The Australian Partner visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live together in Australia—usually moving from a temporary visa to permanent residency. You can apply while you’re in Australia (onshore) or from overseas (offshore), and engaged couples may use the Prospective Marriage route to enter Australia and then apply after the wedding. In short, it’s the visa that recognizes genuine relationships—married, de facto, or fiancé—and provides a pathway to build your life in Australia together.

In this guide, you’ll learn what the Partner visa is and how it works, who can apply and who can sponsor, the two-stage process, and how to choose between onshore and offshore pathways. We’ll cover realistic costs and processing times, the relationship evidence you need, and a simple step-by-step to lodge online via ImmiAccount. You’ll also find key requirements (health, character, biometrics), work and Medicare rights while you wait, how to include children, important exemptions and risk areas, what to do if circumstances change, and your review options if refused. Let’s begin with the available pathways.

What the Australian Partner visa is (onshore, offshore and fiancé pathways)

Australia’s Partner visa has three pathways: onshore (subclass 820 → 801) if you apply while in Australia; offshore (subclass 309 → 100) if you apply from overseas; and the fiancé route via the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) lodged offshore, valid for 9 months to enter and marry, then transition to the onshore 820/801 pathway.

Who is eligible to apply (spouse, de facto and fiancé)

You’re eligible for the Australian Partner visa if you are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or a fiancé(e). Married or de facto couples must show a genuine and continuing relationship and cohabitation (not living apart permanently). De facto couples usually need 12 months together unless your relationship is state-registered. Fiancé(e)s must apply offshore, have met in person, be free to marry, and marry within the visa’s 9‑month window.

Who can sponsor you and sponsorship limits

For the Australian Partner visa, your sponsor must be your spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. If the sponsor is under 18, a parent/guardian can sponsor. Limits can apply if they’ve previously sponsored or been sponsored, hold certain visas (e.g., Woman at Risk, Contributory Parent), or have certain offences. In some cases, these limits can be waived.

The two-stage process: temporary to permanent (subclasses 820/801 and 309/100)

The Australian Partner visa is a two-step pathway. First, you’re assessed for a temporary partner visa—either subclass 820 if you applied onshore or subclass 309 if you applied offshore. You’ll then be reassessed for the permanent stage—subclass 801 (onshore pathway) or subclass 100 (offshore pathway)—usually more than two years after your application, with updated relationship evidence. In some cases, you may be granted the permanent stage without waiting two years if, at lodgment, you’d been in the relationship for three years, or for two years if you also have a dependent child together.

Stage 1: Temporary Partner visa (820 or 309)
Stage 2: Permanent Partner visa (801 or 100)
Earlier grant possible: Long-term relationship or dependent child at application

Onshore vs offshore applications: which path fits your situation

Choosing between onshore (820/801) and offshore (309/100) depends on where you are and your current visa conditions. If you’re in Australia and eligible, the onshore route lets you stay on a bridging visa while your case is assessed. If you’re overseas, you must use the offshore path. Onshore isn’t always faster—many 309s finish in 9–13 months, while 820s can take up to 26 months.

8503 no further stay: Usually forces an offshore application unless waived.
Engaged and offshore: Consider the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300), then transition to 820/801 after marrying.

Costs and fees you should budget for (VAC, medicals, police checks)

Before you lodge an Australian partners visa, plan your budget. The biggest cost is the government Visa Application Charge (VAC) at lodgment, which changes periodically and differs by pathway. There’s also an extra charge if you include a child or other dependent. Beyond the VAC, expect several out-of-pocket items.

VAC (government fee): Payable when you apply; amounts change.
Adding dependents: Extra charge per child/dependent.
Health examinations: Panel-doctor medicals for all applicants.
Police checks: From every country where you’ve lived, as required.
Biometrics (if requested): Capture fee at an authorized center.
Document prep: Translations, certifications, passport photos.
Optional professional help: Migration agent or lawyer fees.

