Partner Visa Australia Requirements: Eligibility and Evidence (2026)

Partner visa Australia requirements depend on your relationship, sponsor, location and supporting evidence.

For applicants in Australia, subclass 820 is the temporary Partner visa. It is the first step towards subclass 801.

For applicants outside Australia, subclass 309 is the provisional Partner visa. It is the first step towards subclass 100.

You must generally be in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. You must also meet the applicable health and character requirements.

The application charge is AUD 11,710 for most applicants from 1 July 2026.

For a detailed overview of the available pathways, see our guide to Partner visa pathways in Australia.

Main Partner Visa Requirements

Your current visa status can also matter when you apply from Australia.

Who Is Eligible for a Partner Visa in Australia?

Partner visas are available to spouses and de facto partners of eligible sponsors.

For married applicants, you need to provide evidence of your valid marriage.

For de facto applicants, you generally need to show that the relationship existed for at least 12 months before applying.

There are exceptions to the usual 12-month requirement. Registered relationships can provide an exception in some circumstances, and certain compelling and compassionate circumstances can also be relevant. You should check the rule that applies to your circumstances before lodging the application.

What Relationship Evidence Is Needed?

Relationship evidence is a central part of a Partner visa application. The Department assesses different aspects of your relationship, including financial matters, household arrangements, social aspects and commitment. Your evidence should show how you and your partner share your lives.

Financial Relationship Evidence

Financial evidence shows how you and your partner manage money and financial responsibilities. Examples include:

• Joint bank account statements
• Joint mortgage or lease documents
• Joint loans
• Household bills in both names
• Evidence of shared financial responsibilities

You do not need to submit every financial document you have. Choose documents that clearly explain how you share financial responsibilities.

Household Relationship Evidence

Household evidence should show how you manage your home together. Examples include:

• Evidence of your shared address
• Household bills
• Mail addressed to both partners
• Statements explaining household responsibilities
• Evidence of joint responsibility for children

Your household evidence should match the relationship history you provide.

Social Relationship Evidence

Social evidence helps show that other people know about your relationship. Examples include:

• Joint invitations
• Travel records
• Evidence of shared social activities
• Evidence of friends you have in common
• Evidence that you have told organisations about your relationship

You must provide statements from 2 eligible witnesses. Form 888 can be used for these supporting statements, subject to additional requirements in some circumstances.

Commitment Relationship Evidence

Commitment evidence shows that your relationship is continuing and long term. You can provide evidence about:

• How your relationship developed
• Time spent apart
• Communication when separated
• Your knowledge of each other's lives
• Your future plans
• How you have combined your personal lives

The Department may ask you to explain your relationship history in writing. A clear timeline can help connect your relationship history with your supporting documents.

What Documents Are Needed?

The required documents depend on your personal circumstances. Most applicants should prepare documents covering several areas.

Documents that are not written in English must be translated into English. You should provide clear copies of supporting documents and organise them before lodging the application.

Do not submit unrelated documents simply to increase the size of your application. Each document should support a requirement or explain your circumstances.

Subclass 820 vs 309: What's the Difference?

Your location when you apply determines the main Partner visa pathway.

Subclass 820 is the temporary Partner visa for applicants who apply in Australia. It is the first step towards subclass 801.

Subclass 309 is the provisional Partner visa for applicants who apply outside Australia. It is the first step towards subclass 100.

Your location and individual visa circumstances determine which pathway may apply.

How Does the 820/801 Process Work?

The subclass 820 and 801 applications are linked. You apply for the temporary and permanent Partner visas together.

Subclass 820 is the temporary stage. Subclass 801 is the permanent stage.

You become eligible for consideration of the permanent visa two years after applying for the temporary and permanent Partner visas. You may need to provide additional relationship evidence at the permanent stage, and your relationship must continue to meet the relevant requirements.

You should keep your personal details updated in ImmiAccount during processing.

How Much Does a Partner Visa Cost?

The current Partner visa application charge is AUD 11,710 for most applicants. This charge applies from 1 July 2026 and covers the temporary and permanent Partner visa stages.

Other costs can apply to your application. These may include health examinations, police certificates, translations and other applicable expenses.

The Department recommends using its Visa Pricing Estimator to check the amount that applies to your circumstances. Visa charges can change, so check the current amount before lodging.

Related reading: our latest Australian visa fees guide.

How Long Does a Partner Visa Take?

The Department currently lists processing times for recently decided Partner visa applications.

Published median processing times for Partner provisional and temporary visas have moved through the 16 to 20 month range at different points in 2026. This figure is a guide only. It is not a guaranteed timeframe for your application, and it updates monthly on the Department's site.

Processing can take longer when the Department needs more information or documents. A complete application can help reduce delays caused by missing information, and you should respond to requests from the Department within the required timeframe.

Do not make travel or financial plans based only on the published median.

How Do You Apply?

The subclass 820 application is lodged online through ImmiAccount. You must be in Australia when applying for subclass 820.

The application process requires you to:

• Log in to ImmiAccount
• Select the relevant family application
• Complete the application
• Attach the required documents
• Pay the application charge
• Submit the application
• Give your Transaction Reference Number to your sponsor
• Have your sponsor complete the sponsorship process

The Department recommends attaching supporting documents to your completed application. Clearly label your documents and keep a copy of your completed application.

Before lodging, check your current visa and its conditions. Confirm whether you are applying as a married or de facto couple, and check that your relationship timeline matches your supporting documents. Review your identity, health and character documents before submitting the application.

After lodging, monitor ImmiAccount for requests from the Department, and update the Department if relevant circumstances change during processing.

Ready to check your Partner visa pathway?

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