. Does you partner not already have someone assisting her in her move?

[Bloodr0se]

29 minutes ago, paulhand said:

You do not necessarily need to have been cohabiting for a year to be added as a partner to a temporary work visa application. I think it would be useful for you to get some professional advice on the best options available to you. Does you partner not already have someone assisting her in her move?

No, she doesn't even have a confirmed job offer at the moment but this is just something that she has wanted to do for a very long time and she does have a professional contact network over there. We're not even entirely sure what state she will end up in at the moment however so far she has only been applying for jobs in WA as that's her first preference. 

I'm sure the hospital that does come up with an agreeable offer would be able to offer some advice but this is kind of a stress point between us atm so I said I'd try to find out whether or not it would even be possible at all.

[paulhand]

Understood - I suggest, in that case , that you both get some professional migration advice to make sure she is addressing this possible move in the most efficient manner and that you understand the various options available to you.

[Bloodr0se]

Thanks. I'll see what comes of her potential job offers over the next couple of months and then we can take it from there. I think I just wanted to find out if there were any options available at all really.