The Australian partner visa remains one of the most popular pathways for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live and build a life together in Australia. Whether you’re applying onshore or offshore, understanding the latest requirements, costs, and processing timelines is essential for a successful application.
Two Main Pathways: Onshore vs Offshore
You apply for the temporary and permanent Partner Visas together in both streams.
- Onshore (Subclasses 820 & 801): For partners already in Australia. You must be in Australia when applying for the 820.
- Offshore (Subclasses 309 & 100): For partners outside Australia. You must be outside Australia when applying for the 309.
Key Benefit: The temporary visa (820 or 309) lets you live in Australia while waiting for the permanent visa (801 or 100), which is usually assessed 2 years after you lodge the initial application, provided the relationship is ongoing and genuine.
Core Requirements (2026)
All Partner Visa applications centre on proving a genuine and continuing relationship. You must:
- Be the spouse (married) or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Have your partner sponsor you.
- Provide compelling evidence of your relationship (shared finances, social recognition, commitment, and household aspects).
- Meet health and character requirements.
- For de facto relationships: Generally, you need at least 12 months of cohabitation (some exemptions apply, e.g., for married couples or those with children).
Additional notes:
- The sponsor must meet eligibility criteria (e.g., not sponsored too many partners previously).
- Children can be included in the application in most cases.
Strong applications include detailed relationship statements, third-party declarations, and extensive supporting documents. Weak evidence is the top reason for delays or refusals.
Partner Visa Costs (as of 2026)
Main Applicant Charge: From AUD 9,365 for most Partner Visa applications (820/801 or 309/100).
- Lower fee (from AUD 1,560) may apply if you hold a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa.
- Additional charges apply for family members (adult/child applicants).
- Costs can change; always check the official Visa Pricing Table on the Department of Home Affairs website at time of lodgement.
Other Potential Costs: Health examinations, police certificates, translations, and professional migration assistance.
Investing in expert preparation often saves thousands in the long run by avoiding refusals, requests for more information, or re-applications.
Timeline & Processing Times
- Temporary Visa (820/309): Current median around 18 months for Partner (Provisional/Temporary) category. Processing varies based on completeness, complexity, and prioritisation of older/compassionate cases.
- Permanent Visa (801/100): Assessed starting from the 2-year eligibility date after initial lodgement. Additional processing time applies after that.
Factors Affecting Your Timeline:
- Quality and completeness of your application.
- Response speed to any requests for information.
- Health, character, and security checks.
The Department continues focusing on reducing backlogs while maintaining rigorous assessment of relationship genuineness.
Navigating Partner Visas requires deep knowledge of evidence requirements and current Department priorities. Our team at JS Migration provides:
- Comprehensive document checklists tailored to your situation.
- Relationship statement coaching.
- Full application preparation and lodgement support.
- Ongoing communication and updates.
Ready to reunite with your partner in Australia?
Don’t leave your future to chance. Enquire now and take the first step toward your partner visa success story.