Partner Visa

Uniting Partners in Australia - Temporary to Permanent Pathways

About the Partner Visa

This visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live, work, and study in Australia. It supports genuine relationships and offers a clear route from temporary residence to permanent residency.

Advantages

Full work and study rights in Australia from the temporary stage.
Include eligible dependent children in your application.
Pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 801 or 100) after assessment of the relationship.
Allows couples to remain together during processing, especially if lodged onshore.

Requirements

Be in a genuine and continuing relationship, either married, engaged (for Subclass 300), or in a de facto partnership (typically 12 + months).
Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible NZ citizen.
Provide substantial evidence across four pillars: financial, household, social, and nature of the commitment.
Meet health and character requirements.
If applying onshore, ensure no “no further stay” (8503) condition applies.

Visa Options at a Glance

Scenario	Temporary Visa	Permanent Visa	Key Point
Onshore	Subclass 820	Subclass 801	Apply from within Australia; a bridging visa allows stay during processing
Offshore	Subclass 309	Subclass 100	Apply while outside Australia; you may enter on Subclass 309
Fiancé(e)/Prospective Marriage	Subclass 300	Then 820 → 801	Come to Australia to marry and then transition to a partner visa

Application Process

Create an ImmiAccount and complete the partner visa application (temporary + permanent in one lodgement)

Sponsor lodges Sponsorship Form (using TRN from the main applicant).

Await the temporary visa grant (820/309 or 300), which allows work/study while your permanent stage is processed.

After about 2 years, the Department reviews your relationship for the permanent visa (801/100), and may expedite if the relationship >3 years or with a child.