Your pathway to living with your partner in Australia — onshore, offshore, or engaged. We guide you through every step.
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Partner visa fees are non-refundable. A 45-minute consultation before you lodge could save you thousands.
A Partner Visa Australia lets the spouse, de facto partner, or fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. It is part of Australia’s Family Stream migration program and is one of the most in-demand visa categories — with over 40,000 partner visas granted in the 2023–24 financial year.
The visa focuses entirely on your relationship. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship is genuine and continuing — not your occupation, points score, or employer. Getting the evidence right is what determines the outcome.
Most partner visa pathways work in two stages. You receive a provisional visa first. Then, approximately two years later, the Department assesses whether your relationship is still genuine before granting permanent residence. Both stages are lodged as one combined application, and there is no second government fee for Stage 2.
Government fees are non-refundable — even if your application is refused. Understanding which visa applies to your situation before you lodge is the most important step you can take.
Australia offers multiple partner visa pathways. The right one depends on where your partner is right now, whether you are married or in a de facto relationship, and whether you are engaged but not yet married.
For couples where the visa applicant is already inside Australia on a valid visa at the time of lodging. This is the most commonly used partner visa pathway.
For couples where the visa applicant is living overseas. Once the provisional visa, Subclass 309, is granted, your partner can travel to Australia and live with you.
For engaged couples who are not yet married. Your partner enters Australia once the Subclass 300 is approved, you marry within the validity period, then lodge the onshore partner visa together.
Australian migration law fully recognises same-sex relationships. LGBTIQ+ couples apply through the same partner visa pathways as all other couples — same requirements, same fees, same process.
For non-New Zealand family members of eligible New Zealand citizens in Australia. This is a separate visa category to the standard partner visa pathways.
If your relationship ends due to family violence after you have lodged your partner visa, you may still be eligible for permanent residence. You should not be left without a visa because of abuse.
Visa Subclass | Applicant Location | Relationship Type | Temp Visa | Perm Visa | Work Rights | Medicare |
820 / 801 | In Australia | Married or de facto | 820 | 801 (~2 yrs) | Yes | Yes (from lodgement) |
309 / 100 | Outside Australia | Married or de facto | 309 | 100 (~2 yrs) | Yes | Yes (on arrival) |
300 | Outside Australia | Engaged (not married) | 300 | Apply for 820/801 after marriage | Yes | No |
461 | In or outside AU | NZ citizen family member | 461 (5 yrs) | No direct PR path | Yes | Check conditions |
Family Violence | In Australia | Eligible after lodging onshore partner visa, should family violence occur | 820 or 309 | Yes — eligible for PR | Yes | Yes |
The core eligibility criteria are consistent across all partner visa pathways, though some requirements differ by subclass. Understanding these before you start gathering documents saves significant time and avoids wasted costs.
Visa Applicant Must:
Australian Sponsor Must:
To qualify as a de facto couple, you generally need to have been in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months before lodging. A de facto relationship means a committed, exclusive relationship where you live together and share your lives as a couple — similar to a marriage in practical terms.
Exceptions to the 12-month de facto requirement:
NOTE: Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not offer relationship registration. If you live in WA or NT with less than 12 months of de facto relationship history, you will need to either marry before applying or present very strong evidence of your de facto relationship.
The partner visa is one of the most expensive visa applications in Australia. Planning your budget in advance — including all associated costs, not just the government fee — avoids unwelcome surprises.
All government fee figures below are based on the 2025–26 Department of Home Affairs schedule. Government fees increase on 1 July each year. Always confirm the current fee at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or contact us before lodging. Fees are non-refundable even if the visa is refused or withdrawn.
Applicant | Subclass 820/801 | Subclass 309/100 | Subclass 300 |
Primary applicant | AUD $9,365 | AUD $9,365 | AUD $9,365 |
Additional adult (18+) | AUD $4,685 | AUD $4,685 | AUD $4,685 |
Additional child (under 18) | AUD $2,345 | AUD $2,345 | AUD $2,345 |
Credit card surcharge | ~$131 (1.4% of $9,365) | ~$131 (1.4% of $9,365) | ~$131 (1.4% of $9,365) |
Stage 2 government fee | No additional fee | No additional fee | Reduced fee when lodging 820/801 |
Cost Item | Estimated Cost (AUD) | Notes |
Government application fee (primary applicant) | ~$9,365 | Non-refundable. Covers both Stage 1 and Stage 2. |
Additional adult applicant | ~$4,685 per person | Non-refundable per included adult. |
Additional child (under 18) | ~$2,345 per child | Non-refundable. Required even for non-applying children. |
Medical examination — adult | ~$350–$500 per person | BUPA Medical Visa Services or approved panel physician. |
Medical examination — child | ~$250–$350 per child | Required for children included in the application. |
Police clearance certificates | ~$50–$200 per country | Required per country lived in 12+ months since age 16. |
Biometrics collection | ~$55–$90 per person | Required for some nationalities and locations. |
NAATI-certified document translation | ~$80–$200 per document | Any document not in English must be NAATI-certified. |
Relationship registration (state-based) | Varies by state | If registering a de facto relationship before applying. |
MARA-registered migration agent fees – please check with us for our competitive quote | ~$3,000– $6,000+ | Optional but strongly recommended. Varies by case complexity. |
Total estimated cost — typical single-applicant case:
AUD $12,000–$16,000 including all disbursements and professional fees. Multi-person applications or complex cases will cost more.
