The Two-Stage Process

Australia's Partner visa comes in two stages:

  • Subclass 820 (Temporary) — granted onshore, allows you to live and work in Australia while the permanent stage is assessed
  • Subclass 801 (Permanent) — granted after the temporary stage, typically after 2 years together
You apply for both simultaneously at the same time using the same form — the Department of Home Affairs assesses the temporary stage first, then the permanent stage later.

Eligibility

You must be in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The relationship can be:

  • Married (de facto or married at law)
  • De facto — you have lived together in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months (with limited exceptions)

Evidence Required

The relationship assessment looks at four key areas:

Financial aspects — joint bank accounts, shared bills, property, loans Nature of household — shared accommodation, household responsibilities Social aspects — how you present as a couple to family and friends, social media, photographs Commitment — length of relationship, knowledge of each other's lives, future plans

Strong applications typically include 2–3 pieces of evidence per category.

Processing Times

Partner visas are among Australia's slowest to process:

  • Temporary (820): 14–24 months
  • Permanent (801): Up to 36+ months after lodgement
Times vary significantly based on caseload and individual complexity.

Offshore Application (309/100)

If you are outside Australia, the equivalent visa is the Prospective Marriage Visa (300) or Subclass 309/100 (Partner offshore). The permanent stage grants the 100 visa.

Using a Migration Agent

Partner visas are often complex due to the relationship evidence requirements. A MARA-registered migration agent can:

  • Help structure your evidence
  • Advise on borderline cases (short relationships, prior refusals)
  • Manage communication with the Department of Home Affairs
  • Handle any requests for further information
Compare MARA-registered migration agents →