Partner visa in Australia (subclasses 820 and 801): official requirements

The partner visa lets the spouse or de-facto partner of an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealander live in the country. This general guide covers who can apply, the de-facto relationship requirement, and the structure from the provisional (820) to the permanent (801). We don’t promise approval; we point you to the official information.

Who can apply

You can apply if you are married to, or in a de-facto relationship with, an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealander. The official partner visa page details eligibility; the exact conditions and sponsorship rules are set by the government, not by us. The government’s family visa section gives the wider context.

The de-facto relationship requirement

For couples who aren’t married, at least 12 months of demonstrable cohabitation is usually required, with some exceptions (such as certain recognised relationship registrations). The exact duration and evidence are set out on the official partner visa information; it’s worth reviewing before you count the time. Each case is assessed under the current rules.

Structure 820 (provisional) → 801 (permanent)

The process usually starts with subclass 820 (provisional), which grants temporary residence while the application is assessed; later, if the requirements are still met, subclass 801 (permanent) is granted. The official page explains the order and timeframes, which change. The official visa list confirms the current subclasses.

Relationship evidence and official costs

Evidence of a genuine and ongoing relationship is expected: cohabitation, shared finances, social recognition by others, and the nature of your mutual commitment. Official fees exist and are updated; the official fees list and the visa page show the current amounts. We don’t quote figures because they change.

The next step

Eligibility and timeframes depend on your situation and the current rules. If you’d like to look at how this applies to your case, contact us and we’ll go through it with you.

General information · not individual legal advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-27 · Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au