Planning to join your partner in Australia? The 820 partner visa — formally known as the Partner (Temporary) visa subclass 820 — is one of the most commonly applied-for visas in Australia's family stream migration program. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the partner visa category consistently accounts for a significant portion of all family visas granted each year, with tens of thousands of applications processed annually. Yet many applicants underestimate how document-intensive, time-consuming, and procedurally demanding this visa truly is. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the partner visa subclass 820, including requirements, application steps, processing timelines, costs, and important visa conditions.
The visa 820 is a temporary partner visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live, work, and study in Australia while their permanent partner visa (subclass 801) is being assessed.
This visa is designed for applicants who are already in Australia when they apply. It forms the first stage of the onshore partner visa pathway.
The subclass 820 and the subclass 801 (Permanent Partner) are lodged together as a combined application. You do not need to apply separately for the 801 — it is automatically considered after the 820 is granted, typically two years after the original application date.
This dual-stage process reflects Australia's commitment to verifying that relationships are genuine and ongoing before granting permanent residency.
Allows the applicant to live in Australia with their partner
Full work rights
Ability to study in Australia
Access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
Opportunity to apply for permanent residency through Subclass 801
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the 820 visa subclass is one of the most common partner visas for couples already living in Australia together.
The 820 temporary partner visa is the first stage of Australia’s onshore partner visa pathway and forms part of the broader Australian partner visa program. It allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to remain in Australia while their permanent partner visa is processed.
This 820 temporary visa enables applicants to live, work, and study in Australia legally. It also provides access to Medicare in many cases and serves as the bridge toward the permanent Subclass 801 visa.
Unlike visitor or student visas, the partner visa subclass 820 is specifically designed for couples who are already in Australia and want to continue their life together while the government assesses their eligibility for permanent residency.
The 820 visa subclass remains valid until the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision on the permanent partner visa stage under the Australian partner visa pathway.
The Australian partner visa 820 is designed for individuals who are in a genuine and continuing relationship with their Australian partner. You must meet specific requirements related to your relationship status, sponsor's identity, and your own lawful presence in Australia.
You are married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible sponsor
Your sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
You must be at least 18 years of age (with limited exceptions for spouse applicants)
You and your sponsor must be in a genuine, continuing relationship
You must not be subject to certain character or health bar criteria under the Migration Act 1958
Both married and de facto couples (including same-sex couples) are eligible. The de facto visa Australia recognises under the partner visa framework requires you to demonstrate that you have been living together in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months prior to application — unless you are applying with a prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) or can demonstrate compelling circumstances.
The 820 visa accepts two types of relationships:
If you are legally married to your Australian partner, you may apply for the visa 820 provided the relationship is genuine.
Couples who have lived together for at least 12 months may apply under the de facto category. In some cases, the 12-month requirement can be waived if the relationship is registered in an Australian state or territory.
The Department of Home Affairs evaluates applications across four key dimensions when assessing 820 visa requirements. These are not checkboxes — they require substantive evidence.
Below are the key 820 visa requirements.
Applicants must demonstrate that their relationship is genuine. Immigration officers typically evaluate four aspects:
Financial aspects
Household arrangements
Social recognition
Nature of commitment
Evidence may include:
Joint bank accounts
Shared bills
Lease agreements
Photos and travel history
Statements from friends and family
The sponsoring partner must be:
An Australian citizen
Australian permanent resident
Eligible New Zealand citizen
Sponsors must also meet certain character requirements.
Applicants must complete medical examinations to ensure they meet Australia's health standards.
Police clearance certificates may be required from countries where the applicant has lived for 12 months or more during the past 10 years.
Applicants must be physically present in Australia when applying for the 820 partner visa application.
Submitting complete documentation significantly improves the chances of approval for the partner visa subclass 820.
Common documents include:
Passport
Birth certificate
National identity card (if applicable)
Marriage certificate (if married)
Proof of living together
Joint financial records
Photos of the couple
Travel records
Police clearance certificates
Health examination reports
Statutory declarations from friends or family
The Department of Home Affairs also requires Form 888, which includes statements from Australian citizens or permanent residents confirming the relationship.
Submitting an 820 partner visa application involves multiple stages, and being thorough at each one is critical.
Before preparing documents, verify that you and your sponsor meet all the eligibility criteria listed above.
Both the applicant and the sponsor must create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs portal (online.immi.gov.au). This is where the application is lodged.
This is the most time-consuming step. Required documents typically include:
Valid passports for both applicant and sponsor
Birth certificates and marriage certificate (if applicable)
Police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12+ months since age 16
Completed medical examination (via an approved panel physician)
Statutory declarations from both the couple and third parties
Evidence across all four relationship categories
Form 47SP (Application for Migration to Australia by a Partner)
Form 40SP (Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia)
As of the latest update, the base application charge for the Partner Visa (Subclass 820) is approximately AUD 9,365 for the primary applicant. Visa fees may change periodically, so applicants should always check the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs for the most current amounts. Additional applicant fees apply for any dependent children or other secondary applicants included in the application. Note that visa fees are non-refundable even if the application is refused.
