Australian Partner Visa 2026: Eligibility, Requirements, Costs and Application Process

If your partner is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may be able to apply for an Australian Partner Visa and build your life together in Australia.

However, applying for a Partner Visa is more than simply proving that you are in a relationship.

The Department of Home Affairs looks at the overall nature of your relationship, including your financial arrangements, living arrangements, social connection, and commitment to each other.

In this guide, we explain the main Australian Partner Visa options, eligibility requirements, evidence you may need, costs, and some important considerations before applying.

What is an Australian Partner Visa?

The Australian Partner Visa program allows eligible partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens to live in Australia.

The appropriate visa depends largely on:

• Whether you are inside or outside Australia when you apply;

• Whether you are married or in a de facto relationship;

• Whether you are planning to marry your Australian partner; and

• Your individual immigration circumstances.

There are several Partner Visa pathways available.

Partner Visa 820/801 – Onshore Partner Visa

If you are in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for:

Subclass 820 – Partner (Temporary)

This is generally the first stage of the onshore Partner Visa pathway.

The permanent stage is:

Subclass 801 – Partner (Permanent)

Generally, you must be in Australia when you apply for the subclass 820 visa.

Partner Visa 309/100 – Offshore Partner Visa

If you are outside Australia, you may consider:

Subclass 309 – Partner (Provisional)

This is followed by:

Subclass 100 – Partner (Migrant)

Generally, you must be outside Australia when you lodge the subclass 309 application.

Prospective Marriage Visa 300

If you are engaged or planning to marry your partner but are not yet married, you may also consider:

Subclass 300 – Prospective Marriage Visa

This visa is designed for people who intend to travel to Australia to marry their prospective spouse.

After getting married, you may then apply for a Partner Visa, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

Do you have to be married to apply for a Partner Visa?

No.

You may qualify for a Partner Visa if you are:

• Legally married to your partner; or

• In a genuine de facto relationship.

For applicants relying on a de facto relationship, there is generally a requirement that the relationship has existed for at least 12 months immediately before applying, although exceptions can apply in certain circumstances.

This means that if you have been together for less than 12 months, you should not automatically assume that you cannot apply. Your circumstances need to be assessed against the applicable visa requirements.

How does the Department assess your relationship?

One of the most important parts of a Partner Visa application is demonstrating that your relationship is genuine and continuing.

The Department does not assess your relationship based on photographs or romantic messages alone.

Instead, you should provide evidence that gives a clear and consistent picture of your life together.

Evidence is generally considered across several areas.

1. Financial aspects of your relationship

You should demonstrate how you manage financial matters as a couple.

Examples may include:

• Joint bank accounts;

• Joint bills;

• Joint rental agreements;

• Shared financial commitments;

• Joint purchases or assets;

• Evidence that you financially support each other; and

• Other evidence showing how financial responsibilities are managed.

You do not necessarily need to have a joint bank account to demonstrate a genuine relationship. What matters is that your evidence accurately reflects your circumstances.

2. Your household and living arrangements

The Department may consider how you organise your household and day-to-day life together.

Evidence may include:

• A shared residential address;

• Rental agreements;

• Utility bills;

• Mail addressed to both partners;

• Evidence of shared household responsibilities;

• Evidence of caring for children;

• Other documents demonstrating your domestic arrangements.

If you have lived together, explain when you started living together and how your living arrangements developed over time.

If you have spent periods living apart, explain the reasons and provide evidence showing how you maintained the relationship during those periods.

3. Social aspects of your relationship

A genuine relationship will often be recognised by your family, friends and wider social network.

You may provide evidence such as:

• Photos with family and friends;

• Invitations to weddings or family events;

• Travel records;

• Joint holidays;

• Social events attended together;

• Evidence of celebrating important occasions together;

• Statements from people who know you as a couple; and

• Other evidence showing that your relationship is known and accepted socially.

The quality and relevance of the evidence are more important than simply providing a large number of photographs.

4. Your commitment to each other

The Department may also consider the level of commitment between you and your partner.

You can demonstrate this through evidence such as:

• Future plans;

• Plans to live together;

• Financial planning;

• Decisions made jointly;

• Plans for children;

• Evidence of supporting each other through significant life events;

• Communication during periods of separation; and

• Other evidence demonstrating your intention to maintain a long-term relationship.

Your relationship statements can be particularly useful in explaining the history and development of your relationship.

What should you include in your relationship statement?

A relationship statement should tell the story of your relationship in a clear and chronological way.

You may want to explain:

• How and when you first met;

• When your relationship began;

• How your relationship developed;

• When you started living together;

• When you became engaged or married;

• Important events you experienced together;

• Any periods when you lived separately;

• How you support each other;

• Your financial and household arrangements;

• Your relationship with each other's families and friends; and

• Your plans for the future.

Your statement does not need to sound like a romantic story.

The most important thing is that it is truthful, detailed, consistent and supported by the evidence you provide.

For example, if your statement says that you started living together in May but your lease only started in September, this does not automatically mean there is a problem. However, you should explain the circumstances so that the difference is clear.

What documents do you need for a Partner Visa?

The exact documents will depend on your circumstances.

Generally, you may need to provide several categories of evidence.

Personal documents

These may include:

• Passport;

• Birth certificate;

• National identity documents;

• Evidence of any name changes;

• Marriage certificates;

• Divorce documents, where relevant; and

• Other identity documents requested by the Department.

