Subclass 820 / 801 / 309 / 100

❤️ Partner Visas

Partner visas allow the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. We help you build the strongest possible relationship evidence and manage your application end-to-end.

Benefits

What This Visa Gives You

Partner visas are a two-stage permanent pathway with full work, study, and Medicare rights from day one.

🏠

Live with Your Partner

Settle in Australia with your loved one, with full residency rights.

💼

Full Work Rights

Work for any employer immediately upon visa grant.

💊

Medicare Access

Enrol in Australia's public healthcare from the temporary stage.

🎓

Study Rights

Study at any institution at domestic tuition rates after PR.

👪

Family Inclusion

Dependent children can be included in your application.

🎯

Path to Citizenship

Permanent stage opens the door to Australian citizenship.

Weighing It Up

Pros and Cons

A balanced view of what this visa offers and where its limits lie.

Advantages

  • Permanent residency outcome with full work and study rights
  • Immediate Medicare access from the temporary stage
  • Apply onshore (820/801) or offshore (309/100) — choose what fits your situation
  • Dependent children can be included in your application
  • Once granted, no occupation, location, or sponsorship restrictions

! Things to Consider

  • Long processing — permanent stage often takes 12–24 months
  • High government application charge (typically AUD $9,365+ at lodgement)
  • Heavy evidence burden across financial, social, household, and commitment categories
  • De facto applicants generally need 12+ months of registered or cohabitation evidence
  • Sponsor must meet eligibility criteria — previous sponsorships limit some sponsors
  • Two-stage structure means waiting roughly two years for permanent grant
Onshore vs Offshore

Two Pathways, One Goal

Whether you are inside or outside Australia when you apply, the partner visa is a two-stage process — temporary first, then permanent.

StreamStage 1 (Temporary)Stage 2 (Permanent)Where You Apply
OnshoreIn Australia
820Temporary
801Permanent
Inside Australia
OffshoreOutside Australia
309Provisional
100Permanent
Outside Australia
Two-Stage Process
820/309 Temporary
~2 Years
801/100 Permanent

After roughly two years on the temporary visa, you become eligible for the permanent stage — provided your relationship is ongoing and genuine.

Eligibility

Core Requirements

Most applicants must satisfy these criteria. Some streams have additional requirements that we will assess in your consultation.

  • Genuine and ongoing relationship with an eligible Australian partner
  • Married, or in a registered/de facto relationship for 12+ months (some exceptions)
  • Evidence across all four categories: financial, social, household, and commitment
  • Joint statutory declarations from third parties
  • Both applicant and sponsor meet health and character requirements
  • Sponsor not previously refused or limited from sponsoring
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Evidence Categories

The Department assesses your relationship across these four areas. Strong applications cover all of them.

Financial Social Household Commitment
Evidence quality wins partner cases. We help you compile and structure evidence the Department accepts — not just a stack of documents.
FAQ

Common Questions

The questions we hear most often. Need more detail? Book a consultation.

How long does a partner visa take to process?

Temporary stage (820 or 309) usually takes 12–24 months. Permanent stage (801 or 100) is typically processed once you reach two years from your initial lodgement, provided your relationship is ongoing.

Do we need to be married, or is de facto enough?

Both work. Married couples can apply immediately. De facto couples generally need 12+ months of cohabitation, or a relationship registered in an Australian state/territory that recognises it.

Can I work in Australia while my partner visa is being processed?

Yes. Onshore applicants (820/801) are placed on a Bridging Visa A with full work rights once your initial application is lodged. Offshore applicants must wait until grant of the temporary 309 visa.

What happens if our relationship ends during processing?

If the relationship ends after lodgement, you must inform the Department. There are limited exceptions where you may still be granted the visa — family violence, death of sponsor, or shared parenting of children. We can advise on each scenario.

Can my children be included in the application?

Yes. Dependent children of either you or your sponsor can be included as secondary applicants — either at lodgement or later ("add subsequent entrant").

What evidence do we need to show our relationship is genuine?

Evidence falls into four categories: financial (joint accounts, bills), social (photos, social media, joint events), household (shared address, joint bills), and commitment (statements, future plans, joint statutory declarations from third parties).

Process

Our Three-Step Approach

From your first call to visa grant, you have a registered migration agent guiding every step.

01
💬

Initial Consultation

We assess your situation, identify the right pathway, and flag any risks before you commit. 100% refundable if you proceed with us.

02
📋

Strategy & Preparation

We build your migration strategy, gather documentation, and prepare a strong, decision-ready application.

03

Lodgement & Grant

We lodge your application, manage all Department correspondence, and support you through to visa grant.

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Your Australian
Dream Awaits

Book a consultation with our registered migration agents. 100% refundable when you proceed with us — so you can be confident in your investment.