The Australian partner visa is one of the most emotionally significant and practically complex visa applications in the Australian migration system. It allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently.
Having processed dozens of partner visa applications, our team can tell you that the difference between a strong application and a weak one usually comes down to preparation. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Which partner visa do you need?
There are two main pathways:
Onshore: Subclass 820/801
If the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. This is a two-stage visa:
- Subclass 820 (temporary) — granted first, allows you to stay in Australia while the permanent visa is processed
- Subclass 801 (permanent) — granted approximately 2 years after the 820, once DHA is satisfied the relationship is genuine and ongoing
Offshore: Subclass 309/100
If the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application. Same two-stage process:
- Subclass 309 (temporary) — allows the applicant to travel to and live in Australia
- Subclass 100 (permanent) — granted approximately 2 years later
Both pathways lead to permanent residency. The choice between onshore and offshore depends entirely on where the applicant is when the application is lodged.
Eligibility requirements
The sponsor must:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Not have sponsored more than two partners previously (lifetime cap)
- Not have been sponsored as a partner themselves within the last 5 years
- Pass police and character checks
The applicant must:
- Be in a genuine and continuing relationship with the sponsor (married or de facto for 12+ months)
- Meet health requirements (medical examination)
- Meet character requirements (police clearances from every country lived in for 12+ months)
- Not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused in Australia (in some circumstances, this can bar further applications)
Proving a genuine relationship
This is the heart of the partner visa application. DHA assesses your relationship across four categories, and you need strong evidence in all four:
1. Financial aspects
Evidence of shared finances: joint bank accounts, shared expenses, joint property ownership or rental agreements, named beneficiaries on insurance or superannuation, shared financial responsibilities.
2. Nature of the household
Evidence of living together: joint lease or mortgage, utility bills in both names, shared household responsibilities, evidence of how you divide domestic duties.
3. Social aspects
Evidence your relationship is known publicly: joint social events, shared travel, photographs together over time, recognition by family and friends, joint memberships or subscriptions.
4. Nature of commitment
Evidence of a genuine commitment to a shared life: statutory declarations telling your relationship story, Form 888 declarations from witnesses, evidence of future plans (property purchases, family planning, joint goals), length of the relationship, and knowledge of each other's personal circumstances.
Pro tip: Quality over quantity. Ten carefully chosen, well-documented pieces of evidence are more powerful than 200 disorganised photos dumped into the application. Every piece of evidence should tell a story about your relationship.
Costs in 2026
- Visa application charge: $9,095 (main applicant)
- Additional applicant (18+): $4,550
- Additional applicant (under 18): $2,275
- Second instalment (at Subclass 801/100 stage): Nil if applicant held functional English at time of 820/309 application; otherwise $5,140
- Medical examination: $400-600
- Police clearances: $50-200 per country
- Migration agent fees: $3,500-$8,000 depending on complexity
Total cost for a standard partner visa application is typically $13,000-$18,000 including all government and professional fees.
Processing times
As of early 2026, DHA processing times for partner visas are:
- Subclass 820 (temporary, onshore): 8-18 months for initial grant
- Subclass 801 (permanent): 12-24 months after the 820 grant (approximately 2 years from initial application)
- Subclass 309 (temporary, offshore): 10-22 months
- Subclass 100 (permanent): 12-24 months after the 309 grant
These are estimates — complex cases, incomplete applications, and requests for additional information can extend timelines significantly.
Bridging visa while you wait
If you apply onshore (Subclass 820), you'll be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) that allows you to remain in Australia while your application is processed. This bridging visa includes:
- Full work rights
- Access to Medicare (after the 820 is granted or the BVA is in effect for a specified period)
- The ability to study
If you need to travel while on a BVA, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departing — otherwise your BVA will cease and you may not be able to return.
Common reasons partner visas are refused
- Insufficient relationship evidence — this is by far the most common reason. If DHA isn't convinced the relationship is genuine, the visa will be refused.
- Inconsistent information — contradictions between the applicant's and sponsor's statutory declarations, or between interview answers and written evidence.
- Health or character issues — undisclosed criminal history, health conditions that exceed the health requirement threshold.
- Previous visa refusals or cancellations — can trigger Section 48 bars that prevent further onshore applications.
- Sponsor limitations — the sponsor has already sponsored two previous partners, or was themselves sponsored within the last 5 years.
Tips for a strong application
- Start collecting evidence early — don't wait until you're ready to lodge. Open a joint bank account, take photos regularly, save tickets and receipts from outings together.
- Tell your story — your statutory declarations should read like a narrative, not a checklist. How did you meet? When did the relationship become serious? What challenges have you faced together?
- Get your Form 888 witnesses right — choose people who genuinely know your relationship well and can speak to specific details. Generic declarations are far less convincing.
- Organise your evidence — label everything clearly, use a logical structure, and include a cover letter that guides the case officer through your submission.
- Use a registered migration agent — partner visas are complex and expensive. A good agent will identify gaps in your evidence before DHA does, saving you time and reducing the risk of refusal.
Need help with your partner visa?
If you're a migration agent looking for a better way to manage partner visa applications, LodgeHQ includes dedicated partner visa questionnaire templates, document checklists covering all four relationship evidence categories, and AI-assisted letter drafting for statutory declarations. Start your free trial and see how much smoother the process can be.