Commonwealth of Australia · family · Leads to settlement
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Residence visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
- Processing time
- 12–24 months typical.
- Government fees
- AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally.
- Typical duration
- Initial provisional to permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 1 August 2026, the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) for Commonwealth of Australia is an unsponsored Australia immigration route. Sources: official Commonwealth of Australia government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/australia/partner-visa-au#answer
What is the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) in Commonwealth of Australia?
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) is an unsponsored Australia route. Indicative government fees are AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally; indicative processing time is 12–24 months typical; typical duration is Initial provisional to permanent residence. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Department of Home Affairs on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Partner visas involve a two-stage process: a temporary visa (subclass 820 onshore / 309 offshore) and a permanent visa (801 / 100) typically 2 years later. De facto partners need 12 months of cohabitation or registered relationship evidence.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian partner-visa applications are one of the largest single national cohorts. Indian marriage certificates from civil…
Chinese applicants
Chinese partner-visa applicants typically file offshore (subclass 309/100) given 820 onshore filings require existing Au…
Filipino applicants
Filipino partner-visa applications are heavily represented, with PSA-issued marriage and birth certificates accepted wit…
South African applicants
South African partner-visa applicants face the standard SAPS police-certificate timeline (8–12 weeks). Unabridged marria…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Genuine and continuing relationship.
- ✓Sponsor is Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.Australian Government — Office of Parliamentary Counsel / Federal Register of Legislation (Migration Regulations 1994) ↗
Common blockers
- !Insufficient relationship evidence.
Typical evidence
- ·Marriage certificate or registered relationship evidence.
- ·Joint finances and cohabitation history.
Application pathway
Sponsor approval
Sponsor separately approved, often prior to visa lodgement.
Lodge temporary stage
Combined with permanent application.
Wait 2 years (typically)
Before permanent stage considered.
Permanent grant
Upon relationship continuance.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check the conditions for your own permission, including work, and keep evidence of the qualifying relationship. The principal applicant’s conditions may differ.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Australia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicant + sponsorApply for partner visa ↗
Applicants and sponsors use this page to start the combined temporary and permanent partner visa process.
Department of Home Affairs · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: AUD 9,365+ — among the most expensive partner visas globally.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is the Australian partner visa so expensive?+
Australia has historically priced partner visas at recovery-plus-levy rates. At around AUD 9,000+ for the principal applicant, it is one of the world's most expensive family-migration products. Compare carefully against UK (£1,938 + IHS) and EU family routes.
Can my partner and I apply for the Australian partner visa if we aren't married?+
Yes. The partner visa covers de facto partners as well as spouses, but de facto partners must show 12 months of cohabitation or provide registered-relationship evidence.
Does my Australian partner have to be a citizen to sponsor me?+
No. Your sponsor can be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen — full citizenship is not required to sponsor a partner.
How long does the Australian partner visa take to become permanent?+
It is a two-stage process: you first hold a temporary visa (subclass 820 onshore or 309 offshore), and the permanent stage (801 or 100) is typically considered about 2 years later, subject to the relationship continuing. Overall processing is given as 12 to 24 months typical.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in AustraliaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Department of Home Affairs
Last checked: 1 June 2026