Once you are in a settled relationship and are looking to live together in Australia, applying for a partner visa Australia can be the solution to building a future together. But while the idea sounds simple—live with your partner in the same country—the process can be like trying to solve a puzzle with a lot of pieces that need to fall into place.
Irrespective of whether you are married, in a long-term relationship, or preparing to get married, the Australian partner visa allows you to legally cohabit your partner in Australia. The trap lies in identifying which visa to submit, which papers to obtain, and how to prove that your relationship is not fake.
So, What Is a Partner Visa?
Simply put, a partner visa allows the Australian citizen's spouse or partner, permanent resident, or eligible citizen of New Zealand to live in Australia. It belongs to the family stream within Australia's immigration system.
The process is typically done in two steps:
- Temporary Partner Visa (either onshore Subclass 820 or offshore Subclass 309)
- Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801 or Subclass 100)
You apply once for both steps, and the Department of Home Affairs assesses you for the temporary step first. After a bit of time (usually two years), if everything is still running smoothly and being continued, you're nominated for the permanent step.
Onshore vs Offshore: What are the Differences?
There are two main ways to apply for the partner visa Australia, depending on where you live at the point of application:
- Onshore (Subclass 820/801): In the event you are already present in Australia, this is what you will essentially take. You will stay within the country on a bridging visa as the application is under process.
- Offshore (Subclass 309/100): If you're abroad, this is what you'll utilize. You can be issued the temporary visa only while physically abroad.
The documents and requirements are identical, but where you apply is what determines what subclass you submit.
Relationship Types Which Qualify
For your relationship to be eligible for an Australian partner visa, your relationship must be one of the three types listed below:
- Married Couples – You must be lawfully married, and your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
- De Facto Partners – You must have been living together for a minimum of 12 months (unless you've registered your relationship in a state or territory where that's possible, like Victoria or NSW).
- Engaged Couples – You will need to lodge an application for a Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) first. This visa gives you up to 9 months to move to Australia and get married, after which you can apply for a partner visa.
What Documents Do You Need?
This is where things get confusing, but preparation is key. Some of the documents required are:
- Evidence of your relationship (photos, travel history, joint bank statements, bills with both names on them)
- Written statements from the partners about your history together
- ID documents (passports, birth certificates)
- Health and police checks
- Australian partner sponsorship form
The Department of Home Affairs looks at four key aspects of your relationship:
- Financial (shared expenses, joint accounts)
- Household (domestic arrangements, shared chores)
- Social (friends and family acceptance, public showing as a couple)
- Commitment (future plans, emotional commitment)
How Long Does It Take?
The Australian partner visa procedure isn't speedy—but if your application is well-prepared, it can be smoother.
Processing times are presently at approximately:
- 820/309 Temporary Visa: 20–25 months
- 801/100 Permanent Visa: Additional 6–12 months after temporary visa has been approved
Delays can occur for a myriad of reasons—lost paperwork, conflicting information, or an application backlog.
What Does It Cost?
Let's be real—Australian partner visas are expensive. The bare minimum application cost is around AUD $8,850 for most applicants. There may also be extra costs involved in health checks, police certificates, or translation of documents.
But for the majority of couples, it is worth the money for the peace of mind and security of being together in one place legally.
Can Your Application Be Refused?
Unfortunately, yes. Refusals for partner visas do happen. The most common reasons are:
- Insufficient evidence of a genuine relationship
- Inadequate or incomplete submission
- Pre-existing visa issues or breaches
- Failure to comply with health or character requirements
And that is why taking the time to put everything in its place—and telling the truth and being comprehensive—is so important.
Should You Use a Migration Agent?
It's not unusual for partners to employ a registered migration agent to guide them through the process, especially if their situation is complex (e.g., one partner having previously been rejected a visa, or having a long-distance relationship).
A good agent will help with:
- Drawing up your application
- Clarifying what evidence is relevant
- Avoiding pitfalls
Meeting Department requests
Just make sure your agent is a registered MARA agent. Always check credentials before you provide personal information or hand over money.
Life While You Wait
When you apply onshore, you'll most likely receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which will allow you to stay in Australia while your partner visa is being processed. You'll also usually have work rights and access to Medicare.
It's as good a moment as any to focus on building your life together—accumulating more evidence, sharing holidays, continuing to live together, and staying involved in each other's social lives. Every little aids when it comes to the permanent visa.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a partner visa Australia is a significant step. It's not just about forms—it's about telling your couple's story, proving your love is genuine, and that your relationship has a future basis. Even though the process is frustrating at times, there are thousands of couples who go through it each year. Whatever you choose to do it yourself or hire a migration agent to help you out, the most critical thing is to be ready, be honest, and be patient. At the end of it all, having the freedom to begin life in Australia with the person you love makes it all worthwhile.
