The Onshore Partner Visa is a two-stage permanent residency pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Both stages are applied for together in a single application and one Department fee covers both.
Stage 1 — Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa) Granted while the Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship. A Bridging Visa A is issued to most applicants shortly after lodgement, allowing your partner to remain in Australia lawfully and work while the temporary visa is decided.
Stage 2 — Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa) Assessed approximately two years after the initial application, provided the relationship is genuine and continuing at the time of assessment. No separate application or additional Department fee applies at this stage.
We can help you if:
Your eligibility depends on your relationship, your visa status, and your sponsor. Here is what to check first.
De facto couples must generally show the relationship has existed for at least 12 months before lodgement. Exemptions apply where the relationship is registered under a state or territory law. Registration frameworks differ across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory. We advise on whether an exemption applies to you regardless of where in Australia you are based.
Every 820/801 application is assessed against two things: the strength of your relationship evidence and whether you meet the mandatory health and character requirements. Both must be in order before lodgement.
Relationship evidence is assessed across four categories. Every category must be addressed at lodgement.
The strength of your application depends on how well each category is covered. The sponsor must also submit a separate sponsorship application at the same time. We advise on exactly what is required for your specific circumstances at the initial consultation.
Identity, health, and character checks are mandatory for every applicant and must be completed before lodgement.
Requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances. We confirm exactly what is needed at the initial consultation.
We provide end-to-end legal support for Subclass 820/801 applications across Australia. From your first eligibility assessment to the permanent stage decision, here is what working with us looks like.
"We had already tried to put our application together ourselves and quickly realised how much we were missing. Partner Visa Lawyers reviewed everything, identified the gaps in our evidence, and lodged a complete application within weeks. We felt in control of the process for the first time."
"My situation was complicated. I had a previous visa refusal and my partner and I had spent long periods apart due to work. They understood the risks upfront, built submissions that addressed them directly, and kept us informed at every stage."
"The advice was specific, practical, and honest. We knew exactly what the Department would be looking for and what we needed to provide. No surprises. Just clear legal guidance from people who know partner visas inside out."
One of the most common concerns couples have is not knowing what comes next. This is what the process looks like when you work with us, from start to finish.
Knowing the full cost upfront lets you plan properly and move forward with confidence. Below is a breakdown of the Department's current government application charges.
In addition to the government application charge, most applicants will incur other costs as part of the process, including health examinations, police clearance certificates, and document translation where applicable. These vary depending on your individual circumstances and country of origin. Contact us for a full cost overview tailored to your situation.
A well-prepared, decision-ready application is the single biggest factor within your control when it comes to processing time. The Department's current percentile data for the Subclass 820 and 801 stages is set out below.
Speak with us for an assessment of timeframes based on your specific situation.