Submit through ImmiAccount. You will receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) as confirmation.
Once lodged, if your current visa is expiring, you will typically be placed on a Bridging Visa A (BVA), which allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is being processed.
Processing times for the Australian partner visa 820 are notoriously variable. The Department of Home Affairs publishes indicative processing times on its website, but these are estimates and not guarantees.
Based on publicly available data from the Department of Home Affairs:
• 75% of applications have been processed within approximately 17 to 24 months
• 90% of applications have been processed within approximately 28 to 36 months or longer, depending on the complexity and volume of applications
Factors that can affect processing time include:
Completeness and quality of the initial application
Security and character check outcomes
Medical assessment results
Whether additional information is requested (a Request for Further Information, or RFI)
Current application queue volumes at the relevant processing centre
Note: The Department of Home Affairs does not accept requests to expedite partner visa processing except in documented compelling circumstances (e.g., serious medical condition of a dependent).
Once granted, the 820 temporary partner visa (sometimes called the 820 temporary visa) allows you to:
Live and work in Australia without restriction
Study in Australia (though Medicare and government-subsidised study may have limitations)
Travel to and from Australia (though re-entry rights depend on conditions attached)
Enrol in Medicare (Australia's public health insurance scheme)
Important 820 visa conditions to be aware of:
You must notify the Department of Home Affairs of any change in relationship status
The relationship must be genuine and continuing throughout the visa period
Condition 8503 (no further stay) must NOT be on your current visa when you apply — otherwise, you may need a waiver
Some 820 visas may include Condition 8101 (no work), but this is rare and depends on circumstances
The visa generally remains valid until a decision is made on the permanent partner subclass 820 to 801 pathway — which is typically reviewed two years after the original application lodgement date.
Receiving the 820 visa subclass offers several advantages for couples living in Australia.
Holders of the 820 visa can work full-time in Australia.
Applicants can enroll in Australian education institutions.
Many applicants become eligible for Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
After approximately two years, applicants may be assessed for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa.
The 820 visa subclass is designed as a stepping stone, not an end destination. Once two years have passed from the date of your original application, the Department of Home Affairs will review your case for the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
At this review stage, you will need to demonstrate that:
Your relationship is still genuine and ongoing
Your sponsor is still eligible
You continue to meet health and character requirements
If you were in the relationship for less than three years (or less than two years if you have a dependent child together) at the time of the original application, you will remain on the 820 temporary visa until the two-year review. If you have been together for longer and can prove it, you may be eligible for a faster pathway to the 801.
Holding the 820 partner visa and eventually transitioning to the 801 is one of the more established routes to Australian permanent residency for partners of Australian citizens and residents.
While many applications are approved, the partner subclass 820 can be refused if requirements are not met.
Common reasons include:
Lack of documentation proving a genuine relationship.
Conflicting statements between partners.
Missing documents can delay or jeopardize approval.
If the sponsoring partner does not meet immigration criteria. Careful preparation of the 820 partner visa application is therefore critical.
Applying for the Australian partner visa 820 involves detailed documentation, legal requirements, and strict immigration assessments. Professional guidance can help reduce mistakes and improve the quality of the application.
At Edunest Consultant, migration advisors assist couples with:
Understanding 820 visa requirements
Preparing strong relationship evidence
Managing documentation and submissions
Navigating the 820 partner visa application process
Responding to immigration requests
With expert guidance, applicants can approach the process with greater confidence and clarity.
The subclass 820 visa is a temporary visa allowing partners to stay in Australia while waiting for permanent residency. The Subclass 801 visa is the permanent stage granted after relationship assessment.
Processing times vary, but according to the Department of Home Affairs, many applications take 12–24 months depending on documentation and background checks.
Yes. The 820 temporary partner visa allows applicants to work full-time in Australia.
De facto couples generally must have lived together for at least 12 months, unless the relationship is officially registered.
If you hold a Bridging Visa A, you must apply for a Bridging Visa B before traveling internationally.
The partner visa application charge starts from approximately AUD 8,850, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
The 820 partner visa is an important pathway for couples who want to build their lives together in Australia. While the process may seem complex, careful preparation, strong documentation, and a clear understanding of the 820 visa requirements can significantly improve your chances of success.
From gathering relationship evidence to submitting a complete 820 partner visa application, each step plays a crucial role in the outcome.
If you are planning to apply for the partner visa subclass 820, professional guidance can help simplify the journey and ensure your application meets immigration standards.
For personalized support and expert assistance with your 820 visa application, consider consulting trusted migration advisors like Edunest Consultant.
