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Pathway

Australia Partner Visa, Onshore

Australia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If your spouse or qualifying unmarried partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may apply for the Partner visa from inside Australia. The combined application covers temporary Subclass 820 and permanent Subclass 801. The permanent stage normally becomes ready for assessment two years after the original application.

Where to apply
Inside Australia, while meeting the application-location rules
Supporting partner
An eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen
Relationship
A genuine, continuing marriage or qualifying unmarried partnership; unmarried partners normally need twelve months together unless an exception applies

Summary

The Partner route for applicants in Australia is a combined application for a temporary Partner visa (Subclass 820) and a permanent Partner visa (Subclass 801). It is for the spouse or de facto partner (a partner in a qualifying unmarried relationship) of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is in Australia when applying.

The 820 normally lets the applicant remain in Australia while the permanent stage is pending. Eligibility for 801 assessment usually begins 2 years after the original combined application, not 2 years after the temporary visa grant. A qualifying long-term relationship can sometimes lead to earlier permanent assessment.

Applying for Partner visas 820 and 801
  1. Check the relationship, sponsor, and location rules Confirm the marriage or unmarried-partnership basis and any sponsorship limits.
  2. Submit the combined Partner application Provide records of shared finances, home life, social recognition, and commitment.
  3. Provide updated evidence for the permanent stage Normally from two years after the original application, or when Home Affairs directs.

Permanent residence is a separate decision. Relationship changes and family-violence situations have specific rules.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The couple must be spouses in a marriage valid under Australian law or qualifying de facto partners. The relationship must be genuine and continuing, with mutual commitment to a shared life as an exclusive couple, and the couple must live together or not live separately and apart permanently.

De facto applicants usually need at least 12 months in the de facto relationship immediately before applying. Dating or an online relationship alone is not enough. The 12-month requirement may not apply where the relationship is registered under eligible state or territory law, compelling and compassionate circumstances exist, or specified humanitarian provisions apply.

Home Affairs considers evidence across four practical areas:

The sponsor must meet Australian-status and sponsorship rules. Previous partner sponsorships, the sponsor's own visa history and certain offenses can restrict approval. Applicant and family members must meet identity, health and character requirements.

The applicant must be in Australia when applying and must be eligible to apply from inside the country. A No Further Stay condition limits applications for another visa while in Australia. That condition, a stay without lawful status, or certain earlier refusals can prevent a valid application or require extra checks. Applying often leads to a bridging visa, which may let you stay while the application is decided, but its start date, work rights and travel rules are separate from the Partner application.

What This Route Allows

Once active, the 820 provides temporary residence with full work rights, study at the applicant's own cost, and potential Medicare enrollment. It remains in effect while the 801 application is being finalized unless it ceases under the law.

The 801 gives permanent residence: indefinite stay, work and study rights, Medicare access if eligible, permission to leave and return as a permanent resident for 5 years, potential family sponsorship and a later citizenship route.

If a dependent child needs to be added after the 820 grant but before the 801 decision, the child generally needs Subclass 445 and then must be added using Form 1002 while in Australia.

What This Route Is Not

Submitting the application does not itself extend the current visa or permit travel. A bridging visa generally activates only when the earlier visa (such as a visitor, student, or work visa) ends. A Bridging Visa A normally does not allow re-entry after departure; a person may need a Bridging Visa B before travel.

The permanent 801 is not automatic exactly 2 years after applying. That date starts eligibility for assessment, after which Home Affairs reviews updated relationship and other evidence.

A relationship ending does not always require withdrawal. The application may continue in defined circumstances involving family violence, the sponsor's death, or a child of the relationship. Applicants should use Home Affairs' confidential process and qualified support.

Next Steps

  1. Check the applicant's current visa, expiry date, No Further Stay condition and onshore application rights.
  2. Confirm the marriage or de facto basis and whether the 12-month rule or an exception applies.
  3. Build a consistent relationship timeline and evidence across finances, household, social recognition and commitment.
  4. Check the sponsor's prior sponsorships, relevant criminal history and status.
  5. Submit the combined 820/801 application in ImmiAccount before the current lawful stay ends.
  6. Read the bridging visa grant carefully. Apply for a Bridging Visa B before overseas travel if required.
  7. Update Home Affairs about addresses, passports, travel, births and significant relationship changes.
  8. Complete the permanent-stage information when 2 years have passed from the original application or Home Affairs requests it.

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Discussed in these reports

Other routes in Australia.

Sources