i if you would like to start afresh with your partner in Australia, a partner visa Australia application may be the solution. If you are already Down Under or moving there, understanding the nitty-gritty of the Australian partner visa process can earn you lots of time, money, and headaches. Here, we will walk you through all of it — from applying for partner visa Australia to the cost of a partner visa Australia, processing time, and so on.
What Is a Partner Visa Australia?
The Australian partner visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. There are two stages: a temporary visa (Subclass 820) and a permanent visa (Subclass 801). Today, we’ll focus mainly on the partner visa 820, the first crucial step.
Partner Visa Australia Requirements
Before continuing with preparing your application, ensure that you meet partner visa Australia's requirements. This is what you normally need:
- You must be married to or in a de facto relationship with an eligible sponsor.
- Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing.
- If you're in a de facto relationship, you'll usually have to have lived together for at least 12 months unless your relationship is registered in some Australian states.
- You both must be 18 years and above.
- You must meet Australia's character and health requirements.
Good evidence to substantiate your relationship is critical. Consider in terms of joint bills, joint leases, travel documents, photos, and letters from relatives and friends.
Partner visa 820 is a temporary visa that enables you to stay in Australia while your permanent partner visa (Subclass 801) is being processed. Most couples are interested in the partner visa 820 processing time — and for good reason. It takes an eternity.
Currently, the partner visa 820 processing time is around 21 to 29 months, depending on how complex your case is and how ready your application is when submitted. As such, it's important to submit a complete application so that delays can be eliminated.
Partner Visa 820 Checklist
Preparation of your documents is instrumental in a smooth process. The following is a quick partner visa 820 checklist to help you:
- Identity documents (birth certificate, passport)
- Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, joint bank accounts, lease arrangements)
- History of the relationship accountings by partners
- Friendship or family statutory declarations
- records of shared social activity
- Certificates from police authority of all nations in which you have resided for 12 months or longer
- Medical certificates
These are not minimum ones but are good starting points. It is preferable to have documents checked by immigration professional.
Partner Visa Australia Cost
It's not inexpensive to apply for a partner visa, and it's worth budgeting accordingly. As of 2025, the cost of a partner visa Australia is about AUD 8,850 for the primary applicant. If dependent children are being included in your application, there are extra fees per child.
It's a big outlay, so be sure your application is as solid as possible prior to submitting it.
Partner Visa Australia Processing Time
As mentioned earlier, processing time for the partner visa Australia is very long. For the Subclass 820, you're talking about waiting nearly two years or even more. After you've received your temporary visa, you'll have to wait even longer — typically another two years — before you can become eligible for the permanent Subclass 801 visa.
Processing times can be affected by:
- How comprehensive your application is
- How timely you are at following up on requests for additional information
- Your personal circumstances (e.g. ill health or personal issues)
- The Home Affairs caseload of the Department
Keeping your documents in check and dealing with any requests from the government within a reasonable timeframe can be well worth a lot of marks.
Final Thoughts
Applying for a partner visa Australia is a significant choice — financially and emotionally. Knowing the partner visa Australia requirements, presenting a good partner visa 820 checklist, and saving for the partner visa Australia fee will give you the best opportunity of a favorable outcome. Although the processing of the partner visa Australia may take some time, being proactive and patient will enable you to move through the process. If you find yourself getting bogged down, you can do worse than take some advice from a registered migration agent who specializes in Australian partner visa applications. A bit of expert advice can do wonders to guarantee your future together in Australia.
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