Partner Visa (820/801 and 309/100)
For partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents. A two-stage visa leading to permanent residency, and the most expensive common application.
Subclass 820/801 & 309/100 · Last reviewed: 21 September 2026 · Official visa page
Key eligibility
- • Married to, or in a de facto relationship with, your partner
- • Your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- • Your partner sponsors your application
- • De facto applicants generally need 12 months of cohabitation, unless the relationship is registered
- • Aged 18 or over
- • Meet health and character requirements
The partner visa is for people in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. It runs in two stages: a temporary visa first, then permanent residency once the relationship has been shown to continue.
It is the most expensive commonly used Australian visa and one of the slowest. It is also the one where preparation makes the most difference, because the whole assessment turns on how well you document a relationship.
Onshore or offshore: which one applies to you
Your location when you lodge decides which pair of subclasses you apply under, and it is not a free choice.
| Onshore | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you are when lodging | In Australia | Outside Australia |
| Temporary visa | Subclass 820 | Subclass 309 |
| Permanent visa | Subclass 801 | Subclass 100 |
| Can you wait in Australia? | Usually yes, on a bridging visa | No, not until the 309 is granted |
| Work rights while waiting | Usually yes | No |
For Irish applicants the practical difference is significant. Lodging onshore generally means a bridging visa that lets you stay and work while the application is processed. Lodging from Ireland means waiting in Ireland until the temporary visa is granted, which can be a long separation.
There is also the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) for engaged couples intending to marry, which carries the same charge.
Married or de facto
Both routes are available, and same-sex relationships are treated the same as opposite-sex relationships.
If you are married, the marriage must be valid and recognised under Australian law. An Irish civil or religious marriage normally is.
If you are de facto, you generally need to show at least 12 months of living together in a genuine and continuing relationship, to the exclusion of others. Two things can change that:
- Registering the relationship. Some Australian states and territories allow relationships to be registered, and a registered relationship removes the 12-month requirement. If you are in Australia together and short of 12 months, this is worth looking into early.
- Compelling circumstances. These are assessed case by case and are not something to rely on.
Time spent apart does not automatically disqualify you, but it has to be explained.
The four pillars of evidence
The Department assesses your relationship across four aspects. Strong applications document all four rather than piling up material on one.
Financial. Joint bank accounts, shared bills and rent, evidence of pooled money, major purchases made together, and how you divide expenses.
Social. That others recognise you as a couple — joint invitations, photos with family and friends over time, travel together, statements from people who know you both. Australian sponsors' families writing supporting statements carries real weight here.
Household. How you run a home together: a lease or mortgage in both names, utilities, mail at the same address, how domestic responsibilities are divided.
Nature of the commitment. Your knowledge of each other's circumstances and history, the length of the relationship, and your intentions. This is where your personal relationship statements sit.
Both of you write a relationship statement covering how you met, how it developed, periods apart and your plans. Two statements that contradict each other on basic facts do more harm than thin evidence, so write them properly rather than in a hurry.
Sponsorship
Your partner sponsors you, and sponsorship is an undertaking with obligations, including providing financial support and accommodation where needed. Your sponsor also has to meet character requirements and disclose relevant history, and there are limits on how many people someone can sponsor and how often.
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant charge | AUD 11,710 |
| Additional applicants | Further charges apply |
| Health examinations | Varies |
| Police certificates | Garda vetting, plus any other country lived in |
| Document translation | If applicable |
The charge covers both stages, so you do not pay it again at the permanent stage. It is generally not refunded if the application is refused, which is the main reason people have partner applications reviewed before lodging rather than after.
See our visa costs page for how this compares with other visa types, and confirm the current figure on the official fee schedule before paying.
Coming from a Working Holiday visa
This is a common path for Irish applicants: a Working Holiday year, a relationship formed in Australia, then an onshore 820.
It generally works, but check your current visa for condition 8503, "no further stay", which would prevent you applying onshore. Working Holiday visas do not usually carry it, but visitor visas sometimes do. Plan the application well before your current visa expires — our 417 page covers the timing of transitions out of a Working Holiday year.
One practical point on timing. De facto applicants generally need 12 months of cohabitation, and a second Working Holiday year is often what gives people the time to reach it lawfully rather than scrambling as a first visa runs out. If the relationship is recent and your visa is not, that sequence is worth considering early.
What slows applications down
- Evidence concentrated on one pillar, typically financial, with little social or household material
- Relationship statements that conflict on dates or basic facts
- De facto applications lodged short of 12 months without a registered relationship
- Police certificates missing for countries lived in for 12 months or more
- Failing to tell the Department about a change in circumstances
How we can help
We help Irish applicants and their Australian sponsors work out which pathway applies, structure evidence across all four pillars, and prepare the application before it is lodged. Given the size of the charge and the length of processing, this is the visa where a review before lodgement matters most.
We are not registered migration agents in Australia, and complex partner cases — a previous refusal, character issues, or a relationship breakdown mid-application — may need a registered agent or lawyer. We will tell you if we think that applies to you.
You can apply directly yourself at any time through the Department of Home Affairs. Get in touch to talk through your situation.