The Partner visa (subclass 820/801) is for people already in Australia who want to build a life here with their Australian partner — whether married, or in a genuine de facto relationship, generally evidenced by at least 12 months of cohabitation, or circumstances demonstrating the relationship without permanent separation. It’s one of the most commonly applied-for family visas in the country, and also one of the more heavily scrutinised, precisely because genuine-relationship evidence is central to the assessment.
There are two versions of the Partner visa, split by where the applicant is at time of application:
- Subclass 820/801 — for onshore applicants (this page)
- Subclass 309/100 — for offshore applicants (see next section)
- Subclass 820 — the temporary visa, granted first
- Subclass 801 — the permanent visa, generally available after two years on the 820
Who's eligible
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You must be in Australia at the time of application - You must be in a genuine spousal or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
What it gives you
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Live, work, study and travel without restrictions - A guaranteed minimum wage while working
- Medicare access in most instances
- Domestic student fees at Australian institutions
- Eligibility to apply for citizenship once you meet residency requirements
- The ability to sponsor family members under relevant programs
What you'll need
The strength of a Partner visa application rests almost entirely on the depth and consistency of the relationship evidence provided — case officers are trained to look for genuine, ongoing commitment demonstrated across multiple, independent sources, not a single strong document. A well-prepared application typically includes:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- Divorce certificate (if applicable)
- National identity card
- Police clearance certificates from every country you’ve lived in
- Form 80 — personal particulars for character assessment, if requested
- Statutory declarations from you and your partner covering how you met, your living arrangements, and your plans together
- Joint bank statements or financial commitments — joint loans, shared expenses
- Shared household documents — rental agreements, utility bills, lease agreements
- Evidence of joint activities — photos together, travel itineraries, invitations to shared events
- Correspondence showing ongoing communication and planning together
- Statutory declarations from friends and family who can speak to the relationship
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s why we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions we receive to make your experience as smooth as possible.
How much evidence is enough?
There’s no fixed checklist that guarantees approval — what matters is a consistent, credible picture across
financial, household, social and personal evidence that a genuine, ongoing relationship exists. Thin evidence in any one category is a common reason for delay or refusal, even when the relationship itself is entirely genuine.
What if we haven't lived together for a full 12 months?
De facto status can sometimes still be established without a full 12 months of cohabitation, depending on the specific circumstances — this is exactly the kind of case-specific question worth raising at a consultation rather than assuming either way.
Applying for a Partner visa?
Relationship evidence is where most applications succeed or stall. Get advice on your specific case before you lodge.
