The partner visas allow spouse or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to join their loved ones in Australia. There are 2 types of partner visas depending on where the applicant is at the time he or she lodges the application.

Partner Visas

Subclass 820/801

Applicant is INSIDE Australia

Spouses or partners should make a combined application of subclass 820 and 801.

Subclass 309/100

Applicant is OUTSIDE Australia

Spouses or partners should make a combined application of subclass 309 and 100.

If successful, the first visas to be granted either for the onshore or the offshore applications are subclass 820 or 309 respectively. These visas are both temporary. The permanent visas are the subclass 801 and 100 which are both processed at least 2 years after they have been granted the temporary visas.

Important notes:

  • The relationship must be genuine, continuing and exclusive partner relationship.

  • If the Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen partner has already sponsored a spouse or partner before, it should have been at least 5 years from the previous application.

  • Spouses should be legally married.

  • De facto partners should be at least 18 years old, not related by family, and relationship must be at least 12 months before date of application.

  • Alternatively, you can register the de facto relationship.

  • Things that the department will look at are the financial aspect of relationship, nature of the household, social aspect of the relationship and the nature of the person’s commitment to each other.

  • Applicants may apply with their dependent children.

Application requirements:

✓ Completed forms

✓ Identity requirements

✓ Sponsorship requirements for the Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen

✓ Statutory declaration from two Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizens who are not the partner of the applicant declaring that the applicant and partner are married or in a de facto relationship.

✓ Evidences that the relationship is genuine, continuing and have the intention to live together (photos, bank statements, property documents).