Australian Partner visas allow the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. Partner visas are relationship-based and require applicants to demonstrate that their relationship is genuine, continuing, and meets specific legal criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. Many applicants apply for a Partner visa while on shore and holding a temporary visa, such as a Visitor or Student visa, etc.
Partner visa applications rely heavily on evidence and can be emotionally challangeing. Processing times can be lengthy, requirements are strict, and refusal rates increase where applications are poorly prepared or misunderstandings exist. This page explains how Partner visas work, the differences between visa subclasses, and the key issues applicants need to understand before applying.
Partner Visa Australia Quick Facts
- Visa types: 820, 801, 309, 100
- Government fee: From AUD $8,850
- Processing time: 12 – 24 months (varies)
- Sponsor must be: Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
What is an Australian Partner Visa?
An Australian Partner visa is for couples who are married or in a de facto relationship and wish to live together in Australia. Unlike points-tested visas, Partner visas are assessed primarily on the strength and credibility of the relationship rather than skills, age, or occupation.
Partner visas are granted in two stages: a temporary visa followed by permanent residency. In most cases, applicants must satisfy the Department that their relationship is genuine and continuing at both stages.
Who a Partner Visa is For?
Partner visas are available to married couples, de facto partners, and, in some circumstances, couples who have not lived together for 12 months but can demonstrate compelling reasons. Long-distance relationships may still qualify, but they typically require stronger supporting evidence.
What a Partner Visa Allows You to Do
A Partner visa allows the applicant to live in Australia with their partner, work and study without restriction, access to Medicare, and travel in and out of Australia. Once permanent residency is granted, the visa holder may later become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Partner Visa Australia Requirements (Checklist)
To qualify for a partner visa you must:
- Be in a genuine and continuing relationship
- Be married or in a de facto relationship
- Have an eligible sponsor
- Meet health and character requirements
Types of Australian Partner Visas
Partner visas are divided into onshore and offshore pathways, depending on whether the applicant is in Australia or outside Australia at the time of application and decision.
Onshore Partner Visas (Subclass 820 and 801)
The Subclass 820 (temporary) and Subclass 801 (permanent) Partner visas are for applicants who apply while in Australia. Applicants would be granted a Bridging Visa that allows them to remain lawfully in Australia while their application is processed.
This pathway provides work rights and access to Medicare during processing, but travel outside Australia can be restricted unless the correct bridging visa arrangements are in place.
Offshore Partner Visas (Subclass 309 and 100)
The Subclass 309 (temporary) and Subclass 100 (permanent) Partner visas are for applicants who apply while outside Australia. The applicant must usually be offshore when the temporary visa is decided. However, new legislation can make it possible, in the right circumstances, for offshore applicants to enter Australia and obtain a Bridging Visa to remain while processing.
Offshore applicants may enter and live in Australia once the visa is granted, but processing times can be affected by location, document verification, and security checks.
Temporary and Permanent Stages Explained
All Partner visas operate on a two-stage assessment process, unless the Department is satisfied that a “long term relationship” already exists, in which case the permanent stage visa is granted immediately on application approval. Understanding this structure is essential when preparing evidence and planning long-term residence in Australia.
Temporary Partner Visa Stage (820 or 309)
The temporary Partner visa stage allows the Department to assess whether the relationship appears genuine and continuing at the time of application. Most applicants remain on this visa for approximately two years, although timeframes can vary significantly depending upon processing time of the temporary stage visa.
Permanent Partner Visa Stage (801 or 100)
The permanent stage assesses whether the relationship has continued since the temporary visa was granted. In some circumstances, such as a “long term relationship”, the permanent visa may be granted immediately without waiting two years.
Partner Visa Relationship Requirements (Genuine and Continuing Relationship)
To qualify for a Partner visa, applicants must demonstrate that their relationship is genuine and continuing, that they live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis, and that they are committed to a shared life to the exclusion of others. The Departments assessment of apart does not necessarily refer to physically apart.
What the Department Means by a “Genuine and Continuing” Relationship
The Department assesses whether the relationship exists in substance, not just on paper. This involves examining how the couple manages their finances, household, social life, commitment and future plans.
Partner Visa Relationship Evidence Explained
Relationship evidence is the most critical part of a Partner visa application. Weak, inconsistent, or poorly organised evidence is a common cause of delays and refusals. The four legal elements to be satisfied are:
- Financial Evidence
- Houshold Evidence (this element can be challenging when living apart but is still possible)
- Social Evidence
- Commitment Evidence
Onshore vs Offshore Partner Visa – Which is Better
There is no universally better option between onshore and offshore Partner visas. The appropriate pathway depends on visa status, travel needs, work rights, and risk factors.
Key Differences Between Onshore and Offshore Applications
Onshore applications often allow applicants to remain in Australia during processing, while offshore applications require applicants to be outside Australia at key decision points.
Risks of Applying Onshore
Onshore applications can carry risks if the applicant’s current visa is close to expiry or has restrictive conditions. Incorrect timing may result in unlawful status or limited work rights until an associated Bridging Visa activates.
When Offshore is Strategically Better
Offshore applications may be preferable where travel flexibility is required or where the applicant cannot lawfully remain in Australia during processing.
