Finding your partner and building a life together is a wonderful journey. When one of you is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and the other is an offshore or onshore applicant, that journey often includes navigating the complexities of an Australian partner visa. It can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
This guide will demystify the process, explaining everything you need to know about the two-stage Partner visa pathway—the provisional Subclass 820 and the permanent Subclass 801. We’ll cover key requirements, costs, and common pitfalls, helping you feel confident about your application, whether you’re in India, China, Vietnam, or right here in Australia.
At a Glance: Subclass 820 vs. 801
| Visa Feature | A provisional visa that allows you to live in Australia temporarily while your permanent visa is processed. | Subclass (801) Permanent |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Provisional visa that allows you to live in Australia temporarily while your permanent visa is processed. | The permanent stage of the Partner visa pathway. |
| Who it’s for | For applicants who are in Australia when they lodge their application. | For holders of a Subclass 820 visa who have met the two-year waiting period. |
| Stage | Stage 1 (Initial application) | Stage 2 (Second stage application) |
| Work/Medicare | Full work rights and access to Medicare. | Full work rights and access to Medicare. |
| Travel | Can travel to and from Australia as often as you like. | Can travel to and from Australia as often as you like (with a 5-year travel facility). |
| Typical Timeline | Processing can take 12-26 months. | Processing can take 11-30 months (from when you become eligible to apply). |
What Are Subclass 820 & 801?
The Australian partner visa is a unique two-stage process. You apply for both the temporary (Subclass 820) and permanent (Subclass 801) visa at the same time, but they are processed in two separate stages.
Subclass 820 (Partner Visa): This is the provisional visa that is granted first. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs processes the permanent stage of your application. You can be granted this visa if you are in Australia when you lodge your application.
Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa): This is the second and final stage. Approximately two years after you lodge your initial application, the Department will invite you to submit updated evidence to confirm that your relationship is genuine and continuing. Once granted, the Subclass 801 visa allows you to live in Australia permanently.
This visa is for people in a genuine and committed relationship with their Australian partner. This includes married couples and de facto partners (including same-sex couples).
Eligibility & Key Requirements
Meeting the eligibility criteria is critical. The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application based on a number of factors, with the genuineness of your relationship being the most important.
Applicant & Sponsor Requirements
-
- Applicant: You must be the spouse or de facto partner of your sponsor. You must meet health and character requirements.
- Sponsor: Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. They must also meet character requirements and cannot have a history of previous visa sponsorship within certain timeframes.
Evidence of a Genuine and Continuing Relationship
This is the core of your application. The Department of Home Affairs will look at four main categories of evidence to assess your relationship. It is crucial to provide strong, consistent, and varied evidence across all four areas.
-
- Financial Aspects: Show that you and your partner share financial responsibilities. This can include:
- Joint bank account statements showing shared expenses.
- Joint mortgage, lease, or loan documents.
- Shared utility bills (electricity, internet, etc.).
- Evidence of joint assets like a car or property.
- Household Aspects: Demonstrate that you live together and share household duties.
- Joint lease agreements or ownership of property.
- Correspondence addressed to both of you at the same address.
- A statutory declaration explaining how you share chores and responsibilities.
- Social Aspects: Prove that your relationship is known and accepted by family and friends.
- Invitations to social events addressed to both of you.
- Statutory Declarations (Form 888) from Australian friends or family confirming your relationship.
- Joint membership in clubs or groups.
- Photos of you together at social events, holidays, and with family.
- Nature of Commitment: This category covers the emotional and long-term aspects of your relationship.
- Statutory declarations or personal statements from you and your partner detailing your relationship history, how you met, and your future plans.
- Evidence of communication when apart (e.g., chat logs, call history).
- Shared travel itineraries.
- Wills or other legal documents showing a commitment to each other.
- Financial Aspects: Show that you and your partner share financial responsibilities. This can include:
De Facto Relationship Requirements
If you are applying as a de facto couple (unmarried), you generally need to show that you have lived together for at least 12 months before you lodge your application.
Exemption: The 12-month rule can be waived if you have officially registered your relationship with a state or territory government authority in Australia. This is a popular option for couples who have not yet met the cohabitation requirement.
-
- States that offer relationship registration: ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, and VIC.
- Check with your state’s registry for specific requirements.
