Australia Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) 2026: Evidence, Costs & Timeline

Australia Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) 2026: Evidence, Costs & Timeline

Applying for an Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) is a significant step for couples wanting to build their life together in Australia. This visa allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. It's a two-stage process, starting with the temporary Subclass 820 visa and, if successful, leading to the permanent Subclass 801 visa.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the requirements, application process, costs, and timelines you can expect in 2026. My goal is to help you navigate this complex journey with clarity and confidence.

What is the Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)?

The Partner Visa is designed for individuals who are in a genuine and continuing relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The application covers both the temporary (Subclass 820) and permanent (Subclass 801) visas. You apply for both at the same time, but they are granted in two stages:

• Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa): This allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily while your permanent visa application is being processed.
• Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa): Generally granted two years after your Subclass 820 application date, provided your relationship is still genuine and continuing. This allows you to live in Australia permanently.

If you apply from within Australia, you will be granted the Subclass 820 visa first. If you apply from outside Australia, you will apply for the Subclass 309 (Temporary) and Subclass 100 (Permanent) Partner Visas, which operate similarly but are for offshore applicants.

Who Qualifies for the Partner Visa?

To be eligible for the Partner Visa, you must meet several key criteria:

• Sponsor: Your partner must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and must be willing to sponsor you.
• Applicant: You must be the spouse or de facto partner of your sponsor.
• Genuine Relationship: You must be in a genuine and continuing relationship. This is the cornerstone of the application and requires substantial evidence across four key pillars:
  • Financial Aspects: Joint bank accounts, shared assets, joint liabilities, evidence of sharing household expenses.
  • Nature of the Household: Joint living arrangements, shared responsibilities, mail addressed to both at the same address, children's birth certificates showing both parents.
  • Social Aspects: Evidence of the relationship being known to others (friends, family, social groups), invitations to events as a couple, joint travel, photos with others.
  • Commitment Aspects: Evidence of the length of the relationship, future plans, joint wills, superannuation beneficiaries, communication when apart.
• Age: You must generally be 18 years or older when you apply.
• Health and Character Requirements: You and any dependent family members included in the application must meet Australia's health and character requirements. This involves medical examinations and police checks from every country you've lived in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years since turning 16.

For de facto relationships, you generally need to have been in the relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying. This requirement can be waived in certain circumstances, such as if you have registered your relationship with an Australian state or territory government, or if there are compelling and compassionate circumstances.

Complete Document Checklist (2026)

The success of your application heavily relies on providing comprehensive and well-organised evidence. Here's a detailed checklist:

Applicant's Documents:

• Identity Documents:
  • Certified copy of current passport bio-page.
  • Certified copy of birth certificate.
  • Certified copy of national identity card (if applicable).
  • Certified copy of change of name documents (if applicable).
  • Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• Previous Relationships:
  • Certified copy of divorce certificates, death certificates of former spouses, or separation certificates for any previous marriages/de facto relationships.
• Character Documents:
  • Police certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more, cumulatively, over the last 10 years since turning 16.
  • Form 80 - Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment.
  • Form 1221 - Additional personal particulars form (if requested).
• Health Documents:
  • Undertake medical examinations as requested by the Department of Home Affairs after application lodgement.

Sponsor's Documents:

• Identity Documents:
  • Certified copy of Australian birth certificate, Australian passport, or evidence of Australian permanent residency (e.g., visa grant notice and foreign passport).
  • Certified copy of change of name documents (if applicable).
  • Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• Previous Relationships:
  • Certified copy of divorce certificates, death certificates of former spouses, or separation certificates for any previous marriages/de facto relationships.
• Character Documents:
  • Police certificates from Australia (e.g., AFP National Police Check).
  • Police certificates from any other country lived in for 12 months or more, cumulatively, over the last 10 years since turning 16.
  • Form 40SP - Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia.

