Partner Visa Australia Requirements: What You Need to Know

At ImmigrationBuddy, when it comes to applying for a partner visa, we do not believe it is about jumping rings; it is about bringing couples together and mapping out a future together. But there is a great deal more than shown at first glance, for under the eligibility requirements lies a universe of timeframes, proof, and strategic planning that can make or ruin your application.
With that said, let us skip the small talk and dive into what you actually need to know.

Australian Partner Visa Requirements

The applicant needs to satisfy the following fundamental requirements for being eligible for a partner visa (subclass 820/801 for onshore, or 309/100 for offshore):

Ongoing and Authentic Relationship

In your application, this is your fundamental purpose. To qualify, you must demonstrate that your relationship, at a minimum, is:

• Exclusive
• Long-term (12+ months approx)
• Committed (like finances, remarriage, or any other commitment for the future)

Evidence of Your Relationship

They say that a picture can be worth a thousand words, so, considering that in mind:

• Photos, travel, and social media sharing
• Rental agreement or utility bills that are shared.
• Joint bank statements.
• Statutory declarations from friends/family.

Sponsor eligibility

Your partner must be:

• An Australian citizen or a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Not currently sponsoring someone else (only a certain number of sponsorships can be done in a certain period).

Health and character checks

Both the applicant and sponsor must complete health checks and police checks for any country that has been lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years.

Visa history and location

Onshore, applicants must have a valid visa. For an offshore applicant, there will be a time and communication constraint between partners.

Age requirements

You and your partner both must be 18 years or older at the time of the application.

Documents You will Need

The authenticity of your relationship will be proven by a range of documents under the following categories:

Personal and Identity Documents

• Passport bio-data page
• Birth certificate
• National ID cards (if applicable)

Relationship Evidence

Meeting the Australian Department of Home Affairs' expectations depends on your relationship evidence, which should cover these four areas:

• Financial Aspects: Joint bank accounts, shared bills, or lease agreements.
• Nature of the Household: Statements about how household duties are shared.
• Social Aspects: Should have photos, social media proof, joint invitations, or any other proof.
• Commitment: Statements about the future of your relationship, communication logs during time apart.

Marriage or De Facto Registration Certificate

If married, a legal marriage certificate. If in a de facto relationship, proof of cohabitation and joint financial arrangements is required.

Form 888 - Statutory Declarations

Two or more statutory declarations from Australian citizens or permanent residents who can vouch for your relationship.

Major Tips Which Most Applicants Miss

Even if you meet all the official requirements, your application can still be refused. Do the following for not to miss:

• Consistency is the key: All your documentation must align with dates, addresses, and names.
• Tell a strong, convincing story: Include a detailed relationship statement. Be authentic and avoid stereotypes.
• Expected delays: Processing time expansions are approximately over 20 months. Plan your finances, housing, and emotional support accordingly.
• Use your migration agent wisely: While it is not necessary, a strategic advisor like ImmigrationBuddy can reduce your errors, delays, and all your stress.

FAQs 

Q1. What time does it take to get a partner visa in Australia?
Ans. Processing times may differ, but usually, Onshore applications can take 20–28 months.  And Offshore might be slightly faster depending on the case.

Q2. To apply, do I need to be married?
Ans. No. De facto relationships (12 months or more), registered relationships, and married couples are all eligible.

Q3. Can I work while on a partner visa?
Ans. Yes, once your bridging visa kicks in, you’ll likely have full work rights (check your Bridging Visa conditions).

Q4. What if our relationship ends during the process?
Ans. You must notify Immigration immediately. This can cause an impact on your application unless there are special circumstances (like family violence).

Q5. What is the partner visa’s cost?
Ans. The base application charge is over AUD $8,850 approx. Additional charges may apply for dependents.