What It Is and How to Apply for a Partner Visa

Published:

27 July 2026

Read Time: 12 Minutes

Introduction

If you have typed "spouse visa Australia" into a search engine, you are not alone. It is one of the most common migration searches in Australia. But here is something worth knowing before you go any further: there is no visa in the Australian migration system called a spouse visa.

The visa you are looking for is called the partner visa. It is administered by the Department of Home Affairs under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and it covers married couples, de facto partners, and in some cases fiancés. Spouse visa is a widely used term. Partner visa is the correct one.

This guide explains what the partner visa is, which subclass applies to your situation, what the application process involves, and what the Department of Home Affairs expects from every application it receives.

What Is the Partner Visa?

The partner visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and study in Australia permanently.

It is a two-stage process. One combined application covers both stages. The first stage grants a temporary visa. The second stage, assessed roughly two years after the original lodgement date, grants permanent residency. Both stages are assessed on the same core question: is the relationship genuine and continuing?

Which Subclass Applies to You?

There are five partner visa subclasses under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). Here is what each one covers.

Subclass 820 — Onshore Temporary Partner Visa

For applicants in Australia at lodgement. A Bridging Visa A is issued automatically, allowing you to remain in Australia lawfully while the Department assesses your application.

Subclass 801 — Onshore Permanent Partner Visa

The permanent stage of the onshore pathway, assessed roughly two years after the original lodgement date. Permanent residency is not automatic.

Subclass 309 — Offshore Temporary Partner Visa

For applicants outside Australia at lodgement. No bridging visa is issued. Once granted, you can travel to and live in Australia.

Subclass 100 — Offshore Permanent Partner Visa

The permanent stage of the offshore pathway, assessed roughly two years after the original lodgement date.

Subclass 300 — Prospective Marriage Visa

For engaged couples where the applicant is outside Australia. Once granted, you enter Australia and must marry within nine months of the visa grant date. The onshore partner visa follows after the marriage.

Who Can Apply?

The partner visa is open to married couples, de facto partners, and engaged couples planning to marry. De facto relationships must generally have existed for at least 12 months before lodgement. This requirement does not apply if the couple has a dependent child together, or if the relationship is registered with an Australian state or territory authority. The partner visa applies equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

The sponsoring partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, be at least 18 years of age, and not be subject to a sponsorship limitation under the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth).

What Does it Cost in 2026?

The government application charge for the combined Subclass 820/801 or 309/100 application is AUD $11,710 for the primary applicant. Additional applicants aged 18 and over are charged $5,860, and additional applicants under 18 are charged $2,935. This fee is paid once at lodgement and is not refunded if the application is refused. Additional costs include health examinations, police clearances, document translation where required, and migration lawyer fees.

Please note: Government visa application charges are reviewed and typically adjusted by the Department of Home Affairs each July. The figures in this article reflect the 2026–27 financial year. If you are reading this after 1 July 2027, some charges may have changed. We recommend confirming current fees at the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing estimator or contacting us directly before you budget for your application.

How Long Does It Take?

Based on data published by the Department of Home Affairs in early 2026, 50% of Subclass 820 applications are decided within approximately 16 months and 90% within approximately 24 months. For the Subclass 309, 50% are decided within approximately 14 months and 90% within approximately 24 to 26 months. The permanent stage for both pathways is assessed roughly two years after the original lodgement date.

The single most effective way to reduce processing time is lodging a decision-ready application from the outset.

Please note: Processing times are published by the Department of Home Affairs as percentile estimates and are updated monthly. The figures above reflect data available in early 2026. Actual processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application, the completeness of evidence provided at lodgement, and application volumes at the time of decision. These figures are a guide only and are not a guarantee of when your application will be decided.

The Four Most Common Reasons Applications Fall Over

Inconsistent statements. The Department compares the applicant's statement with the sponsor's statement. Dates, timelines, and descriptions must be consistent across both.

Gaps in relationship evidence. All four categories must be addressed: financial, household, social, and commitment. Strong evidence in two categories and weak evidence in the others is not a strong application.

Sponsor eligibility not confirmed before lodgement. A sponsor with a relevant criminal history or who has exceeded their sponsorship limits may not be eligible. Discovering this after lodgement creates serious complications.

Health and police clearances that expire during processing. Documents valid at lodgement may expire before a decision is made. Planning for this is part of preparing a decision-ready application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a spouse visa in Australia?

No. The correct visa is the partner visa. Spouse visa is a widely used search term but it does not refer to a specific visa product. When people search for a spouse visa Australia, the partner visa is what they are looking for.

Does getting married to an Australian automatically give you the right to live here?

No. Marriage does not automatically confer any visa rights. The partner visa application must still be lodged, assessed, and granted through the Department of Home Affairs.

Can de facto couples apply for the same visa as married couples?

Yes. The partner visa applies equally to married and de facto couples. The subclasses, evidence requirements, and assessment process are the same. De facto applicants must generally meet the 12-month cohabitation requirement, which does not apply to married couples.