Current processing times and what can speed up or delay a decision

Current averages (not guarantees) for Australian Partner visa processing: 309 temporary 9–13 months, 100 permanent 13–32 months; 820 temporary 12–26 months, 801 permanent 11–30 months; Prospective Marriage 300 takes about 12–26 months. Onshore isn’t automatically faster; offshore 309s can be finalized sooner than 820s when the file is strong and complete.

Complete lodgment: Front‑load healths, police checks, and Form 888s; label uploads clearly.
Consistent relationship evidence: No gaps or contradictions across financial, household, social, and commitment proof.
Respond fast: Check ImmiAccount weekly and answer requests within days.
Complex histories slow cases: Prior refusals/cancellations, extensive travel, character or health issues trigger extra checks.
No paid priority: You can’t buy faster processing; quality and readiness drive speed.

Documents and relationship evidence checklist

Strong, well‑organized documents are the fastest way to prove your relationship is genuine for an Australian partners visa. Provide detailed evidence across the four pillars the Department assesses—financial, household, social, and commitment—plus clear identity, sponsor, and character documents.

Identity: Certified copies of your passport and birth certificate.
Sponsor evidence: Sponsor’s passport/birth certificate and proof of Australian citizenship/PR/eligible NZ status.
Relationship statements: Personal statements from both partners; at least two Form 888s from Australian citizens/PRs.
Financial: Joint bank statements, shared bills, joint assets/liabilities, evidence of shared expenses.
Household: Lease/mortgage, mail to the same address, how you share domestic duties, childcare arrangements.
Social: Photos together, joint travel, invitations, memberships, statements from friends/family.
Commitment: Timeline of the relationship, long‑term plans, evidence of ongoing communication when apart.
De facto proof: 12 months’ cohabitation or state/territory relationship registration (if applicable).
Children (if included): Birth certificates, Form 1229 where required, proof of dependency.
Character and health: Required police checks and completed medicals; biometrics if requested.

Step-by-step: how to apply online via ImmiAccount

Most Partner and Prospective Marriage applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount. Have your passports, relationship evidence and payment method ready. You can keep adding evidence until a decision, but submitting a complete, clearly labeled file at lodgment usually speeds things up.

Create an ImmiAccount and sign in.
Start a new application: Family → “Stage 1 – Partner or Prospective Marriage visa (300, 309/100, 820/801)”.
Select the correct pathway (onshore 820/801, offshore 309/100, or Prospective Marriage 300).
Complete all questions accurately; save drafts as you go.
Pay the Visa Application Charge to submit.
Upload documents: identity, sponsor’s citizenship/PR proof, both partners’ statements, at least two Form 888s, and financial/household/social/commitment evidence. Add police checks and children’s documents if applicable.
Arrange health examinations when requested (or early, if appropriate).
Monitor ImmiAccount weekly and respond quickly to any requests or biometrics.
Keep your evidence current by uploading new joint bills, leases, and travel records.

Health, character and biometrics requirements

All applicants for an Australian partners visa must satisfy health, character and (if requested) biometrics checks. Expect a panel‑doctor medical exam for each applicant, police certificates from every country you’ve lived in, and fingerprints/face photos if asked. Disclose medical history and convictions fully—gaps, mismatches or missing clearances can pause assessment until resolved.

Work, Medicare and travel rights while you wait (bridging visas)

If you lodge an onshore Partner (820) application, you’re typically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that lets you remain in Australia while the case is assessed. According to current guidance, most applicants can continue to work during this period. Travel and Medicare access depend on your specific visa conditions and pathway, so always check your ImmiAccount and official notices.

Work: On a BVA, you can generally work while your onshore application is processed.
Medicare: Eligibility varies; confirm with Services Australia using your lodgment details.
Travel: Check your bridging visa conditions before leaving Australia; obtain the appropriate travel permission first to avoid issues returning.

