Partner Visa Australia Cost And Requirements

Partner Visa Australia Requirements

To qualify for an Australian Partner visa, the applicant must generally be the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible sponsor. The sponsor is generally an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant must also satisfy the applicable health and character requirements and provide evidence supporting the claimed relationship.

For a spouse relationship, evidence can include documents showing that the marriage is legally recognised and that the relationship is genuine and continuing. For a de facto relationship, applicants generally need to demonstrate the nature and duration of the relationship and satisfy the applicable de facto relationship requirements. Evidence should present a consistent picture of the couple's shared life rather than relying on a single document.

The Department of Home Affairs describes the 820/801 pathway as an onshore pathway: the applicant must be in Australia when applying for the subclass 820. The 820 is the temporary stage, followed by assessment for the permanent subclass 801. For the 309/100 pathway, the applicant must be outside Australia when applying for the subclass 309. The 309 is the provisional stage leading to the permanent subclass 100.

820/801 vs 309/100 Partner Visa

Other Partner Visa Costs to Consider

The government application charge is only one part of the total partner visa Australia cost. Applicants may also need to budget for health examinations, police certificates from relevant countries, translations of documents that are not in English and other evidence-related expenses. If you engage a migration professional, professional fees are separate from the Department of Home Affairs application charge.

Partner visa applications can involve substantial documentation. Preparing relationship evidence carefully and ensuring that information is consistent across the application can be important. The Department of Home Affairs also notes that Partner visa processing times vary and that applicants may experience longer processing times than expected. Current processing information should be checked through the Department's Family Migration Program information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a Partner visa cost in Australia in 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the main government application charge is AUD $11,710 for the primary applicant for the standard 820/801 or 309/100 Partner visa pathway. Other costs such as health examinations, police certificates and translations may also apply.

2. How much does the Partner visa 820/801 cost?

From 1 July 2026, the standard primary applicant charge for the combined subclass 820/801 pathway is AUD $11,710. This is paid when the application is lodged and covers the temporary and permanent stages of the standard pathway.

3. How much does the Partner visa 309/100 cost?

From 1 July 2026, the standard primary applicant charge for the combined subclass 309/100 pathway is AUD $11,710. Additional applicant charges and other expenses may apply depending on the circumstances of the application.

4. What are the main Partner visa Australia requirements?

The applicant generally needs to be the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The relationship must meet the applicable requirements, and the applicant and sponsor must satisfy relevant health, character and other visa criteria.

5. What is the difference between the 820/801 and 309/100 Partner visas?

The 820/801 pathway is for applicants who apply while in Australia, while the 309/100 pathway is for applicants who apply while outside Australia. Each pathway has a temporary or provisional first stage followed by assessment for a permanent Partner visa.