Sponsor documents

Your sponsor will generally need to provide evidence confirming that they are:

• An Australian citizen;

• An Australian permanent resident; or

• An eligible New Zealand citizen.

Additional identity and character documents may also be required.

Relationship evidence

This is usually one of the most important parts of the application.

Depending on your circumstances, evidence may include:

• Marriage certificate;

• Relationship statements;

• Form 888 supporting statements;

• Joint financial documents;

• Evidence of living together;

• Travel records;

• Photos;

• Communication records;

• Evidence of significant events;

• Evidence of social activities;

• Evidence of future plans; and

• Other documents demonstrating the nature of your relationship.

You do not need to submit every document you have ever received.

Instead, focus on relevant, credible and well-organised evidence that supports your relationship history.

Do Partner Visa applicants need health and police checks?

You may be required to complete health examinations and provide police certificates as part of the Partner Visa process.

The exact requirements depend on your circumstances and the Department's requests.

If you have lived in several countries, it is worth considering your police certificate requirements early so that these documents do not unnecessarily delay your application.

Can you stay in Australia while your Partner Visa is being processed?

If you apply for an onshore Partner Visa, your existing visa status is an important consideration.

In some circumstances, when your current substantive visa expires while your Partner Visa application is being processed, you may hold a Bridging Visa that allows you to remain lawfully in Australia.

However, Bridging Visa conditions vary.

You should check the specific conditions attached to your visa rather than assuming that you automatically have unrestricted work or travel rights.

Travel is particularly important.

If you plan to leave Australia while your Partner Visa application is being processed, you should check whether your current visa or Bridging Visa permits you to travel and return to Australia.

How much does an Australian Partner Visa cost?

The Partner Visa application charge is currently from AUD 11,710 for most primary applicants, although the amount can vary depending on the circumstances and applicable visa charges.

You should also budget for additional costs, which may include:

• Health examinations;

• Police certificates;

• Biometrics, if required;

• Document translation;

• Certification of documents, where required; and

• Professional fees if you engage a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer.

Visa fees can change, so applicants should always check the current fees with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.

How long does a Partner Visa take?

There is no single processing time that applies to every Partner Visa application.

Processing times can vary depending on factors such as:

• The type of Partner Visa;

• The number of applications being processed;

• Whether the application is complete;

• The complexity of the relationship;

• Whether further information is requested;

• Health and character requirements; and

• Applicable processing priorities.

For this reason, you should be cautious about relying on a specific processing time when making important travel, employment or family plans.

Can you work in Australia on a Partner Visa?

Work rights depend on the visa you hold and the conditions attached to it.

Partner Visa holders may generally have work rights in Australia. However, if you are waiting for your Partner Visa and are holding a Bridging Visa, you should check the specific conditions of your Bridging Visa.

Do not assume that every applicant has the same work rights.

What happens if the relationship breaks down?

Relationship breakdown can create significant visa consequences, so it is important to obtain professional advice before making decisions about your visa.

There are, however, circumstances in which a Partner Visa applicant or holder may still be able to continue with their visa application despite the relationship ending.

Special provisions may apply in circumstances including:

• Family violence;

• The death of the sponsoring partner;

• Certain circumstances involving children of the relationship; and

• Other situations recognised under Australian migration law.

If your relationship has ended while your Partner Visa application is being processed, seek professional advice before withdrawing your application or taking any action that could affect your immigration status.

A Partner Visa is about more than proving that you are in love

This is one of the most important things to understand before applying.

A Partner Visa application is not simply:

"We are a couple → we have photos → therefore we qualify."

Your application should provide a consistent picture of your relationship across multiple areas:

Financial → Household → Social → Commitment

The evidence should also tell a consistent story.

For example, if your relationship statement says that you started living together in January, but your documents suggest you lived at different addresses until June, you should explain why.

A difference does not necessarily mean your relationship is not genuine.

What matters is that the circumstances are truthfully explained and supported by evidence.

Which Partner Visa is right for you?

If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, your first step should be understanding which pathway may apply to your circumstances.

You may be considering:

❤️ Partner Visa 820/801 – if you are in Australia

🌏 Partner Visa 309/100 – if you are outside Australia

💍 Prospective Marriage Visa 300 – if you intend to marry your Australian partner

The appropriate strategy can depend on factors such as:

• Where you are currently located;

• Your current visa;

• Your relationship history;

• Whether you are married;

• How long you have lived together;

• Whether you have children;

• Your previous Australian visa history;

• Any previous relationships or visa applications; and

• Your plans for the future.

There is no one-size-fits-all Partner Visa strategy.

Need help with your Partner Visa?

If you are unsure whether 820/801, 309/100 or 300 is the right pathway for your circumstances, professional advice can help you understand your options before you lodge your application.

At Davies Migration, we can assess your circumstances, review your relationship evidence and help you understand the requirements and application process.

👉 Book a consultation with Davies Migration to discuss your Partner Visa circumstances and potential pathway.

Important: This article provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances. Australian migration legislation, policy and visa requirements can change. Always check the latest information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs or seek advice from a registered migration agent or Australian immigration lawyer.

Get in touch

Address

Vietnam Office: Level 13, Circo Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan Street, Sai Gon Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000

Australia Office: 135 Carcoola St, Canley Vale, NSW 2166

Contacts

Mobile: +84 35 680 6899 (Zalo, Whatsapp, Line)
Email: annie@daviesmigration.com