The Australian Partner visa is the pathway for spouses, de facto partners, and prospective marriage partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents. It’s one of the most common visa categories — and also one of the most expensive and time-consuming. The process typically involves a two-stage application: a temporary visa followed by a permanent visa, with the entire journey taking 2+ years. But for couples in genuine, committed relationships, it provides a clear and reliable route to permanent residency.
Not sure if the Partner visa is right for you? Take our 2-minute Australia Visa Match quiz to see all Australian immigration routes you qualify for.
Overview
There are several Partner visa sub-categories:
- Subclass 820/801 (onshore): Apply while you’re already in Australia. 820 is the temporary stage; 801 is the permanent stage.
- Subclass 309/100 (offshore): Apply from outside Australia. 309 is the temporary stage; 100 is the permanent stage.
- Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage): For fiancé(e)s who intend to marry their Australian partner within 9 months of arriving.
For couples who have been in a relationship for 3+ years (or 2+ years with children), it may be possible to skip the temporary stage and receive permanent residency directly.
Eligibility Requirements
- Genuine relationship: You must be in a genuine, ongoing relationship with your Australian sponsor. This is the most heavily scrutinized element of the application.
- Relationship type: Legally married, in a registered de facto relationship, or in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months.
- Sponsor eligibility: Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. They must not have sponsored more than one partner previously (lifetime limit of 2 sponsorships, with a minimum 5-year gap).
- Health and character: Both applicant and sponsor must meet health and character requirements.
- No age limit, no English requirement, no points test.
Evidence of a Genuine Relationship
The Department of Home Affairs evaluates four aspects:
- Financial: Joint bank accounts, shared expenses, joint property, shared financial responsibilities.
- Household: Living together, sharing domestic duties, joint lease or mortgage.
- Social: Being recognized as a couple by family and friends, attending events together, social media presence, joint memberships.
- Commitment: Length of relationship, knowledge of each other’s backgrounds, future plans, combined wills or beneficiary designations.
You should provide evidence across all four categories. Statutory declarations from two witnesses (who are Australian citizens or PRs and know your relationship personally) are also required.
Application Process
- Gather relationship evidence across all four categories. The more comprehensive, the better.
- Sponsor lodges sponsorship approval. Your Australian partner must be approved as a sponsor.
- Lodge the visa application (either onshore 820 or offshore 309).
- Receive bridging visa (if onshore): While your application is processed, you receive a Bridging Visa A with work rights.
- Temporary visa grant: After initial assessment, you receive the temporary Partner visa (820 or 309).
- 2-year waiting period: The relationship is monitored for genuineness. After approximately 2 years from the application date, you’re invited to provide updated evidence.
- Permanent visa grant: After providing updated relationship evidence, you receive the permanent visa (801 or 100).
Costs and Fees
- Visa application fee: AUD $8,850 (covers both temporary and permanent stages)
- Additional applicant (18+): AUD $4,430
- Additional applicant (under 18): AUD $2,215
- Health examinations: AUD $300-$500 per person
- Police clearances: AUD $50-$200 per country
- Migration agent fees (optional): AUD $3,000-$8,000
Total for main applicant: approximately AUD $9,500-$17,000+. The Partner visa is one of the most expensive visa categories in the world.
Timeline
- Application preparation: 2-8 weeks
- Temporary visa processing: 12-28 months (current average processing times)
- Waiting period for permanent stage: 2 years from application date
- Permanent visa processing: 6-18 months after the 2-year mark
- Total to permanent residency: Approximately 3-4 years
Tips for a Strong Application
- Start collecting evidence early. From the moment you begin your relationship, save photos, messages, travel records, and shared financial documents.
- Quality over quantity for photos. Include photos spanning the entire relationship showing you in different settings — not just wedding photos.
- Joint finances are powerful evidence. Open a joint bank account, add each other to leases or utility bills, and make shared financial commitments.
- Statutory declarations matter. Choose witnesses who genuinely know your relationship well and can provide specific, detailed accounts.
- Be honest about challenges. If you had periods of living apart (e.g., due to visa status), explain why. Caseworkers understand that immigration itself creates relationship complications.
- Keep communicating during the wait. The 2-year waiting period exists specifically to verify your relationship continues. Maintain and document your relationship throughout.
Common Mistakes
- Insufficient evidence of cohabitation: Living together is expected for de facto relationships. If you can’t show 12 months of cohabitation, register your relationship to satisfy the requirement.
- One-dimensional evidence: Submitting only financial evidence but no social or commitment evidence. Cover all four categories.
- Sponsor issues: If your sponsor has previously sponsored a partner, there are restrictions. Check eligibility before applying.