Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Partner Visa for Australia (Without the Stress)

A partner visa lets you bring your relationship to Australia, which is one of the most attractive places in the world, where you can start a new life together. To get a partner visa for Australia, you have to deal with a lot of complicated immigration rules, gather a lot of strong proof, and show that your relationship is real. Even though it’s hard, every year thousands of couples make it through this path. While challenging, thousands of couples complete this journey each year.

At Yes People, we’ve guided countless couples through their partner visa applications, helping them avoid common pitfalls and maximise their chances of approval. This guide will walk you through how to apply partner visa for Australia in brief. Let’s get into it:

What Is a Partner Visa and Why Does It Matter?

A partner visa is a special kind of visa that allows people in a committed relationship with an 

Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live together in Australia. It includes married couples, de facto partners ( those living together in a real relationship), and same-sex couples. 

This matters because the pain of separating from your partner isn’t just sad, it can also be stressful. Many couples have to live separately due to work, study or immigration rules, but with a partner visa, one can be together so they can build a real life in Australia. 

But applying for a partner visa can be challenging. And why not when there are various types of partner visas, which require separate checklists, documents, and different relationship stories, or maybe you need help from Yes People before jumping into the visa process!

Types of Partner Visas in Australia

Before beginning the application, it’s crucial to understand which partner visa pathway suits your situation: 

Subclass 820/810 (Onshore Partner Visa)

• This visa is for people already in Australia.

• You apply for the temporary 820 visa first. This temporary visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia while your permanent visa is processed.

• Later, you can move to the permanent 801 visa. This visa is granted after a two-year period, provided the relationship is ongoing and genuine. 

Subclass 309/100 (Offshore Partner Visa)

• This visa is for people outside Australia when they apply.

• Like the onshore visa, it starts with a temporary (309) visa and then leads to a permanent (100) visa. 

• Temporary 309 allows you to enter and stay in Australia while awaiting a permanent visa decision. A two-year period is required for a permanent visa. 

Choosing the Right Visa

Where you are when you apply for and get the visa is the main difference between an onshore and an overseas partner visa. If you’re already in Australia, the local visa (Subclass 820/801) is what you need. If you’re not in Australia, the overseas visa (Subclass 309/100) is a good way to get in.

To better understand how to apply partner visa for Australia, it helps to speak with experts like Yes People, who provide professional Visa Services in Sydney and step-by-step support.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Partner Visa in Australia

Applying for a partner visa can be frustrating, but if you’re aware of the step-by-step application process, it can be game-changing. That’s why, yes, people have come up with a full breakdown. 

Here’s the easy guide for applying with a partner visa requirement for Australia. 

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Before investing time and money in applying for a partner visa for Australia, you need to verify this basic requirement:

• You’re in a genuine and continuing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen
• Your relationship is either:
  • A legally recognized marriage
  • A de facto relationship (living together for at least 12 months, with some exceptions) 
  • A registered relationship under Australian state/territory law
• Your sponsor is eligible to support your application
• You meet health and character requirements
• You have no visa conditions preventing further applications

Step 2: Gather Essential Documents

This part of your application might be the most important one. On your list for an Australian partner visa, you should have:

Relationship Evidence:

• Financial aspects (joint accounts, shared expenses, financial commitments)
• Household types (living arrangements, shared responsibilities)
• Social setting (how others recognise your relationship)
• Commitment to each other (plans, communication during separation)

Identity Documents:

• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Divorce documents (if previously married)
• Police clearances from all countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months

Supporting Statements:

• Form 888 statutory declarations from Australian citizens/PR holders who know your relationship
• Personal statements from both the partner and the sponsor
• Timeline of your relationship

Step 3: Register and Log in to the Immi Account

The Department’s ImmiAccount site is where all partner visa applications must be sent:

• At immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, make an ImmiAccount.
• Check your email address.
• Setting up accounts for both the applicant and the sponsor
• Link your application

This system will be your central platform for all communication with the Department throughout the process.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

In submitting an Australian partner visa application, the process itself is:

• Selecting the correct visa subclass (820/801 or 309/100)
• Completing all required forms online
• Stapling your evidence documents
• Verifying everything is correct
• Submitting the completed application

Be thorough but remain organised. Quality is better than quantity—neatly separated relevant evidence will do more good than lots of documentation.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee

Partner visa application fee is also quite high (currently approximately $8,000) and must be paid upon lodgment. Payment options are:

• Credit/debit card
• PayPal
• BPAY (for applications from Australia)

The fee covers the temporary and permanent stages of your partner visa. Additional fees may include health tests, police certificates, and document translation.

