Australian Partner Visas: A Guide
Updated: 14 hours ago
Are you in a relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen? An Australian Partner visa might be your pathway to permanent residency. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Partner visas in Australia, including eligibility requirements, costs and processing times.
What Is an Australian Partner Visa?
An Australian Partner visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen
or permanent resident to live in Australia. The type of visa you can apply for will depend on whether you are in Australia (Onshore) or Outside of Australia at the time of application.
What are the Pathways?
Onshore Pathway: Subclass 820/801 visa pathway
Offshore Pathway: Subclass 309/100 visa pathway
Offshore Prospective Marriage Pathway: Subclass 300 visa pathway
Not sure if you are eligible? Try our free quiz
Each Visa Pathway consists of multiple steps
Prospective Marriage Pathway (Offshore)
If you are not married but intend to get married within 9 to 15 months, you may be eligible to apply for the Prospective Marriage Pathway. This will consist of applying for a Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa, which will allow you to come to Australia to arrange your marriage.
Once you have got married, you will be able to apply for the combined 820/801 Partner visa. These visas are applied for simultaneously through a single application. You pay one combined fee and submit all documentation at once. The Department of Home Affairs grants the temporary 820 visa first, then assesses your eligibility for permanent residency (801) approximately two years later. Once your PR has been granted, you may be able to apply for Australian Citizenship within one year.
Westralian Migration Services can assist you to maximise your chances of success. Book a consultation with us today.
Partner Visa Pathway (Offshore)
If you are outside of Australia and are married (to your sponsor) or in a de facto relationship (with your sponsor), you may be able to apply for a Partner Visa via the offshore pathway. This will consist of applying for a combined 309/100 Partner Visa.
You pay one combined fee and submit all documentation at once. The Department of Home Affairs grants the temporary subclass 309 visa first. You will then be able to come to Australia while they assess your eligibility for permanent residency for the subclass 801 visa. Once your PR has been granted, you may be able to apply for Australian Citizenship within one year.
Westralian Migration Services can assist you to maximise your chances of success. Book a consultation with us today.
Partner Visa Pathway (Onshore)
If you are inside Australia and are married (to your sponsor) or in a de facto relationship (with your sponsor), you may be able to apply for a Partner Visa via the onshore pathway. This will consist of applying for a combined 820/801 Partner Visa.
These visas are applied for simultaneously through a single application. You pay one combined fee and submit all documentation at once. The Department of Home Affairs grants the temporary 820 visa first, then assesses your eligibility for permanent residency (801) approximately two years later. Once your PR has been granted, you may be able to apply for Australian Citizenship within one year.
Westralian Migration Services can assist you to maximise your chances of success. Book a consultation with us today.
Who Can Apply for a Partner Visa?
To be eligible for an Australian Partner visa, you must meet the following criteria:
Age: You must be 18 years or older
Relationship Status: You must be in a genuine, ongoing relationship as either:
A legally married spouse, or
A de facto partner (living together for at least 12 months)
Sponsor Eligibility: Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Character & Health: You must pass character and health checks
No Outstanding Debts: You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
How Much Does a Partner Visa Cost?
As of the 1st of July 2026, the following Visa Application Costs apply for each pathway.
Prospective Marriage Pathway (Offshore) Cost:
Subclass 300 application: From AUD$11,710.00
Combined Subclass 820/801 application: From AUD$1,955.00
Total: From AUD$13,665.00
Partner Visa Pathway (Offshore) Cost:
Combined Subclass 309/100 application: From AUD$11,710.00
Partner Visa Pathway (Onshore) Cost:
Combined Subclass 820/801 application: From AUD$11,710.00
Processing Times: How Long Will Your Application Take?
Processing times vary depending on application complexity and current Department of Home Affairs workload. As a rough guide see below.
Prospective Marriage Pathway (Offshore) Processing time:
Subclass 300 Processing time: 9 to 25 months
Subclass 820 Processing time: 12 to 25 months
Subclass 801 Processing time: 3 to 11 months
Total: 24 to 61 months
Partner Visa Pathway (Offshore) Processing time:
Subclass 309 Processing Time: 16-25 months
Subclass 100 Processing Time: 10-21 months
Total: 26-46 months
Partner Visa Pathway (Onshore) Â Processing time:
Subclass 820 Processing time: 12 to 25 months
Subclass 801 Processing time: 3 to 11 months
Total: 15 to 36 months
Factors That Affect Processing Times:
Completeness and quality of your application
Complexity of your relationship evidence
Volume of applications received by the Department
Need for additional requests for information (RFI) such as medical checks or character documentation
You can check the current wait times here
Common Reasons for Partner Visa Refusal
Understanding why applications are refused can help you avoid costly mistakes. Some of the most common reasons for refusal are
Insufficient relationship evidence:
Failing to adequately demonstrate genuine commitment and shared life
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation:
Missing documents or contradictory information
Outstanding debts to government:
Unpaid tax or other Australian Government liabilities
Character concerns:
Criminal history or character concerns with either the applicant or the sponsor, particularly if you have not informed the Department
Health Issues:
Failure to meet health requirements or incomplete health checks
Relationship not meeting requirements:
Not meeting the minimum 12-month de facto relationship requirement,
Having multiple spouses or partners,
Failing to show genuineness of relationship.
Why Should You Engage Westralian Migration Services as Your Migration Agent?
Applying for a visa in Australia is a complex and costly process, and while the Department of Home Affairs website contains a lot of information, often this information is unclear or misleading. Registered Migration Agents have access to the government legislation and the departmental policy documents that allow us to tailor your application to what the government will actually assess your application against. This will reduce the chances of your application being rejected and you losing your investment.
Whilst you can apply independently, partnering with a registered migration agent can significantly improve your chances of approval. A skilled agent will:
Help identify any potential issues early,
Help you compile a strong, well-organised application,
Ensure all documents meet Department requirements,
Interpret complex eligibility rules for your specific circumstances,
Respond professionally to Requests for Information,
Advocate on your behalf throughout the process,
How Much Do We Cost?
Our Fees for Partner Visa Applications depend on the pathway you select as well as the complexity of your case.
For the Partner Visa Pathway (Onshore) (820/801) applications, our fees start at AUD$3000.
For the Partner Visa Pathway (Offshore) (309/100) applications, our fees start at AUD$3000.
For the Prospective Marriage Pathway (300) applications, our fees start at AUD$3500.
This is in line with the industry standard rates; however, we will match or beat any quoted price from an Australian Registered Migration Agent.
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