[CCMS]

I had 3 month single entry visa and had said I plan on staying 5weeks but stayed 9.

-is this seen as a bad thing?

If you had a 3 month visa, you would be allowed to stay up to 3 months, no matter what your original intentions were.

The issue they are raising is that you are seeking de-facto residence in Australia on a tourist visa to be with your partner and therefore cannot be considered to be a Genuine Visitor. Hence the advice to apply for a partner visa.

It is not uncommon that people get told this when trying to re-enter Australia on multiple entry tourist visas.