Citizeo
Pathway

Australia Partner Visa, Onshore

Australia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Australia's onshore Partner visa is for a spouse, de facto partner, or registered partner of an eligible Australian sponsor who is applying from inside Australia. It generally requires a genuine continuing relationship, sponsor eligibility, identity and character checks, and evidence supporting the partnership.

Type
Family residence
Sponsor
People joining a qualifying family member in Australia
Core requirements
Relationship records and the sponsor's status
What to know
The sponsor's status and documents matter a lot
Duration
Subclass 820 is temporary; Subclass 801 is the permanent stage.
Renewal / path
Permanent-stage review normally follows after the relationship evidence period.

Summary

The onshore Partner route is a combined application for a temporary Partner visa (Subclass 820) and a permanent Partner visa (Subclass 801). It is for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is in Australia when applying.

The 820 normally lets the applicant remain in Australia while the permanent stage is pending. Eligibility for 801 assessment usually begins 2 years after the original combined application, not 2 years after the temporary visa grant. A qualifying long-term relationship can sometimes lead to earlier permanent assessment.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

The couple must be spouses in a marriage valid under Australian law or qualifying de facto partners. The relationship must be genuine and continuing, with mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of others, and the couple must live together or not live separately and apart permanently.

De facto applicants usually need at least 12 months in the de facto relationship immediately before applying. Dating or an online relationship alone is not enough. The 12-month requirement may not apply where the relationship is registered under eligible state or territory law, compelling and compassionate circumstances exist, or specified humanitarian provisions apply.

Home Affairs considers evidence across four practical areas:

The sponsor must meet Australian-status and sponsorship rules. Previous partner sponsorships, the sponsor's own visa history and certain offenses can restrict approval. Applicant and family members must meet identity, health and character requirements.

The applicant must be in Australia when lodging and must be allowed to make a valid onshore application. A No Further Stay condition, unlawful status or particular previous refusal can create serious issues. Lodging often leads to a bridging visa, but its start date, work rights and travel rules are separate from the Partner application.

What This Route Allows

Once active, the 820 provides temporary residence with full work rights, study at the applicant's own cost, and potential Medicare enrollment. It remains in effect while the 801 application is being finalized unless it ceases under the law.

The 801 gives permanent residence: indefinite stay, work and study rights, Medicare access if eligible, a 5-year travel facility, potential family sponsorship and a later citizenship route.

If a dependent child needs to be added after the 820 grant but before the 801 decision, the child generally needs Subclass 445 and then must be added using Form 1002 while in Australia.

What This Route Is Not

Lodging the application does not itself extend the current visa or permit travel. A bridging visa generally activates only when the prior substantive visa ends. A Bridging Visa A normally does not allow re-entry after departure; a person may need a Bridging Visa B before travel.

The permanent 801 is not automatic exactly 2 years after lodgment. That date starts eligibility for assessment, after which Home Affairs reviews updated relationship and other evidence.

A relationship ending does not always require withdrawal. The application may continue in defined circumstances involving family violence, the sponsor's death, or a child of the relationship. Applicants should use Home Affairs' confidential process and qualified support.

Next Steps

  1. Check the applicant's current visa, expiry date, No Further Stay condition and onshore application rights.
  2. Confirm the marriage or de facto basis and whether the 12-month rule or an exception applies.
  3. Build a consistent relationship timeline and evidence across finances, household, social recognition and commitment.
  4. Check the sponsor's prior sponsorships, relevant criminal history and status.
  5. Lodge the combined 820/801 application in ImmiAccount before the current lawful stay ends.
  6. Read the bridging visa grant carefully. Apply for a Bridging Visa B before overseas travel if required.
  7. Update Home Affairs about addresses, passports, travel, births and material relationship changes.
  8. Complete the permanent-stage information when 2 years have passed from the original application or Home Affairs requests it.
Compare your options

Other routes in Australia.

Sources