Looking for parent visas? See our Parent Visa Australia 2026 guide (subclasses 103, 143, 173, 864, 884, 870).
Partner Visa Australia 2026: Complete Guide
Subclass 820/801 (onshore), 309/100 (offshore), and 300 (prospective marriage)
The partner visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It is one of the most common — and most complex — visa pathways, with application fees exceeding $9,000, processing times stretching well beyond a year, and evidence requirements that many applicants underestimate.
Types of partner visas
Onshore — Subclass 820 (temporary) / 801 (permanent)
Applied for while the applicant is in Australia. The 820 is granted first as a temporary visa; the 801 permanent visa is typically assessed two years later.
Offshore — Subclass 309 (provisional) / 100 (permanent)
Applied for while the applicant is outside Australia. The 309 allows entry to Australia; the 100 is assessed after the qualifying period.
Prospective Marriage — Subclass 300
For couples who are engaged but not yet married. The applicant must enter Australia and marry the sponsor within 9 months, then apply for the partner visa onshore.
Partner visa Australia cost 2026
The current Department of Home Affairs application fee for the primary applicant is significant — over AUD $9,000 at the date of writing — and applies to the combined 820/801 (onshore) or 309/100 (offshore) application. The fee covers both stages of the partner visa pathway, not each stage separately. Verify the current rate at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging. Additional costs include health examinations (typically $400–$700 per adult), police clearances (varies by country), translation of documents, and professional fees if engaging a migration agent.
How long does the Partner Visa take in 2026?
Partner visa processing times vary significantly and change frequently. As of 2026, indicative timelines published by the Department are:
- Onshore 820 (temporary): typically 12–24 months for many applications, with significant variation
- Onshore 801 (permanent): assessed after the two-year qualifying period from 820 lodgement, with the permanent decision usually 6–12 months after eligibility
- Offshore 309 (temporary): typically 12–24 months from lodgement, varying by post and applicant nationality
- Offshore 100 (permanent): assessed similarly to the 801 after the qualifying period
The actual time on a specific file depends on the quality of the lodged evidence, the volume at the Department, and whether the case officer requests further information. Published processing times move month-to-month — check current bands on the Department of Home Affairs website before relying on a timeline.
Eligibility requirements
- Be in a genuine and continuing relationship with an eligible Australian sponsor (married or de facto for at least 12 months, unless registered)
- Meet health and character requirements
- The sponsor must be approved by the Department
- For de facto partners: provide evidence the relationship has existed for at least 12 months (exceptions apply in some circumstances)
Free resource: Partner Visa Evidence Checklist — organised by the four assessment areas with concrete examples, plus a 5-email educational series. General information only.
Evidence requirements
The Department assesses the genuineness of the relationship against four categories:
- Financial aspects — joint bank accounts, shared expenses, joint assets or liabilities
- Nature of the household — shared living arrangements, division of household responsibilities
- Social aspects — joint social activities, recognition by friends and family, statutory declarations from people who know the couple
- Commitment to each other — length of relationship, future plans, knowledge of each other's circumstances
Evidence should cover all four categories. The more comprehensive and consistent the evidence, the stronger the application.
Common reasons partner visas are refused
- Insufficient evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing
- Inconsistencies between the applicant's and sponsor's statements
- Failure to meet health or character requirements
- The relationship has ended before a decision is made
- Previous visa fraud or misrepresentation
Can you work on a partner visa?
Yes. The Subclass 820 (onshore temporary) visa grants full work rights in Australia. The holder can work for any employer without restrictions while the permanent visa (801) is being processed.
Partner visa vs prospective marriage visa
The prospective marriage visa (Subclass 300) is for couples who intend to marry but haven't yet done so. The applicant enters Australia, marries the sponsor within 9 months, and then applies for the onshore partner visa (820/801). This adds an extra step and cost but is appropriate when the couple is engaged and the applicant is overseas.
Partner visa Australia — frequently asked questions
How much does a partner visa cost in Australia in 2026?
The Department of Home Affairs application charge for the primary applicant is over AUD $9,000 at the date of writing, and it covers the combined 820/801 (onshore) or 309/100 (offshore) pathway — not each stage separately. On top of that, budget for health examinations (typically $400–$700 per adult), police clearances (varies by country), document translation, and professional fees if you engage a migration agent. Verify the current charge at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
How long does a partner visa take in 2026?
Indicative timelines are typically 12–24 months for the temporary stage (820 onshore or 309 offshore), with significant variation by post, nationality, and the completeness of the evidence lodged. The permanent stage (801 or 100) is assessed after the two-year qualifying period. Published processing times move month-to-month — check current bands on the Department's website before relying on a timeline.
Do I have to be married to apply for a partner visa?
No. You can apply as a married spouse OR as a de facto partner. De facto partners generally need to show the relationship has existed for at least 12 months before applying, unless the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory, or other limited exceptions apply. Engaged couples who are not yet married and where the applicant is overseas may instead use the Prospective Marriage visa (Subclass 300).
Can I work on a partner visa?
Yes. The Subclass 820 (onshore temporary) grants full, unrestricted work rights in Australia — you can work for any employer while the permanent (801) stage is processed. Offshore applicants gain work rights once the 309 is granted and they enter Australia.
What evidence do I need for a partner visa?
The Department assesses the genuineness of the relationship across four areas: financial aspects (joint accounts, shared expenses, joint assets), nature of the household (shared living, division of responsibilities), social aspects (joint activities, recognition by friends/family, statutory declarations), and commitment (length of relationship, future plans, knowledge of each other). Strong applications cover all four areas with consistent, well-organised evidence.
Can a partner visa be refused, and why?
Yes. The most common refusal grounds are insufficient evidence that the relationship is genuine and continuing, inconsistencies between the applicant's and sponsor's statements, failure to meet health or character requirements, the relationship ending before a decision, and previous visa fraud or misrepresentation. Thorough, consistent evidence across all four relationship categories is the best protection.
What is the difference between the 820 and the 801?
They are two stages of the same onshore pathway. The 820 is the temporary partner visa granted first; it gives full work rights and lets you stay in Australia. The 801 is the permanent partner visa, usually assessed about two years after the 820 was lodged, once the qualifying period is met and the relationship is shown to be continuing. The offshore equivalents are the 309 (temporary) and 100 (permanent).
What happens to my partner visa if the relationship ends?
If the relationship ends before a decision, the visa can be refused or the existing visa affected. However, there are limited exceptions — for example, family violence provisions, or where there is a child of the relationship — that may allow the application to continue in certain circumstances. This is a complex, fact-specific area; get advice from a registered migration agent before taking any step if your relationship has ended.
This page is general information about the partner visa, not migration advice for any specific person, and is not a guarantee of any outcome (s 15, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). If you'd like to discuss your partner visa situation, please contact us or call 02 8188 1887. MARN 1576536.