Step 6: Wait and Respond to Any Requests

Following the lodgment of your application for an Australian partner visa, expect:

• Acknowledgement of receipt (usually immediate)
• An invitation for health examinations
• A request for further information (possible)
• An interview request (possible)

Throughout this waiting period, continue to build your evidence of your current relationship. Any relevant changes (address, relationship status, employment) should be reported as soon as possible to the Department.

Step 7: Outcome and Permanent Stage

If your application is accepted, you will be given a short visa (subclass 820 or 309) at first. After about two years, the Department will decide if you can get the permanent partner visa (subclass 801 or 100).

For the second evaluation, new proof must be shown that the connection is still real and going strong. Once the permanent visa is granted, the holder can live in Australia indefinitely and has the chance to become an Australian citizen.

Further Read: Assessment Level 2: The New Doorway for Nepalese Students to Australia

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Be careful not to make these common mistakes when applying for an Australian partner visa:

Not Enough Proof: Not providing sufficient proof in all four areas of the relationship

Discrepancies: Discrepancies in partner and sponsor statements

Timing Errors: Misjudging the timing for making onshore applications or leaving Australia at an inappropriate time

Omission of Requirements: Omitting vital documents like police clearances or health exams

Disorganized Presentation: Making it difficult for case officers to find and assess your evidence

These mistakes might create delays, refusals to offer additional information, or refusals altogether. Utilizing professional visa services in Sydney or other urban regions can help you avoid these common mistakes.

Costs and Timelines

A realistic quotation for your partner visa budget ought to include:

• Application Fee: Approximately $8,000 (subject to change)
• Health Examinations: $300-$500 per person
• Police Certificates: $50-$150 per country
• Translation Services: If required for non-English documents
• Professional Assistance: Varies based on service level

Processing times typically range from 12-24 months, though this varies based on case complexity, visa subclass, and Departmental workloads. Priority processing may be available in compassionate circumstances.

Why Work with Yes People?

Navigating the partner visa application process can be overwhelming. Our team at Yes People specializes in simplifying this journey:

• Expertise: Registered migration agents with specific partner visa experience
• Personalised Direction: Personalised direction specifically for your own relationship case
• Evidence Strategy: Support with distilling and organizing your strongest relationship evidence
• Application Management: Professional handling of your entire application
• Communication Support: Supports with Departmental correspondence and requests

Our clients always say that the process makes them feel less stressed, makes them more confident in their applications, and boosts their overall confidence. After initial problems with self-application, many people have been able to get their partner visas.

Conclusion

Putting in an application for an Australian partner visa is a big step toward your future together. Even though the process is complicated, your chances of success are much higher if you know what is needed and work on your application in a planned way.

Regardless of whether you go through this process yourself or with the aid of a professional, correct preparation is your best weapon. Concentrate on showing the sincerity of your relationship in all areas necessary, and pay close attention to every detail along the way.

Ready to proceed with your partner visa? Let Yes People do the steering for you with expert advice tailored to your situation. Contact us now for a first consultation and find out how we can make your Australian life together a reality.

FAQs

1. What a partner visa in Australia needs to have?

You need to show a genuine and ongoing relationship, pass health and character checks, and provide strong evidence like shared finances, living arrangements, and commitment.

2. Is partner visa Australia expensive? 

Yes, the application starts at around AUD 8,000, with extra costs for medicals, police checks, translations, and possibly migration agent fees.

3. Can you stay in Australia until you obtain your partner visa?

If you apply onshore for the 820 visa, you’ll get a Bridging Visa to stay legally in Australia until a decision is made.

4. How do I know the difference between a 309 and 820 visa? 

The 309 visa is for applicants outside Australia, while the 820 is for those inside Australia and includes a Bridging Visa to stay during processing.

5. What are the benefits of a partner visa?

It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, sponsor family, and apply for citizenship after meeting residency requirements.