Including children and other dependents in your application

You can include a child or step‑child if they’re not married, engaged or in a de facto relationship. Under‑18s qualify; 18+ must be financially dependent for 12+ months or incapacitated for work, and remain dependent until decision. Provide birth certificates and, where required, Form 1229. If you hold/held a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300), adding a dependent child may be possible.

Special cases and exemptions to know (8503, Schedule 3, family violence)

Some situations trigger special rules on an Australian partners visa. The big three: Condition 8503 (No Further Stay), Schedule 3 for applicants without a substantive visa, and the family violence provisions that can preserve eligibility after separation. Know them early to avoid avoidable refusals.

Condition 8503: If you held 8503 since last entry, you can’t lodge onshore; limited waivers may apply.
Schedule 3: If you lack a substantive visa or are late, show beyond‑control factors and compelling reasons (e.g., citizen children, maternity, sponsor welfare, war/violence).
Family violence: If the relationship ends due to family violence, you may still be eligible; notify Home Affairs and seek advice.

If your situation changes after lodgement (pregnancy, separation, travel)

If your situation changes after lodgement, tell Home Affairs. For pregnancy or a baby, notify the Department and, if the child will migrate, add them with the birth certificate and consent (e.g., Form 1229). If you separate, report it; your application may be refused unless family violence or child‑related exemptions apply. Before travel, check bridging‑visa conditions and secure permission to avoid re‑entry issues or delays.

If your application is refused: review options and deadlines

A refusal isn’t the end, but acting quickly is critical. Many applicants can seek a merits review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), however strict filing deadlines apply and are based on the date and method of notification. The refusal letter states whether review is available, who can apply, where to lodge, and by when.

Read the reasons: Identify gaps or inconsistencies you can fix with stronger evidence.
Check review rights: If eligible, lodge at the AAT before the deadline; you can submit new evidence.
Consider legal advice: Complex issues (Schedule 3, character, health) benefit from professional help.
No merits review? Judicial review may be possible only for legal error, not to re-argue facts.

Common mistakes to avoid and expert tips for a stronger application

Small errors can trigger long delays or refusals on an Australian partners visa. Your goal is a complete, consistent, well‑organized file that answers the Department’s four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment) without contradictions. Prepare early, upload clearly labeled evidence, and keep updating your ImmiAccount as the relationship progresses.

Don’t rely on photos only: Balance evidence across all four pillars.
Avoid inconsistencies: Addresses, dates, bills, and statements must align.
Front‑load key checks: Police certificates, Form 888s, and healths when appropriate.
Watch the rules: De facto 12 months or registered relationship; 8503 and Schedule 3 risks.
Stay responsive: Monitor ImmiAccount weekly and answer requests fast.

When to seek help from a registered migration agent

Get professional help if your case isn’t straightforward: 8503 “no further stay,” no substantive visa/Schedule 3 risks, prior refusals or cancellations, character or health issues, de facto under 12 months (and not state‑registered), child consent/adding dependents, family violence, or confusion over onshore/offshore pathways and bridging/travel conditions. A registered migration agent can assess eligibility, prepare waivers/submissions, structure evidence, and manage AAT review deadlines.

Conclusion

If your goal is to build your life together in Australia, the Partner visa gives you a clear map: choose the right pathway (onshore, offshore, or fiancé), lodge a complete, consistent file, and keep your evidence growing while the case is assessed. You now know the two stages to permanent residency, the real costs to budget for, typical processing times, the four pillars of relationship proof, how to apply via ImmiAccount, and the key requirements for health, character, dependents, bridging rights, and special circumstances.

If you’re ready to start—or your case has risks like 8503, Schedule 3, prior refusals, or limited de facto evidence—get it right the first time. Speak with a registered migration agent at Simon Mander Consulting P/L for a tailored eligibility check, document strategy, and a filing plan that speeds decisions and avoids avoidable refusals.

Australian Partners Visa: What It Is, Costs & How To Apply