Partner visas in Australia are notoriously slow and more document-intensive than most people expect. If you are planning to apply for a partner visa, understanding what you are getting into ahead of time will save you a lot of frustration.
Here is an honest guide to how partner visas work, what they actually cost, how long they take, and where things tend to go wrong.
The Two-Stage Process
Most partner visa applications involve two stages. The first is a temporary visa (subclass 820 if you are already in Australia, or subclass 309 if you are offshore). The second is a permanent visa (subclass 801 onshore, or subclass 100 offshore).
You lodge both stages at the same time and pay for both upfront. The temporary visa is typically granted first, and then after your relationship has been assessed and you have been in the relationship for at least two years from the date of application, you can be assessed for the permanent visa.
If you have been in a recognised relationship for more than three years (or two years if you have dependent children together) at the time of your initial application, you may be eligible for the permanent visa to be granted without the two-year waiting period.
What a Partner Visa Actually Costs
The government application charge for a partner visa as of 2026 is approximately AUD 9,095 for the primary applicant. This covers both stages. Secondary applicants (dependent children) attract additional charges.
On top of that, you will have health examination costs, police checks from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more since age 16, and migration agent fees if you use one.
Budget conservatively. Including all fees, a partner visa application commonly costs between AUD 10,000 and AUD 15,000 by the time everything is accounted for.
How Long Does It Take?
This is the part that surprises people the most. Processing times for the temporary partner visa (onshore 820) currently run from 12 to 24 months for most cases. The permanent visa stage can take a further year or two beyond that.
Complex cases, cases involving prior visa refusals, or cases requiring police clearances from multiple countries take longer.
Plan for a long process. People who apply expecting things to wrap up in a few months are routinely disappointed.
Evidence You Need to Provide
The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four categories: financial, social, household, and commitment. You need evidence in each area.
Financial evidence includes joint bank accounts, shared financial responsibilities, joint loans, or evidence that you support each other financially.
Social evidence includes things like photographs together at events and with family and friends, declarations from people who know you as a couple, and joint memberships or subscriptions.
Household evidence includes proof of a shared address, like a lease agreement in both names, utility bills, or a statement from a property owner.
Commitment evidence might include communication history, travel records showing visits, or statutory declarations from each partner explaining the history of the relationship and your future plans together.
Common Mistakes That Delay or Sink Applications
Submitting poor-quality evidence is the most common problem. A few photographs and a joint bank account do not adequately demonstrate a genuine relationship. The evidence needs to be substantial across all four categories.
Failing to include a statutory declaration from the sponsoring partner is a mistake that causes delays. Both partners need to contribute evidence.
Not disclosing a previous relationship history accurately is another issue. Be thorough and honest. Inconsistencies between your account and the evidence create suspicion.
Not understanding the sponsorship obligations is a problem that surfaces later. The Australian sponsor has obligations under the Migration Act regarding the welfare of the visa holder, and breaching these obligations has consequences.
Sponsor Obligations and the PBSA
The Partner and Family Violence provisions under Australian law mean that if the relationship breaks down due to family violence, the visa holder may be able to continue their application on those grounds. If you are in a relationship where there are safety concerns, specific legal protections exist and a migration agent can explain what they mean for your case.
Working With a Migration Agent
Partner visas are time-consuming to put together but they are generally straightforward in concept. Where a migration agent adds the most value is in helping you understand exactly what evidence is needed, reviewing your statutory declarations before you lodge, and advising on the likely assessment of your relationship at the time of application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Australia while my partner visa is being processed?
If you are onshore and have lodged an 820 application, you will receive a Bridging Visa A that typically allows full work rights while your application is being processed.
What happens if we break up during the processing period?
You are required to notify the Department of any change in your relationship status. The application cannot continue on the basis of a relationship that no longer exists.
Does a de facto relationship count the same as a marriage?
Yes. De facto partners of at least 12 months standing are eligible to apply for a partner visa in the same way as married couples.