News & Update
Divided from your partner by borders? The Australia Partner Visa is the most straightforward way for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents to live, work, and study in Australia - permanently. In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs has raised its expectations on application readiness, and it's never been more important to prepare early.
This guide answers the three questions most applicants want to know: who is eligible, whether to apply onshore or offshore, and how to lodge the application.
Understanding the Australia Partner Visa in 2026
The Australia Partner Visa is a two-stage pathway leading to permanent residency. Your location when you apply determines which stream you use:
- Onshore - Subclass 820/801: for applicants already in Australia
- Offshore - Subclass 309/100: for applicants outside Australia
The two streams work the same way - you get a temporary visa first, then change to a permanent visa after about two years, as long as your relationship is still real and continuing.
2026 Major Change: The Department now expects applications to be ready for decision when lodged. You have to give all the health checks, police clearances, and proof of relationship up front. There are no routine follow-up requests being sent.
Australia Partner Visa Eligibility Requirements 2026
To be eligible for the Australia Partner Visa in 2026, both the applicant and the sponsor must meet a set of requirements set out by the Department of Home Affairs.
Applicant Must:
- Be the de facto or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Be in an genuine and continuing relationship
- Meet health requirements with an approved panel physician
- Submit police clearances from all countries where you lived for 12 months or more
- No outstanding debt to the Australian government
Sponsor Must:
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must not have a serious criminal record, especially for offences involving violence or children
- Not be under an active sponsorship bar
Married vs De Facto
Married couples can apply. Generally, de facto couples must prove that they have lived together for a minimum of 12 months, unless the relationship is registered with a state or territory registry in Australia, in which case the 12-month rule may not apply.
Proving Relationship Genuineness
This is the most scrutinised part of the application. The Department assesses genuineness across four pillars:
| Pillar | Evidence Examples |
|---|---|
| Financial | Joint bank accounts, shared bills, co-signed loans |
| Household | Joint lease or mortgage, utility bills in both names |
| Social | Photos together, statutory declarations from family/friends |
| Commitment | Knowledge of each other's lives, plans, and relationship length |
Weak evidence in any one pillar can delay or sink an application, even if the relationship is real.
Onshore vs Offshore Partner Visa Australia: Which One Applies to You?
Where you are physically located when you lodge your application decides everything.
Onshore Partner Visa - Subclass 820/801
The onshore stream is for applicants who are in Australia at the time of lodgement and at the time the visa is granted.
- You need to have a valid visa (tourist, student, work, or other) to apply
- If you make an application for a visa, you will be granted a bridging visa, which will allow you to stay lawfully in Australia and work unrestricted until your application is decided.
- You don't need to leave Australia at all
- 820 stage processing time for temporary: 12 -24 months
Best for: Couples already living together in Australia who cannot afford any interruption to their stay.
Offshore Partner Visa - Subclass 309/100
The offshore stream is for applicants who are outside Australia at lodgement and at the time of grant.
- You must be outside of Australia when the visa is determined
- Once the temporary 309 is approved, you can go to Australia and live, work, and study straight away
- In long relationships, the temporary and permanent visas are sometimes granted together.
- Temporary 309 stage processing time: 12-28 months
Best for: Couples living in different countries who are reuniting in Australia.
| Feature | Onshore 820/801 | Offshore 309/100 |
|---|---|---|
| Location at lodgement | In Australia | Outside Australia |
| Bridging visa | Yes, work rights included | No |
| Processing time (temp stage) | 10–24 months | 12–24 months |
| Can work during processing? | Yes (via bridging visa) | Only after the grant |
How to Apply for a Partner Visa in Australia 2026
Step 1 - Confirm eligibility
Both you and your sponsor must meet all requirements above before lodgement.
Step 2 - Gather documents upfront
Given the 2026 decision-ready requirement, prepare everything before you lodge:
- Valid passport and a birth certificate
- Certificate of marriage or proof of de facto relationship
- Health examination results (done by a Department-approved panel physician)
- Police clearances from any country in which you have lived for 12 months or more
- Evidence of a relationship for all four pillars
Step 3 - Create an ImmiAccount and lodge online
Apply online through ImmiAccount at the Department of Home Affairs website. The temporary and permanent stages are combined in one application; you only pay once and submit once.
Step 4 - Pay the government fee
The government application fee varies and is regularly updated - check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current amount before you lodge.
Step 5 - Wait and respond promptly
Respond as soon as you can when the Department requests more documents. The longer you take to answer, the longer it takes to process.
Step 6 - Transition to permanent visa
The Department assesses you for the permanent visa (801 or 100) two years from the date that you lodged your application. At this stage, you have to prove that your relationship is still genuine and ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my partner visa application is being processed?
Yes - Onshore applicants (820) are issued a bridging visa with work rights. Offshore applicants (309) must not work in Australia until the visa is granted.
What does the Australia Partner Visa cost in 2026?
The government application fee for the primary applicant is approximately AUD $9,365, and this fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages in one payment.
The government application fee is payable at lodgement and covers both the temporary and permanent visa stages. Visit the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing page for the exact current amount before you apply
How long does the Australia Partner Visa take in 2026?
Onshore (820): 10-24 months for the temporary phase. Offshore (309): 12-24 months. The permanent visa stage is considered approximately 2 years from the lodgement date.
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Summary
Preparation is essential for the Australia Partner Visa 2026. The Department's shift to decision-ready applications means that rushing to lodge without full documentation is now a costly mistake. The basics are the same whether you are applying onshore or offshore: a genuine relationship, a strong evidence package, and a sponsor who meets the requirements.
