The Australia Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 and 309/100) allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It’s one of the most common family visa pathways and leads to permanent residency.
What is the Australia Partner Visa?
The partner visa comes in two forms depending on where you apply. If you’re in Australia, you apply for the 820 (temporary) which transitions to the 801 (permanent). If you’re offshore, you apply for the 309 (provisional) leading to the 100 (permanent). Both paths eventually lead to full permanent residency.
💍For Partners
Married spouses or genuine de facto couples
🏠Leads to PR
820→801 or 309→100 pathway to permanent residency
💼Work Rights
Full work rights while visa is being processed
📚Study Rights
Access to public education and Medicare (if eligible)
Eligibility Requirements
- ✅ Be in a genuine married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
- ✅ Relationship must be genuine, ongoing, exclusive, and committed
- ✅ De facto couples must have been in the relationship for at least 12 months (unless registered relationship or have children together)
- ✅ Both applicant and sponsor must be at least 18 years old
- ✅ Sponsor must be eligible (not already sponsoring a partner, or limited re-applications)
- ✅ Good health and character requirements
- ✅ Not be in a third-party relationship arrangement
Application Process (Onshore — 820/801)
01
Prepare Evidence of Genuine Relationship
Gather strong evidence: joint bank accounts, shared lease/mortgage, photos together, travel history together, statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple, communication records.
02
Sponsor Application
Your Australian partner lodges a sponsorship application simultaneously with your visa application. Both are submitted together.
03
Lodge 820 Visa Application
Submit your visa application with all evidence. You must be physically in Australia when you lodge. You receive a bridging visa immediately, allowing you to remain and work.
04
Health & Police Checks
Complete your medical examination with an approved panel physician. Provide police clearance certificates from each country you’ve lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
05
820 Visa Granted (Temporary)
If the relationship is less than 2 years old (or you have no children together), the 820 temporary visa is granted first. You can live and work in Australia while awaiting the permanent stage.
06
801 Permanent Visa Granted
After 2 years from lodging the application, Home Affairs assesses you for the permanent 801 visa. You’ll need to show your relationship is still genuine and ongoing.
Key Documents Needed
- 📄 Australian partner’s citizenship/PR documents
- 📄 Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship
- 📄 Joint financial evidence (bank statements, joint accounts)
- 📄 Joint utility bills, lease, or mortgage documents
- 📄 Photos together (holidays, events, family gatherings)
- 📄 Statutory declarations from friends/family
- 📄 Communication records (messages, emails, call logs)
- 📄 Health examination results
- 📄 Police clearance certificates
- 📄 Birth certificates for both parties
Processing Time & Cost
Processing Time
820 (temp) stage: 12–24 months
801 (permanent): assessed after 2 years from lodgement
Visa Fee (2024–25)
820/801: AUD $8,850
309/100: AUD $8,850
(one fee covers both stages)
Important Note
You pay one fee for both the temporary and permanent visa — no extra cost at the permanent stage
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be married to apply for a partner visa?
No. You can apply as a de facto couple if you have been living together in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months. If you have a registered relationship (registered under state/territory law) or have children together, the 12-month requirement may be waived.
What is the difference between an 820 and 801 visa?
They are two stages of the same application. The 820 is temporary and granted first (if your relationship is less than 2 years old). After 2 years from lodging, it progresses to the 801 permanent visa — provided the relationship continues to be genuine.
Can I work in Australia while waiting for my partner visa?
Yes. When you lodge the 820 visa application while in Australia, you are immediately granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) which allows you to remain in Australia and work full-time.
What if my relationship breaks down before the permanent visa is granted?
If the relationship ends before the 801 is granted, you will generally not receive permanent residency (unless family violence occurred, or you have custody of Australian citizen children). It’s important to notify the Department of Home Affairs.
Can same-sex couples apply for the partner visa?
Yes. Australia’s partner visa is open to all couples regardless of gender. Same-sex marriages conducted overseas are also recognised as marriages for Australian partner visa purposes.
How can I strengthen my partner visa application?
The key is evidence of a genuine, ongoing relationship. Provide evidence across four categories: financial (joint accounts, shared expenses), social (photos, invitations as a couple), household (shared lease/utilities), and commitment (statutory declarations, future plans). Weak applications are the #1 cause of refusals — our agents review every application thoroughly.
Build Your Life Together in Australia
Partner visa applications involve significant paperwork and genuine evidence requirements. Let our experts handle the process so your application gives you the best chance of success.
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