Updated · Partner visa guide
An Australian partner visa allows an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to sponsor their spouse or de facto partner. The main pathways are 820/801 for onshore applications and 309/100 for offshore applications. Your location, relationship evidence and immigration history help determine the appropriate pathway.
Before paying an application charge, understand which pathway applies, what your total costs could include and how to demonstrate your relationship. This guide covers the essentials. For individual assistance, explore our partner visa advice and application support.
Which Australian partner visa should you consider?
The main distinction is where you are when you apply. The 820/801 pathway requires you to apply in Australia, while the 309/100 pathway requires you to apply outside Australia. Being in the right location does not, by itself, establish eligibility.
| Pathway | Application location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 820 / 801 | In Australia | Temporary partner visa followed by the permanent partner stage, subject to eligibility. |
| 309 / 100 | Outside Australia | Provisional partner visa followed by the permanent partner stage, subject to eligibility. |
| 300 | Outside Australia | Prospective Marriage visa for eligible people intending to marry their prospective spouse in Australia. |
Applicants must meet the relevant relationship, sponsorship, health and character requirements. A marriage certificate alone does not establish that every visa requirement has been met.
How much does a partner visa cost in Australia?
As checked on 11 November 2026, Home Affairs lists the standard starting application charge for the 820/801 and 309/100 pathways as AUD11,710 for most main applicants. Concessions and different charges apply in some circumstances, including certain subclass 300 holders applying for an onshore partner visa.
For the combined partner pathways, the initial charge generally covers the temporary and permanent applications. Your total budget can also include:
- Additional applicants: charges for eligible family members included in the application.
- Supporting checks: health examinations, police certificates and biometrics where required.
- Document preparation: translations and obtaining missing records.
- Professional assistance: migration agent fees, if you engage an agent.
Confirm your exact government charge through the Home Affairs fees and charges page before lodging. Professional fees are separate: see our guide to migration agent costs in Australia.
How long does an Australian partner visa take?
There is no single processing time for every partner visa application. Home Affairs publishes indicative times for recently decided applications through its visa processing time guide. Select your specific subclass and check again as your plans develop.
Timing can depend on the application’s complexity, supporting evidence, health and character checks, and responses to requests for information. The temporary and permanent stages have separate assessment requirements. A published timeframe is guidance, not a deadline or guaranteed outcome.
What documents do you need for a partner visa?
You need identity and sponsorship documents, evidence of your relationship, and relevant health and character information. The exact checklist depends on your subclass and circumstances. Use your ImmiAccount checklist and the official subclass instructions rather than relying on a generic list alone.
Start with your core records
- Passports, identity documents and evidence of the sponsor’s Australian status.
- Marriage certificate, where applicable, and records of any previous marriages ending.
- A clear relationship history explaining key dates and significant changes.
- Required police certificates, health checks and supporting witness statements.
- English translations of documents in other languages, following Home Affairs requirements.
Organise relationship evidence into four areas
| Evidence area | Examples to consider |
|---|---|
| Financial arrangements | Shared expenses, joint accounts used in practice, joint commitments or financial support. |
| Household arrangements | Living arrangements, shared responsibilities, leases and household correspondence. |
| Social recognition | Statements from people who know you, shared activities, invitations and travel records. |
| Commitment | Your relationship history, ongoing contact, support during separation and plans for your life together. |
These are examples, not a requirement to produce every item. Choose genuine records that explain your actual circumstances and cover the development of your relationship. If children are involved, check the applicable family-member requirements; our child visa information also explains a separate area of family migration.
What should you check before applying?
- Your current visa conditions: if you are in Australia, check your visa status and conditions with our VEVO check guide. Conditions or immigration history may affect an onshore application.
- Consistency: reconcile dates, addresses and relationship details across forms, statements and previous applications.
- Evidence gaps: explain periods apart or different living arrangements with genuine supporting information.
- Existing complications: obtain individual advice if you have a refusal, cancellation or approaching visa expiry. If you already have a refusal, explore our visa refusal and tribunal review assistance.
Do not assume marriage automatically gives you permission to stay. Your lawful stay, work rights and travel rights depend on your visa circumstances. Check these before your current visa expires or you travel.
Partner visa Australia: common questions
Does being married guarantee a partner visa?
No. Marriage alone does not establish visa eligibility. You must meet the applicable relationship, sponsorship, health, character and other requirements.
Can I apply for a partner visa while in Australia?
The 820/801 pathway is for applications made in Australia. Whether you can make a valid application depends on your current visa, conditions, immigration history and other requirements.
Is the migration agent’s fee included in the visa charge?
No. The government application charge and professional migration agent fees are separate. Ask for a written explanation of the service scope and fees before proceeding.
Do I need a migration agent to apply?
No. You can apply yourself. A registered migration agent can assess your circumstances, identify relevant requirements and assist with preparing and managing your application.
Can a migration agent guarantee faster processing?
No. Home Affairs controls processing and visa decisions. Professional assistance cannot guarantee a grant date or approval.
Is Borderless Migration’s full visa assessment free?
No. You can submit an initial enquiry at no cost. Fees apply for a full visa assessment, and Borderless Migration confirms fees before work begins.
Registered Migration Agent, MARN 0962347, and Managing Director of Borderless Migration. Based at our Bankstown office, Fatima assists clients across Sydney in English and Arabic. Learn more about Fatima.
Plan your next step together.
Get clarity on your partner visa pathway, evidence and professional support options before you lodge.
Start My Partner Visa Enquiry → Call 0433 419 900 Initial enquiry at no cost. Fees apply for a full assessment. Visa outcomes cannot be guaranteed.Official sources: Partner visa pathways; subclass 820; subclass 309 and document guidance; Home Affairs partner visa FAQs.
Information checked on 11 November 2026. Charges, requirements and processing guidance can change. This article provides general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.
