If you are in Australia and in a relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or Eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible to apply for a subclass 820 Temporary Partner Onshore/801 Permanent Partner visa with their sponsorship.
As part of the application process, you must be able to provide evidence demonstrating that:
- You are married or in a de facto relationship (including a formally registered relationship)
- Your relationship is genuine and continuing
- Your relationship is mutually exclusive
- You live together, or you do not live apart on a permanent basis.
In addition:
- The applicant will usually be granted a Bridging Visa A – if so you will have full work rights after your current visa expires
- The applicant will be eligible for Medicare as soon as the application has been lodged and a bridging visa is granted
- The applicant will be required to pass medicals
- Both the applicant and the sponsor will be required to provide police clearances.
In most cases, the temporary subclass 820 is granted initially with a waiting period before an application for the permanent subclass 801. However, if you are able to provide evidence that you have a ‘long-standing’ relationship, you may be able to request the direct grant of the permanent visa.
Key Information for Partner Visa Applicants
Evidence is required – Providing documentary evidence of a genuine and committed relationship is essential; a marriage or registration certificate on its own is not sufficient. Documents should cover the four areas of assessment, including financial, social, household, and future planning.
Including family – Dependent children can be included in the application, or added to an existing 820 Partner visa holder via a Subclass 445 Dependent Child visa
Same-sex couples – There are no differences between mixed-sex and same-sex couples under Australian immigration law.
Long-Standing relationships – Couples who have been in a de facto relationship and/or married for at least 3 years before applying, or those have been in a de facto relationship and/or married for at least 2 years before applying and have children together, can often be assessed for the permanent partner visa immediately after grant of the temporary visa.
Temporary Partner Visas – Subclass 820 Partner visa holders enjoy full work and study rights in Australia, with access to Medicare. The temporary visa will not cease until a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa.
Permanent Partner Visas – Upon grant of the Subclass 801 visa, the holder obtains permanent residency status, allowing them to remain in Australia indefinitely.
While the Department of Home Affairs can request extra documentation to support your claims, they do not have to, and can move to make a decision to refuse the visa. Therefore it is crucial to provide sufficient information to allow the decision maker to understand your relationship and to demonstrate that you meet all the requirements of the visa.
Having assisted with many successful Partner visa applications, our team can guide you through the process and advise on what you can do to ensure your visa application has the best possible outcome.
How much does a Partner visa cost?
As of 1 July 2025, the government application fees are as follows:
Visa Application – Main Applicant – $9,365
Visa Application – Dependent Applicant over 18yrs of age (each) – $4,685
Visa Application – Dependent Applicant under 18yrs of age (each) – $2,345
Sponsorship – nil
801 or 100 Second Stage Visa Application – nil
How long does a Partner visa take to process?
As of 6 March 2026, Immigration advises the current processing times are as follows:
| Application Type | 50% processed within | 90% processed within |
| 820 Partner (First Stage) | 18 months | 31 months |
| 801 Partner (Second Stage) | 8 months | 16 months |
Why Choose AVIE for Immigration Services?
Personalized Guidance – Every migration journey is unique, and we provide tailored advice to match your circumstances and goals.
Expert Problem-Solving – Our team has extensive experience handling complex visa situations and finding tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Dedicated Support – We intentionally cap our agents’ caseloads to ensure you receive the time, care, and dedication you deserve. You’re never just a number with us.
Avoid Mistakes – Avoid costly delays and reapplications—our expertise ensures visa applications are done right the first time.
Stress-Free Process – We handle the complexities of visa applications, so you can focus on planning your new life in Australia.
Related News
Love, Tradition, and Visas: How Partner Visas Work in Australia
Looking for a Change? Why More People Are Considering a Move to Australia
What Is a Bridging Visa in Australia?
Australian Partner Visa Documents for a Successful Application
Offshore Partner Visa (309/100) Applications: How to Apply and What You Need to Know
Diversity in Australian Relationships: Same-Sex, Arranged Marriages, and De Facto Partnerships
Australia’s Partner Visa Options: A Guide to Prospective Marriage, De Facto, and Spouse Visas
Key Evidence Required for a Partner Visa Application
FAQs
When will I be eligible for Medicare on a partner visa?
You can apply for Medicare once your partner visa onshore (subclass 820) application has been lodged and acknowledged, with a bridging visa granted. For the partner visa offshore (subclass 309), you can apply from the grant of your visa. You’ll need to provide your passport, the bridging visa A grant notice, and the acknowledgement of application from the Department of Home Affairs.
Can I work while my partner visa is being processed?
Yes, if you’re on a bridging visa A (after lodging a valid onshore partner visa), you’ll typically have full work rights.
Do we need to live together to apply for a partner visa?
Evidence of living together is required for Partner visa applications based on a de facto or married relationship. It may still be possible to apply if you are living apart temporarily for valid reasons (work, visa restrictions, etc).
What evidence do we need to prove our relationship is genuine?
You’ll need to show evidence across four key areas: financial, social, household, and the nature of your commitment. This can include joint bills, photos, travel, messages, and shared responsibilities.
Can I travel overseas while my partner visa is processing?
If you’re on a Bridging Visa A, you’ll need to apply for a Bridging Visa B before travelling to ensure you can return to Australia.
How long do we need to be in a relationship before applying?
For de facto couples, you typically need to have been in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months, unless you’re formally registered with an Australian State or Territory government.
There is no set length of time required for registered relationships or married couples, however, the longer you have been in a relationship, the better your evidence will likely be.
What happens if our relationship ends during the process?
You must inform the Department or your immigration agent immediately. In most cases, the visa will be refused or cancelled unless there are special circumstances, such as family violence or having children together.
Do we need to get married to apply for a partner visa?
No, you can apply as a de facto couple. Marriage is one pathway, but not a requirement as long as you meet the de facto criteria.