Overview
The Partner visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia. Onshore applicants use subclasses 820 (temporary) then 801 (permanent); offshore applicants use 309 (temporary) then 100 (permanent). The Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) is for fiancés intending to marry.
Partner visas turn on one thing above all: evidence of a genuine, continuing relationship. Which subclass you use depends on where you are, and the process runs in two stages — a temporary visa, then a permanent decision later.
Which partner subclass do you use?
If you’re in Australia you apply for the 820 (temporary) then 801 (permanent). If you’re outside Australia, it’s the 309 then 100. If you’re engaged and intend to marry, the Prospective Marriage visa (300) lets you come to Australia to marry, then apply onshore for the 820/801.
The two-stage process
You lodge the temporary and permanent stages together. The temporary visa is usually granted first, and the permanent stage is assessed around two years later. If your relationship was already long-term when you applied, the permanent visa can sometimes be granted without the two-year wait.
What counts as a genuine relationship
Case officers look at four pillars of evidence: the financial aspects (shared finances, joint commitments), the nature of the household (living arrangements, shared responsibilities), the social aspects (recognised as a couple by friends and family, joint activities), and the nature of the commitment (knowledge of each other, plans, time apart). Breadth and consistency across all four matter more than volume in any one.
Work, Medicare and travel while you wait
On the bridging visa after you lodge onshore, your work rights match the visa you held when applying. Once the temporary partner visa is granted you have full work rights and Medicare access, and you keep them while the permanent stage is decided. Check travel facility conditions before leaving and returning.
Who is eligible
- Be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen
- Have a genuine and continuing relationship (de facto generally 12 months unless registered/exempt)
- Be sponsored by your partner (sponsorship limits and approval apply)
- Meet health and character requirements
Costs
The base application charge is A$9,095 . Indicative Partner visa charge; a reduced charge can apply where the applicant holds an eligible Prospective Marriage (300) visa. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
Processing times
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 12 months, and 90% within 19 months. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times .
How to apply
- Confirm the relationship basis. Married, de facto, or intending to marry (subclass 300).
- Prepare relationship evidence. Financial, social, household and commitment evidence is central to a strong application.
- Lodge the combined application. Temporary and permanent stages are lodged together; the permanent stage is decided later.
- Second-stage assessment. Around two years after lodgement, the permanent (801/100) stage is assessed.
How it compares
| Your situation | Temporary visa | Permanent visa |
|---|---|---|
| In Australia (onshore) | 820 | 801 |
| Outside Australia (offshore) | 309 | 100 |
| Engaged, marrying soon | 300 (Prospective Marriage) | then 820 → 801 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 820/801 and 309/100?
820/801 are for applicants in Australia (onshore); 309/100 are for applicants outside Australia (offshore). Both are two-stage: a temporary visa first, then permanent.
Do de facto couples need to have lived together for 12 months?
Generally yes, a de facto relationship of at least 12 months is expected, unless the relationship is registered (in a state or territory that allows it) or other compelling circumstances apply.
Can I work while my partner visa is being processed?
Your work rights depend on the stage you're at. When you first lodge the temporary partner visa onshore, you go on a bridging visa, and your work rights match those of the visa you held when you applied. Once the temporary partner visa is granted you have full work rights, and you keep those work rights while the permanent partner visa is being decided onshore.
How long until I get permanent residence?
The permanent stage (801/100) is usually assessed around two years after you lodged. In some cases — for example a long-term relationship at the time of application — the permanent visa can be granted without the usual two-year wait.