Bring your partner to Australia, or keep them here with you.
If you're married or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian, there's a visa to keep you together. Partner visas come down to proving your relationship is real - and that's where good preparation makes all the difference.
Which partner visa is right for you?
Mostly it comes down to where you are now, and whether you're married, de facto, or engaged.
820 / 801 Partner Visa (Onshore)
For partners already in Australia. Apply here, stay on a bridging visa while your case is processed, and build towards permanent residence without having to leave.
About the 820/801 → Overseas309 / 100 Partner Visa (Offshore)
For partners applying from outside Australia to join their Australian partner. The same two-stage journey to permanent residence, started from abroad.
About the 309/100 → Engaged but not yet married300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Engaged to an Australian but not yet married? The fiancé visa brings you to Australia to marry your partner, then transitions into a partner visa from here.
About the 300 → If your relationship has become unsafeFamily Violence Provisions
If you're on a partner visa and your relationship has become unsafe, you do not have to stay to keep your hope of permanent residence. The law protects you.
Your protections →It comes down to one thing: is your relationship genuine?
Partner visas aren't about ticking a box. They're about showing a case officer that your relationship is real and continuing. The couples who succeed are the ones who tell their story clearly and back it with the right evidence.
-
A two-stage journey to permanent residence
Whether you apply from inside or outside Australia, a partner visa is always two stages. You're granted a temporary visa first, and then - after a waiting period - the permanent visa, provided you're still together. You generally lodge both stages in one application and pay once.
-
You need a genuine, continuing relationship
You have to show your relationship is real, exclusive and ongoing - whether you're married or de facto. For de facto couples, you usually need to have been living together for at least twelve months, though there are exceptions such as registering your relationship.
-
You need an eligible sponsor
Your partner - the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen - sponsors you. Sponsorship comes with its own requirements and limits, so it's worth confirming they're eligible before you start.
Evidence across four areas. Case officers want to see your finances, your household, your social life, and your commitment to each other. A strong application shows the full picture, not just the easy parts.
Which partner visa pathway fits your situation?
Most of the decision comes down to two questions: where are you right now, and are you married, in a de facto relationship, or engaged? Use the path below as a starting point, then talk it through with a registered agent before you lodge.
Are you in Australia right now? If you're already onshore and either married or in a de facto relationship, the usual path is the Subclass 820/801 Partner visa. You lodge here, and you can normally stay on a bridging visa - often with work rights - while your case is decided.
Are you outside Australia? If you're offshore and married or de facto, the equivalent path is the Subclass 309/100 Partner visa. It follows the same two-stage journey to permanent residence, but you apply from overseas and there's no bridging visa, so you generally wait outside Australia.
Engaged, but not yet married? If you intend to marry your Australian partner but aren't married or de facto yet, the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa brings you to Australia to marry, then you transition into a partner visa from here.
Whichever path you start on, a partner visa is a two-stage process to permanent residence, and the core question is always the same: is your relationship genuine and continuing? If you're unsure where you sit, we'll map the suited pathway to your circumstances. You can also see all family visa streams if a partner visa isn't the right starting point.
What a partner visa can cost.
The figures below are a guide to the Home Affairs application charge only. They're indicative, change over time, and your circumstances can move them - so treat them as a starting point, not a fixed price. Our professional fee is separate from the government charge, and we quote it in writing once we understand your case.
| Pathway | Where you apply | Indicative govt charge |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 820/801 (onshore) | In Australia | Around AUD 3,100 combined, paid once at lodgement |
| Subclass 309/100 (offshore) | Outside Australia | A combined two-stage charge applies; confirm the current figure for your case |
| Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) | Outside Australia | A separate charge applies, then a further charge when you move to a partner visa |
Charges change, and yours may differ. The combined 820/801 charge is around AUD 3,100 at lodgement, but Home Affairs fees are reviewed over time and dependants or your individual circumstances can affect the total. We separate the government charge from our professional fee and put everything in writing - see fees and how we quote, or read the full breakdown on the 820/801 page.
Partner visa questions.
Where to from here.
Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)
Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.
Not sure which visa fits?
Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the right one - and help you build a case that holds up.