Relationship Evidence (Joint Documents - Most Critical Section):

• Financial Aspects:
  • Joint bank account statements showing regular transactions over time.
  • Evidence of shared property ownership (e.g., title deeds, mortgage documents).
  • Joint loan agreements (e.g., car loan, personal loan).
  • Joint credit card statements.
  • Evidence of shared utility bills (electricity, gas, internet) at the same address.
  • Evidence of shared household expenses (e.g., groceries, rent receipts).
  • Joint insurance policies (e.g., health, car, home contents).
  • Proof of shared financial commitments or responsibilities.
• Nature of the Household:
  • Joint lease agreements or rental receipts.
  • Correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address.
  • Evidence of shared responsibilities for children (if applicable, e.g., school reports, medical records).
  • Statements from friends/family attesting to shared living arrangements.
  • Mail addressed individually to each partner at the same address.
• Social Aspects:
  • Photographs of the couple together, with family, and with friends over time, including dates and descriptions.
  • Joint travel itineraries, flight bookings, and hotel reservations.
  • Invitations to social events addressed to both partners.
  • Statements (Form 888) from at least two Australian citizens/permanent residents who know the couple and can attest to the genuineness of the relationship. These must be statutory declarations.
  • Evidence of joint membership in clubs, societies, or groups.
  • Social media evidence showing the relationship publicly (e.g., shared posts, relationship status).
• Commitment Aspects:
  • Statements from both the applicant and sponsor detailing the history of the relationship, how it developed, joint activities, future plans, and significant events. These are crucial and should be detailed and personal.
  • Evidence of communication when apart (e.g., call logs, chat histories, emails - selected examples, not entire history).
  • Joint wills or superannuation beneficiary nominations.
  • Evidence of significant gifts exchanged.
  • Any other evidence demonstrating a long-term commitment to a shared life.
• Marriage Certificate (if married): Certified copy.
• Relationship Registration Certificate (if de facto and registered): Certified copy.

Important Note: All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Use a NAATI-accredited translator in Australia or a certified translator overseas.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The application is submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal.

1. Gather Documents: Collect all required documents for both the applicant and sponsor as per the checklist above. Ensure all certified copies and translations are ready.
2. Create ImmiAccount: Both the applicant and sponsor will need an ImmiAccount. The applicant initiates the visa application.
3. Complete Online Application Forms:
   • Applicant: Complete Form 47SP - Application for migration to Australia by a partner.
   • Sponsor: Complete Form 40SP - Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia. The sponsor will receive an email request to complete their part of the application after the applicant submits theirs.

   Ensure all information is accurate and consistent across both forms.

4. Attach Documents: Upload all supporting documents to your ImmiAccount. Organise them logically with clear file names (e.g., "Applicant - Passport," "Joint - Bank Statements"). There are limits to the number of attachments, so combine related documents into single PDFs where possible (e.g., "Joint - Utility Bills 2024").

5. Pay the Application Fee: The visa application charge must be paid at the time of lodgement. This fee is substantial and non-refundable.
6. Lodge the Application: Once the forms are complete and the fee is paid, submit the application online. You will receive an acknowledgement email with your bridging visa details (if applying onshore).
7. Health and Character Checks: The Department will instruct you on how to complete your health examinations and provide any outstanding police checks. You will typically receive an HAP ID for your medicals.
8. Bridging Visa (Onshore Applicants): If you apply for the Subclass 820 visa while holding a substantive visa (e.g., visitor, student), you will automatically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This visa comes into effect once your current substantive visa expires, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia while your Partner Visa is processed. Check the conditions of your BVA carefully.
9. Wait for Subclass 820 Grant: The Department assesses your initial application. If successful, you will be granted the Subclass 820 (temporary) visa.
10. Two-Year Waiting Period: You will generally need to wait two years from the date of your initial application before you can be assessed for the permanent Subclass 801 visa. During this time, you must continue to gather evidence of your genuine and continuing relationship.
11. Permanent Visa Assessment (Subclass 801): Approximately 20-22 months after your initial application, the Department will contact you (or your agent) to request further evidence of your ongoing relationship. This is typically done through a "Stage 2" application. You will need to provide updated documents similar to your initial application, focusing on the period since your 820 grant or initial application.
12. Permanent Visa Grant: If the Department is satisfied your relationship is genuine and continuing, you will be granted the Subclass 801 (permanent) visa.

Costs Breakdown (2026)

The Partner Visa is one of the more expensive Australian visa categories. Be prepared for these significant costs:

• Visa Application Charge (VAC): As of the latest information, the base application charge for the Partner (Subclass 820/801) visa is AUD $8,850. This fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages and is paid upfront.
• Additional Applicant Charges:
  • For an additional applicant aged 18 years or over: AUD $4,430
  • For an additional applicant aged under 18 years: AUD $2,215
• Health Examinations: Costs vary depending on your location and the required tests, typically ranging from AUD $300 - $700 per person.
• Police Certificates:
  • Australian Federal Police (AFP) check: AUD $42 (per person).
  • Overseas police checks