Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 820 & 801)
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 and progress to permanent residency.
This visa is granted in two stages:
Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)
Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
How the Partner Visa Works
You apply for both visas together
The 820 visa lets you live and work in Australia while your case is assessed
After the required period, you may be granted the 801 permanent visa
In long-term relationships, both visas may be granted at the same time
Who Can Apply
You may be eligible if you are:
Married to an eligible sponsor, or
In a genuine de facto relationship
You must:
Be in Australia at the time of application
Be 18 years or older
Meet health and character requirements
Have no outstanding Australian government debts
Who Can Sponsor You
Your sponsor must be:
An Australian citizen
An Australian permanent resident, or
An eligible New Zealand citizen
They must:
Be at least 18 years old
Not have sponsored multiple partners recently
Meet character requirements
What Is a De Facto Relationship?
A de facto relationship means:
You live together, or do not live apart permanently
You are in a committed, exclusive relationship
Your relationship is genuine and continuing
You are not married to or in a relationship with someone else
There is no requirement to be married.
Relationship Length Requirement
In most cases:
You must show at least 12 months of relationship history
This requirement may be waived if:
Your relationship is registered, or
You have exceptional circumstances
Evidence You Must Provide
Your application is assessed under four relationship factors:
1. Financial Aspects
Joint bank accounts
Shared bills or expenses
Proof of joint assets or liabilities
2. Household Arrangements
Shared lease or ownership documents
Household bills in both names
Evidence of shared domestic responsibilities
3. Social Recognition
Joint photos over time
Statements from family and friends
Invitations or travel evidence together
4. Commitment to Each Other
Personal statements from both partners
Evidence of future plans together
Communication records if temporarily apart
Including Family Members
You may include:
Dependent children
Stepchildren
All dependents must meet health and character criteria.
Visa Conditions While Waiting
With the 820 visa, you can:
Live in Australia
Work full time
Study
Access Medicare
Travel in and out of Australia
If your previous visa expires, you may be placed on a Bridging Visa.
Location Requirements
You must be in Australia when applying
You must also be in Australia when the 820 visa is decided
The permanent 801 visa may be decided inside or outside Australia
Common Reasons for Refusal
Insufficient relationship evidence
Inconsistent statements
Lack of shared financial history
Previous visa cancellations or refusals
Sponsor limitations
How Visa Aid Helps
Visa Aid supports you with:
Eligibility assessment
Document preparation and review
Relationship statements drafting
Sponsor compliance checks
End-to-end application management
We focus on clarity, compliance, and approval-ready applications.
Next Step
If you are planning to apply for a Partner Visa or are unsure about your eligibility:
Book a confidential consultation with Visa Aid.
