Partner Visa Subclass 820 & 801 - Onshore
The Partner Visa (Subclass 820 and 801) is designed for individuals who are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Initially, applicants are granted the Subclass 820 temporary visa, which allows them to live in Australia for up to two years. After this period, they may become eligible to apply for the Subclass 801 permanent visa, enabling them to stay in Australia permanently. This pathway supports couples in continuing their lives together in Australia while meeting health, character, and relationship requirements.
Benefits and Eligibility
What Are the Benefits of a Partner Visa in Australia?
Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820)
This visa offers several benefits to applicants while they stay in Australia temporarily:
🔹Live in Australia for up to two years
🔹Study in Australia (without government financial aid)
🔹Access Medicare, Australia’s public health care system
Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801)
After holding the Subclass 820 visa, you may become eligible for the permanent visa with added benefits:
🔹Live, work, and stay in Australia indefinitely
🔹Access Medicare
🔹Apply for Australian citizenship, once all eligibility criteria are met
🔹Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency
🔹Travel freely in and out of Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted
Eligibility Criteria
For Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa)
To be eligible, you must:
🔹Be 18 years or older at the time of application
🔹Be physically present in Australia when applying and when the visa is granted
🔹Have a sponsor (your spouse or de facto partner)
🔹Meet the required health and character standards
🔹Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or have made arrangements to repay them
Note: If your partner is under 18, a parent or legal guardian (who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen) can sponsor you.
For Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa)
You may be eligible if:
🔹You already hold a valid Subclass 820 visa
🔹You are in a continuing genuine relationship with your partner, unless there are compassionate or special circumstances
🔹You have complied with all visa conditions under Subclass 820
🔹You have not had any visa cancelled or refused while in Australia on a Subclass 820
Sponsorship Rules and Exceptions
The Australian immigration department may not accept a sponsorship if the sponsor:
🔹Was granted a Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) within the past five years
🔹Has already sponsored two other applicants on a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa
🔹Has sponsored someone else within the last five years
Exceptions apply if:
🔹The previous partner passed away or ended the relationship and the sponsor has young children
🔹The sponsor has been in a relationship with the current partner for two or more years
🔹The sponsor or their current partner has dependent children
Sponsor Responsibilities
As a sponsor, you are expected to provide:
🔹Accommodation
🔹Financial assistance, including help with English language courses if needed
🔹Additional support such as childcare, depending on the partner’s needs
Including Family Members in the Visa
You can include dependent children or stepchildren in your application. They will receive the same visa rights and conditions as the primary applicant.
Health and Character Checks
You and your dependents must:
🔹Complete health checkups within 12 months of submitting your application
🔹Provide police clearance certificates from every country you've lived in for over 12 months during the past 10 years
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