Documents Checklist
A well-organised, complete set of documents is a non-negotiable part of your application. Here’s a general checklist.
| Document Category | Examples/Evidence | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Valid passport, birth certificate, national ID card (for applicants from countries like China or India), recent passport-sized photos. | Applicant & Sponsor |
| Character | Police certificates for any country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years since turning 16. | Applicant & Sponsor |
| Relationship Evidence | As detailed above (financial, household, social, commitment). | Applicant & Sponsor |
| Health | Health examination results from a panel doctor. | Applicant & family members |
| Other Forms | Form 80 (Personal particulars for assessment), Form 40SP (Sponsorship for a partner to migrate to Australia). | Applicant & Sponsor |
Tip for applicants from India, China, or Southeast Asia: Ensure all documents not in English are translated by a professional, accredited translator.
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) is the gold standard in Australia.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The entire application is lodged online via the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal.
-
- Create Your ImmiAccount: Both the applicant and the sponsor need to have their own ImmiAccounts.
- Lodge the Sponsorship Application: The sponsor must lodge their part of the application first, as of a future government change.
- Lodge the Visa Application: The visa applicant then lodges their application, paying the visa application charge (VAC).
- Upload Documents: This is the most crucial step. Upload all your evidence, organised into clear, labelled categories.
- Health & Character Checks: Once requested, you and any dependent family members will need to complete health examinations and provide police certificates.
- Bridging Visa Grant: If you are in Australia on a valid temporary visa (e.g., a student or visitor visa), you will automatically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This visa comes into effect once your current visa expires.
- Subclass 820 Grant: The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application and, if successful, grant you the temporary Subclass 820 visa.
- Wait for 801 Eligibility: Approximately two years from the date you lodged your initial application, you will be eligible to apply for the permanent Subclass 801 visa.
- Lodge the 801 Application: The Department will send you an invitation to provide updated evidence of your continuing relationship. This is not a new application but a continuation of your initial one.
- Subclass 801 Grant: Once the Department is satisfied, your permanent visa will be granted.
Costs & Processing Times (2025)
Understanding the financial and time commitment is essential for planning your future.
Visa Application Charges (VAC)
As of July 1, 2025, the government has updated its visa fees. The application fee covers both the temporary (820) and permanent (801) stages.
| Applicant Type | Visa Application Charge (VAC) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant | AUD $9,365 |
| Additional Applicant (18+ years) | AUD $4,685 |
| Additional Applicant (under 18 years) | AUD $2,345 |
Note: You may be eligible for a reduced fee if you hold a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300). These fees are subject to change. Always check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.
Processing Times
Processing times for partner visas are notoriously long and can fluctuate. They are impacted by the number of applications, your country of origin, and the completeness of your application.
| Visa Subclass | 75% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
|---|---|---|
| 820 (Onshore) | 20 months | 27 months |
| 801 (Onshore) | 11 months | 19 months |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, indicative figures as of September 2025.
A complete, well-prepared application can significantly reduce your wait time.
Bridging Visas & Work/Medicare Rights (Onshore Applicants)
If you apply for an onshore partner visa (Subclass 820), you will typically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This visa allows you to stay in Australia lawfully while your application is processed.
-
- When does my BVA start? Your BVA will become active only when your current substantive visa (e.g., student, visitor, or work visa) expires.
- Work Rights: A BVA typically comes with full work rights. This means you can work for any employer and for unlimited hours once your BVA becomes active.
- Medicare: You are generally eligible for Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system) as soon as you have lodged your onshore partner visa application.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Failing to provide the right evidence or making a simple mistake can lead to a visa refusal.
-
- Weak Relationship Evidence: This is the most common reason for refusal. Don’t rely on just a few photos. Provide a variety of evidence across all four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment).
- Inconsistent Information: Ensure all dates and details across your forms, statements, and documents are consistent. Discrepancies are a major red flag for case officers.
- Failure to Notify the Department: You must inform the Department of Home Affairs of any changes in your circumstances, such as a change of address, getting married, or having a child.
- Missing or Late Documents: Submit all required documents with your initial application. A slow response to requests for more information can cause significant delays.
- Not Proving Cohabitation: For de facto couples, proving you lived together for 12 months is key. If you haven’t, ensure you have registered your relationship and include the certificate.
FAQs About the Partner Visa (Subclass 820 & 801)
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The Australian partner visa journey can be long and complex, with the rules changing frequently. Preparing a decision-ready application is the most effective way to avoid delays and give your relationship the best chance of success.
This is where VISALOOP can help. Our platform connects you with experienced, MARA-licensed migration agents who specialise in partner visas. They can provide:
-
- A tailored document and evidence plan to strengthen your application.
- Expert advice on navigating complex situations.
- End-to-end support, from initial consultation to final visa grant.
Speak to a MARA agent via VISALOOP today and get the expert support you need to build your life together in Australia.