Applying for a partner visa in Australia can be a life-changing journey, allowing you to reunite with your loved one and establish your life together. Navigating the process takes time, care, and attention to detail, but with the right guidance, you can approach Australian migration with confidence. Below, we break down absolutely everything you need to know about the Australian Partner Visa—what it is, why it’s important, the steps to apply, what challenges you may encounter, up-to-date costs, policy updates, and more.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Partner Visa in Australia

What is the Australian Partner Visa?

The Australian Partner Visa is a family migration visa category that allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. The visa applies to both heterosexual and same-sex couples, provided the relationship meets legal requirements.

The most common subclasses in the partner category are:

Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa, onshore)
Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa, onshore)
Subclass 309 (Temporary Partner Visa, offshore)
Subclass 100 (Permanent Partner Visa, offshore)

These visas allow you to:

Live, work, and study in Australia temporarily or permanently.
Access certain social and healthcare benefits.
Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible in the future).

Why is it Important?

Family Reunification: Keeps families and partners together in Australia.
Stability: Provides a pathway to permanent residency for couples.
Equal Rights: Supports relationships regardless of sexual orientation.
Positive Social Impact: Contributes to Australia’s multicultural values and community ties.

How Does the Australian Partner Visa Work?

You generally apply in two stages for the onshore (820/801) or offshore (309/100) pathways:

Temporary Partner Visa Application (820/309):
Granted first, it lets you stay in Australia while your permanent application is processed.
Permanent Partner Visa Application (801/100):
Usually assessed about two years after the initial application and, if successful, grants you permanent residency.

Eligibility Overview

To apply, you must:

Be married to or in a de facto relationship (at least 12 months) with an eligible sponsor (spouse/partner).
Prove the relationship is genuine and continuing.
Meet health and character requirements.
For de facto: Provide proof the relationship exists to Australian legal standards.

Key Benefits and Features

Work and Study Rights: From the date of the temporary visa grant.
Pathway to PR: Leads to permanent residency after provisional approval.
Inclusive: Accepts both opposite and same-sex relationships.
Health Access: Permits access to Medicare benefits after temporary visa grant.
No Occupation List: Unlike skilled visas, no requirement to have a specific profession.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Apply

1. Check Your Eligibility

Confirm relationship status: Married or de facto (same or opposite sex).
Sponsor eligibility: Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen.
Meet age, health, and character requirements.

2. Gather Your Documents

You’ll need an extensive collection of documents to prove your relationship is genuine and ongoing. Be prepared to provide:

Identity documents (passports, birth certificates).
Relationship evidence (joint bank accounts, lease agreements, utility bills, photos together, communication records).
Statutory declarations from friends/family.
Marriage certificates or de facto evidence.
Passport-sized photographs.
Police certificates from every country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more.
Medical examination reports.

3. Create an ImmiAccount

4. Lodge Your Application Online

Fill in the relevant forms (820/801 or 309/100).
Attach scanned supporting documents.
Pay the application fee.

5. Complete Health and Police Checks

Arrange health examinations via panel doctors.
Obtain police clearance certificates.

6. Notify Immigration of Major Life Changes

Update any changes, e.g., change of address, birth of a child, relationship status.

7. Await a Decision

Temporary visa is processed first; after two years, you’ll be invited to submit further evidence for permanent residency assessment.

8. Respond to Requests for More Information

Immigration may request additional documents; respond promptly to avoid application delays.

Application Fees & Costs (as of June 2024)

Main application charge:
AUD $8,850 (can change; always check the latest at Home Affairs Visa Pricing).
Additional applicants (children):
AUD $2,215 per dependent child.
Other costs:
- Medical examination: ~AUD $350–$500 per adult
- Police certificates: Varies by country
- Translation/certification of documents (if required)

Processing Times & Duration

820/309 (Temporary):
5 to 23 months (median as of June 2024)
801/100 (Permanent):
Assessed about 2 years after the temporary visa application, processing typically 6–14 months after eligibility.

Delays are common. Complex cases, requests for further information, or incomplete documentation may lengthen timeframes.

Typical Professions & Applicant Scenarios

Unlike skilled migration, all professions are eligible. Nevertheless, applicants are often:

Nurses, healthcare professionals
Accountants and finance professionals
Engineers,