What is the Partner Visa?
The Partner Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently. The visa is processed in two stages: the temporary Partner visa (Subclass 820) and the permanent Partner visa (Subclass 801). You apply for both at the same time, but the permanent visa is typically granted around two years after lodgement, provided the relationship is genuine and continuing.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Partner Visa, you must be the spouse or de facto partner of your sponsor. De facto relationships must have existed for at least 12 months before you apply, unless you can demonstrate compelling and compassionate circumstances. Your sponsoring partner must be approved as a sponsor and meet certain criteria including character requirements.
Key eligibility criteria include being in a genuine and committed relationship, meeting health and character requirements, and having your partner approved as a sponsor. Your sponsor can only sponsor two partners in their lifetime, with a five-year gap between sponsorships.
De Facto vs Married Applicants
Both married couples and de facto partners can apply. For married applicants, you need your marriage certificate. For de facto partners, you need evidence showing you have lived together for at least 12 months. This can include joint bank accounts, shared lease agreements, statutory declarations from friends and family, and photos showing your relationship history. The 12-month cohabitation requirement can be waived if you have a child together or if your relationship is registered in an Australian state or territory.
Evidence You Need
The Department of Home Affairs requires evidence across four categories:
- Financial aspects: Joint bank accounts, shared expenses, joint property ownership, shared insurance policies
- Nature of the household: Living together, sharing household duties, joint responsibility for children
- Social aspects: Being seen as a couple socially, joint invitations, photos together at events, shared social media presence
- Commitment: Length of relationship, future plans together, knowledge of each others personal details and family
You will also need statutory declarations from two people (one from each side of the relationship) who can attest that your relationship is genuine. Form 888 is used for these statements.
Costs
The base application charge for the Partner Visa is $9,095 AUD (as of 2025). If the primary applicant does not have functional English, an additional second instalment of $5,140 may apply. Additional applicants (such as children) incur further charges. You should also budget for health examinations (around $300-500), police clearances ($42-100 depending on country), translation of documents, and potentially migration agent fees ($3,000-8,000).
Processing Times
Current processing times for the Partner Visa vary significantly. For the temporary Subclass 820, expect 20-30 months processing time. The permanent Subclass 801 is assessed approximately two years after the 820 is granted. Total time from application to permanent residency is typically 3-4 years. During this period, the temporary visa grants you full work rights, Medicare access, and the ability to travel in and out of Australia.
Tips for Chinese Applicants
For applicants from China, some additional considerations apply. You will need police clearances from China, which can be obtained through the Public Security Bureau. Documents in Chinese must be translated by a NAATI-certified translator. If you were previously in Australia on a student or temporary visa, ensure your previous visa history is consistent with your application. Long-distance relationships may require additional evidence to demonstrate the genuineness of the relationship.
Many Chinese applicants find it helpful to keep a detailed timeline of the relationship, including chat histories on WeChat, travel records showing visits to each other, and photos with dates. Immigration authorities are particularly thorough in assessing relationships that began online or where there is a significant age difference.