All payments to the Department of Home Affairs are made online via ImmiAccount. A 1.4% credit card surcharge applies to credit card payments.
Partner visa processing times are among the longest in the Australian migration program. The Department of Home Affairs updates its published processing data monthly. The figures below reflect publicly available information current as at early 2026.
Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. Your individual processing time depends on application completeness, the volume of applications in the queue, health and character check outcomes, and whether the Department issues a Request for Further Information (RFI).
Visa Subclass | Stage | Estimated Processing Time |
Subclass 820 — Onshore Temporary | Stage 1 | Median ~17 months (range: 12–24+ months) |
Subclass 801 — Onshore Permanent | Stage 2 | Assessed approximately 6 months after lodgement |
Subclass 309 — Offshore Provisional | Stage 1 | Approximately 12–24 months (varies by country of lodgement) |
Subclass 100 — Offshore Permanent | Stage 2 | Assessed approximately 6 months of lodgement |
Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage | Single stage | Approximately 12–24 months |
Subclass 461 — NZ Family | Single stage | 2 – 6 months |
Missing documents are the number one cause of avoidable delays. A decision-ready application is always faster.
Some countries take 6–8 weeks or more to issue clearances. Apply for all of them at once, early.
Processing volume fluctuates throughout the year based on staffing and application intake.
Follow-up tests (e.g. for tuberculosis) pause processing until complete. Book your medical exam early.
Slow responses to Requests for Further Information can add months. Respond well within the given timeframe.
Long-distance relationships, prior visa refusals, or character issues require deeper assessment.
For most applicants, there is no way to pay for faster processing. The Department may give priority consideration in compelling and compassionate circumstances — for example, a medical emergency or pregnancy — but this is not guaranteed. The most effective strategy is to lodge a complete, well-prepared, decision-ready application from day one and keep adding evidence.
Every document requested by the Department after lodgement adds weeks or months to your wait. Work with a registered migration agent to lodge right the first time. → Book a consultation: +61 2 9411 6000 or book online www.australiamigrate.com
The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four categories. A strong application provides multiple pieces of evidence in every category — not just one or two documents. The more varied and detailed your evidence, the clearer it is that your relationship is genuine.
The Four Evidence Categories
Form 888 statutory declarations must be signed in front of a person authorised to witness statutory declarations — a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, or registered migration agent. Unwitnessed declarations may be disregarded by the Department
Partner visa applications are complex. Inconsistencies in your information and documents, missing pieces of evidence, or overlooked requirement can lead to a Request for Further Information — adding months to your wait. Or worse, a refusal and a lost non-refundable government fee.
Our MARA-registered migration agents take the guesswork out of the process. We assess your eligibility, identify the right pathway, build your evidence package, review everything for consistency, and manage and support your application from lodgement to permanent visa grant.
We assess your relationship, location, visa history, and circumstances to confirm which visa subclass applies — before you pay any government fees.
We identify the most efficient route to permanent residence for your specific situation — including advice on timing, evidence gaps, and any complex issues to address.
We guide you through gathering documents across all four evidence categories and help you prepare a complete, consistent relationship statement.
Every document is reviewed for completeness and consistency before lodgement. We check for anything that could raise concerns with a case officer.
We manage the technical lodgement process via ImmiAccount, ensure the correct forms are completed, and confirm the correct government fee is paid.
We monitor your application, respond to any Requests for Further Information, and keep you updated throughout the processing period.
Approximately two years after lodgement, we help you prepare updated relationship evidence for the permanent visa assessment and guide you through to grant.
Book a consultation with our registered migration agents. We assess your situation, recommend the right pathway, and give you a clear plan before you lodge.
These are the mistakes that cause the most refusals, delays, and Requests for Further Information. Knowing them in advance protects your application and your money.
Mistake | What Goes Wrong | How to Avoid It |
Thin relationship evidence | One or two documents per category does not satisfy a case officer that the relationship is genuine. | Build a comprehensive evidence package across all four categories with varied, authentic documents spanning the full history of the relationship. |
Inconsistent statements | If you say you met in June 2022 and your sponsor says July 2022, the case officer flags it immediately. | Review every statement, form, and declaration together before submitting. Cross-check dates, locations, and key details. |
Hiding relevant information | Non-disclosure of criminal convictions, prior visa refusals, or separation periods is treated as dishonesty. The Department runs data matching and checks social media. | Disclose everything relevant and seek professional advice on how to address it. Transparency is always the right approach. |
Wrong subclass | Applying offshore when you are in Australia — or vice versa — results in an invalid application and a lost government fee. | Confirm your correct subclass with a migration agent before lodging. This is not a paperwork detail; it determines your entire pathway. |
8503 visa condition (no further stay) | Lodging an onshore application while on a visa with this restriction results in rejection. | Check your current visa conditions before lodging. A waiver may be needed — seek advice immediately. |
Uncertified translations | Documents not in English must be translated by a NAATI-certified translator. Online tools and bilingual friends are not accepted. | Use only NAATI-accredited translators for every non-English document in your application. |
Stale or outdated contact details | If you move house during processing and do not update the Department, a change of address raises flags that the relationship has ended. | Update ImmiAccount immediately if your address, phone number, or email changes during the processing period. |
Rushed or vague relationship statement | A brief or generic statement gives the case officer very little to work with. It makes the relationship look unconvincing. | Write a detailed, personal relationship history covering how you met, how the relationship developed, and your future plans together. Take the time to do it properly. |
Provisionally on Subclass 820/309. Indefinitely once the permanent stage is granted.
