Partner Visa
Introduction
Are you planning to build your life in Australia with your partner? Partner visas offer a solution for people who have married or entered committed relationships with Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. These visas help couples create their future together in Australia by providing a clear pathway from temporary to permanent residency. The visas reunite families and give partners complete freedom to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia. As immigration policies continue to evolve and requirements change in 2025, couples must understand the current Partner Visa process before they begin their Australian journey together.
Partner Visa subclass Overview
Australia offers two main Partner Visa pathways, depending on where you currently live. Onshore applications suit couples already in Australia, while offshore applications work for those living overseas. Each pathway has distinct advantages, processing times, and requirements that affect your application strategy.
| Feature | Onshore (820/801) | Offshore (309/100) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Location | Must be in Australia on a valid visa. | Must be outside Australia |
| Total Timeline | 20 -55 months | 23 Month |
| Work Rights | Full work rights immediately | Full Work rights upon visa granted |
| Medicare Access | Yes, from a temporary visa grant | Yes, from a temporary visa grant |
| Relationship Requirements | De facto: 12+ months OR long-term (2-3 years) | De facto: 12+ months cohabitation |
| Key Advantage | Stay together in Australia | Faster overall processing |
Eligibility Requirements for Partner Visa Australia
Age and Relationship Requirements:
- Both partners must be at least 18 years old
- Married or in a genuine de facto relationship
- Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- Marriage must be legally valid under Australian law
De Facto Relationship Requirements:
- Must have lived together for at least 12 months before applying
- The relationship must be genuine and continuing
- Evidence required across four key areas: financial, social, household, and commitment aspects
- Marriage must be legally valid under Australian law
Long-term Relationship Criteria:
For 820 partner visa applications, long-term relationships are defined as:
- At least 2 years duration with dependent children, or
- At least 3 years duration without children
Required Documents
Identity and Relationship Documents:
- Valid passports for both partners
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Divorce certificates from previous relationships
- Comprehensive relationship evidence
Health and Character Requirements:
- Health examinations from approved panel doctors
- Police clearances from all countries of residence (12+ months in the past 10 years)
- Character assessments for sponsors
Financial Evidence:
- Joint bank accounts and financial statements
- Shared assets and property documents
- Joint loan or mortgage agreements
- Shared insurance policies
Social Evidence:
- Photographs taken together over time
- Social media interactions
- Joint social activities and events
- Statutory declarations from family and friends
Household Evidence:
- Joint lease agreements or mortgage documents
- Shared utility bills
- Joint household purchases
- Proof of shared residence
Commitment Evidence:
- Plans documentation
- Wills naming each other as beneficiaries
- Joint travel bookings
- Correspondence and communication records
Application Process
Step-by-Step Overview
1
Preparation Phase
Ensure three-year provisional visa tenure and gather comprehensive documentation, including ATO notices and regional residence evidence.
2
Application Submission
Submit via the ImmiAccount system – applicants can be inside or outside Australia during the application and decision phases.
3
Assessment Process
Provide complete ATO assessment notices and detailed compliance evidence demonstrating continuous regional residence.
Processing Time & Costs
AUD $9,095
Main Application Fee (covers temporary and permanent visas)
Additional Fees:
• Medical exams: ~$350 per adult, $300 per child
• Police checks: $42 (Australia), $10-120 (overseas)
• Children’s fees: $4,550 (over 18), $2,280 (under 18)
Processing Times:
• Temporary visa: 12-18 months
• Permanent visa: 12-24 months
• Total timeline: 20-55 months
Tips for faster processing:
- Submit all required documents and information accurately
- Apply through the ImmiAccount online system
Additional fees
Medical exams
approx.
AUD $350 per adult
approx.
AUD $300 per child
Children’s fees
AUD $4,550 (over 18)
AUD $2,280 (under 18)
Processing timeframes: 50% of applications processed within 56 days, 90% processed within 90 days, representing approximately 2-3 months average processing time.
Additional costs: Health examinations, police clearances, document translation services, and potential second instalment charges.
Processing time
Temporary Visa
12 to 18 months
Permanent visa
12 to 24 months
Tips for fast Processing:
- Submit all required documents and information accurately
- Apply through the ImmiAccount online system
Note:
Visa application charges are expected to increase from July 1, 2025
Conclusion
Partner visas offer couples the opportunity to build their future together in Australia, providing full work rights, Medicare access, and a pathway to permanent residency. Success requires thorough preparation, genuine relationship evidence across four key areas, and meeting all eligibility requirements throughout the two-stage assessment process.
Given the complexity of documentation, processing times of 20-55 months, and application fees exceeding $9,000, professional guidance can significantly improve your success rate. Ready to start your Australian journey together?
Contact SBS Consultant today for expert migration advice and personalised assistance with your partner visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both temporary and permanent partner visas provide full work rights with no restrictions on employment type or hours.
For de facto relationships, you must have lived together for at least 12 months before applying. Married couples have no minimum duration requirement.
Yes, dependent children can be included as secondary applicants, provided they meet age and dependency requirements.
If your relationship ends genuinely after the temporary visa is granted but before the permanent stage, you may still be eligible for the permanent visa in certain circumstances.
Yes, partner visa holders have access to Medicare benefits and Australia's public healthcare system from the time their temporary visa is granted.
Partner visa: Everything you need to know
If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a partner visa. This visa allows you to live in Australia with your partner.
There are two main types of partner visas:
- Onshore partner visa (subclass 820/801): This visa is for people who are in Australia when they apply.
- Offshore partner visa (subclass 309/100): This visa is for people who are outside Australia when they apply.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a partner visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be in a genuine and continuing relationship with your partner.
- You must meet the health and character requirements.
- You must meet the financial requirements.
Evidence of relationship
When you apply for a partner visa, you will need to provide evidence of your relationship with your partner. This evidence can include:
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint leases or mortgages
- Shared household expenses
- Photographs of the two of you together
- Statutory declarations from friends and family members
Financial requirements
If you are applying for an onshore partner visa, you will need to meet the financial requirements. This means that you must have enough money to support yourself and your partner while you are waiting for your visa to be processed.
If you are applying for an offshore partner visa, you will need to meet the financial requirements if you are sponsored by a partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This means that your partner must have enough money to support you and your partner while you are waiting for your visa to be processed.
Application process
The application process for a partner visa can be complex, so it is important to seek professional advice from a registered migration agent.
To apply for a partner visa, you will need to create an ImmiAccount and submit an online application form. You will also need to provide a range of supporting documentation, such as your passport, birth certificate, and evidence of your relationship with your partner.
Processing times
The processing times for partner visas can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of visa you are applying for and the complexity of your application.