PARTNER VISA — ONSHORE
OVERVIEW
The Partner visa (subclass 820/801) is for people already in Australia who want to build a life here with their Australian partner — whether married, or in a genuine de facto relationship, generally evidenced by at least 12 months of cohabitation. It’s one of the most commonly applied-for family visas in the country, and also one of the more heavily scrutinised.
Subclass 820/801 — for onshore applicants
Subclass 309/100 — for offshore applicants
Subclass 820 — the temporary visa, granted first
Subclass 801 — the permanent visa, generally available after two years on the 820
WHO'S ELIGIBLE
Sponsor eligibility and the two-partner limit
The sponsoring partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and must pass a character assessment as part of the application — a relevant history of family violence can see a sponsorship refused outright.
Case officers assess the relationship against four broad pillars of evidence — financial (joint accounts, shared debts), household (shared address, division of domestic duties), social (how the relationship is presented to family, friends and the community), and commitment (the nature of the household, plans for the future). A well-prepared file builds all four consistently, rather than leaning heavily on one.
You must be in a genuine spousal or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
You must be in Australia at the time of application
WHAT IT GIVES YOU
- Live, work, study and travel without restrictions
- A guaranteed minimum wage while working
- Medicare access in most instances
- Domestic student fees at Australian institutions
- Eligibility to apply for citizenship once you meet residency requirements
- The ability to sponsor family members under relevant programs
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
The strength of a Partner visa application rests almost entirely on the depth and consistency of the relationship evidence
provided. A well-prepared application typically includes:
Passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Proof of name change (if applicable)
Divorce certificate (if applicable)
National identity card
Police clearance certificates from every relevant country
Form 80 — personal particulars for character assessment, if requested
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
The strength of a Partner visa application rests almost entirely on the depth and consistency of the relationship evidence
provided. A well-prepared application typically includes:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Divorce certificate (if applicable)
- National identity card
- Police clearance certificates from every relevant country
- Form 80 — personal particulars for character assessment, if requested
- Statutory declarations from you and your partner covering how you met, your living arrangements, and your plans together
- Joint bank statements or financial commitments — joint loans, shared expenses
- Shared household documents — rental agreements, utility bills, lease agreements
- Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, invitations to shared events
- Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, invitations to shared events
- Correspondence showing ongoing communication and planning together
- Statutory declarations from friends and family who can speak to the relationship
The permanent stage — standard and streamlined
The 801 permanent stage is normally assessed around two years after the temporary 820 is granted, based on evidence the relationship remains genuine and continuing. Couples with a combined relationship of 5 or more years (married and/or de facto), or 2 or more years where there is a dependent child of the relationship, may qualify to have the permanent stage assessed immediately, without the standard wait.
Applying for a Partner visa? Relationship evidence is where most applications succeed or stall. Get advice on your specific case before you lodge