Partner Visa Processing Times and Delays
Partner visa processing times vary widely and depend on individual circumstances, application quality, and Department workloads.
Current Partner Visa Processing Time Ranges
Processing times are estimates only and can change. Some applications are finalised faster, while others may take several years.
Subclass 820
As of February 2026, 90% of applications are being processed between 16 and up to 23 months.
Subclass 801
As of February 2026, 90% of applications are being processed between 9 months and up to 22 months.
Subclass 309
As of February 2026, 90% of applications are being processed between 9 months and up to 24 months.
Subclass 100
As of February 2026, 90% of applications are being processed between 10 months and up to 21 months.
| Visa | Location | Stage |
| 820 | Onshore | Temporary |
| 801 | Onshore | Permanent |
| 309 | Offshore | Temporary |
| 100 | Offshore | Permanent |
For an indication of processing times for your visa and application date, use this visa processing time guide tool provided by the Department of Home Affairs website.
The processing period for the permanent Partner visa begins once you become eligible, which is generally two years after you lodged your combined temporary and permanent Partner visa application.
Why Partner Visas Are Often Delayed
Delays commonly occur due to missing evidence, inconsistent information, additional verification requests, or health and character checks.
How to Reduce the Risk of Delay
A decision ready application requires clear documentation, well-structured evidence, and consistent statements can significantly reduce processing delays.
Partner Visa Refusal Risks and Common Mistakes
Partner visas are discretionary, and refusal rates increase where applications fail to address relationship requirements properly.
Most Common Reasons Partner Visas Are Refused
Common refusal reasons include insufficient evidence, contradictions between documents, and failure to demonstrate a genuine and continuing relationship.
Red Flags Case Officers Look For
Red flags may include short relationship duration, inconsistent living arrangements, contradictory evidence, or previous visa refusals.
What Happens If a Partner Visa Is Refused
A refusal may carry serious consequences, including review rights limitations and future visa difficulties. Check whether your Partner Visa application may be high risk.
Costs of a Partner Visa Application
Partner visas are among the most expensive Australian visas. As of February 2026 the Department application fee is AUD 9,365.00 and is not refundable if refused. Additional charges are incurred for any dependent child applicants.
Other Costs to Budget For
Additional costs may include health examinations, police certificates, translations, and professional fees for assistance with the application.
Can You Include Children in a Partner Visa?
Dependent children can usually be included in a Partner visa application, provided they meet age and dependency requirements.
Dependent Children Explained
Children must be financially dependent and meet health and character requirements.
Step-Children and Custody Requirements
Additional documentation may be required where children are from previous relationships or adopted.
When You Should Get Legal Advice for a Partner Visa
Some Partner visa applications are more complex and carry higher refusal risk.
Complex Relationships
Legal advice is often beneficial for long-distance relationships, short relationships, or where the couple has lived apart for extended periods.
High Risk Visa Situations
Applicants with previous refusals, unlawful status, or complex immigration histories should seek advice early.
FAQs
In most cases, partners are expected to live together or to not live separately on a permanent basis. However, living together at all times is not strictly required. Couples who live apart due to work, study, family obligations, or travel may still meet the requirements if they can demonstrate that the separation is temporary and that their relationship is ongoing and committed.
The Department will look closely at the reasons for any periods of separation and the evidence showing how the relationship continued during that time, such as communication records, travel history, and future plans to live together.
There is no minimum relationship length set out in legislation. However, de facto couples are generally required to show they have been in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months, unless an exemption applies.
Married couples are not subject to the 12-month de facto requirement, but the Department will still assess whether the relationship is genuine and continuing.
Whether travel is permitted during processing depends on whether the application is onshore or offshore, and the visa held at the time.
Travelling without the correct visa may result in an applicant having to wait offshore during processing, even if they had applied for the onshore visa.
If the relationship breaks down before the permanent Partner visa stage is granted, the application may be refused or the temporary visa may be cancelled. In some limited circumstances, applicants may still be eligible to proceed, such as where there has been family violence or where there are dependent children.
Any change in relationship circumstances must be carefully managed, as it can have significant implications for visa status and future applications. Getting advice early can help reduce risk
Yes. A Partner visa can still be refused even where the relationship is genuine. This usually occurs where the Department is not satisfied that the evidence provided adequately demonstrates the relationship against the legal criteria, or where there are inconsistencies, omissions, or credibility concerns in the application.
The Department makes decisions based on the evidence before it, not on intention alone. Poorly structured applications, missing documents, or unclear personal statements can significantly increase refusal risk, even for genuine couples.
Yes you can. A joint bank account is not a strict legal requirement for a Partner visa. However, applicants must still demonstrate financial aspects of the relationship through other forms of evidence.
Processing times vary but most applications take between 10 and 21 months, as of February 2026, depending on the visa subclass and individual circumstances.
The current government fee for a Partner Visa application is from AUD $8,850, not including additional costs such as health checks, police certificates, or migration advice.
Need help with a Partner Visa?
Partner visa applications can be stressful, especially where timing, visa status, or relationship evidence is complex. Getting advice early can help avoid delays or refusal. Get advice on your Partner Visa situation.
* This guide provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Partner visa requirements and policies change regularly, and advice should be tailored to individual circumstances.