Enrol in any Australian education institution on both temporary and permanent partner visas.
Travel in and out of Australia during the processing period. Check travel facility expiry dates.
Full, unrestricted work rights for any employer from the date of application (820/309).
From date of lodgement (820) or arrival in Australia (309). Not available on Subclass 300.
After meeting residence requirements — generally 4 years including 1 year as a permanent resident.
We are a team of MARA-registered migration agents based in Sydney. We have helped hundreds of couples through the partner visa process — from straightforward applications to complex cases involving prior refusals, long-distance relationships, and family violence provisions.
We know what case officers look for. We know where applications typically fall short. And we know how to build a case that gives your relationship the best chance of a successful outcome.
No. De facto couples can apply for a partner visa if they have been in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months and exceptions may apply for couples with a child together. A registered relationship is accepted by the Department of Home Affairs if the couple have not been living together for 12 months, but are in a genuine relationship. Engaged couples who are not yet married should apply for the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) instead, but the applicant must be offshore.
There is no separate ‘spouse visa’ in Australian law. The term spouse visa is commonly used to describe the partner visa for married couples. The official name is Partner Visa, and it covers both married couples and de facto couples. The subclass you apply for (820/801 or 309/100) depends on where you are when you lodge, not whether you are married.
The government application fee as at the 2025–26 financial year is approximately AUD $9,365 for the primary applicant. This covers both the temporary and permanent stages. Additional costs include medical examinations (~$350–$500 per person), police clearances, certified translations, and optional migration agent fees. The total cost for a single-applicant case typically ranges from AUD $12,000–$16,000. Government fees are non-refundable and updated annually on 1 July.
As at early 2026, the median processing time for the temporary partner visa (Subclass 820 or 309) is approximately 17 months. The permanent stage is assessed approximately 6 months after lodgement. Processing times vary based on application completeness, Department workload, and individual circumstances.
There is no stand -alone ‘de facto visa’ in Australia. When people search for a de facto visa, they are looking for the Partner Visa — available to both married couples and de facto couples. The relevant subclass is either Subclass 820/801 (if your partner is in Australia) or Subclass 309/100 (if your partner is overseas).
Yes. Both the provisional Subclass 820 and Subclass 309 come with full, unrestricted work rights from the date of application (820) or from the date of visa grant (309). There are no restrictions on employer, role, or hours.
Yes. Australian migration law fully recognises same-sex relationships. LGBTIQ+ couples apply through exactly the same partner visa pathways as all other couples, with the same requirements, fees, and process.
You can apply for a merit review with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within the timeframe specified in your refusal notice — typically 28 to 70 days depending on your circumstances. Seek professional advice immediately after a refusal. Do not delay, as missing the review window removes your appeal rights.
Yes. Dependent children can be included up until age 23. Additional government charges apply — approximately AUD $2,345 per child under 18 for the 2025–26 year. Children will also need to meet health and character requirements. If the application is not granted before the child turns 23 the child will need to be removed from the application.
Additionally, it is possible to include a child in an application if the child is still offshore once the Provisional part has been approved, namely, Subclasses 820 and 309. This application is called a Subclass 445 – Dependent Child visa and is a temporary visa allowing a child to live with their parent who holds a provisional Partner visa (Subclass 309 or 820) while the parent’s permanent visa is processed, and the child can be included in the permanent visa application while holding the Subclass 445.
Generally, an Australian citizen or permanent resident can sponsor up to two partners in their lifetime, with at least five years between each sponsorship. Exceptions exist in very limited circumstances. Seek advice if you have previously sponsored a partner.
It depends on your visitor visa conditions. A visitor can carry an 8503 ‘no further stay’ condition that prevents onshore applications. Check your visa conditions carefully and seek advice before lodging an application
Yes. Australia has specific family violence provisions that allow holders of a temporary partner visa (Subclass 820 or 309) to apply for permanent residence even if the relationship ends due to family violence — including if the sponsor withdraws their sponsorship. Contact our team immediately if you are in this situation.
The partner visa process is one of the most important steps you and your partner will take. The government application fee alone exceeds $9,000 and is non-refundable. You have one chance to lodge the right visa, with the right evidence, in the right format.
AustraliaMigrate’s MARA-registered migration agents are here to guide you through every step — from your first eligibility check through to your permanent visa grant.
Speak with a MARA-registered migration agent. We assess your situation, identify your pathway, and give you a clear plan — no obligation, no jargon.
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