Australia · Family Stream
Partner Visas — 300, 309/100 & 820/801
Australia’s partner visa program reunites couples by allowing the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live permanently in Australia. There are three distinct pathways depending on your circumstances: the Prospective Marriage Visa (300), the Offshore Partner Visa (309/100), and the Onshore Partner Visa (820/801). This page reflects the 2026–27 program year, including the 25% government fee increase that took effect on 1 July 2026.
The Three Partner Visa Pathways
Which pathway you take depends on where you are when you apply and whether you are already married or simply engaged. The subclass you lodge changes, but the ultimate destination — permanent residency — is the same for all three.
For couples who are engaged but not yet married. The applicant must be outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is decided. Once granted, they enter Australia and must marry their sponsor within 9 months of arrival. They then apply for a Partner Visa (820/801) onshore at a significantly reduced fee.
For applicants who are outside Australia at lodgement. SC 309 (temporary) and SC 100 (permanent) are lodged together as a single combined application. The applicant waits outside Australia until the SC 309 is granted, then can travel freely in and out of Australia. PR (SC 100) is assessed approximately 2 years after initial lodgement.
For applicants who are in Australia at lodgement. SC 820 (temporary) and SC 801 (permanent) are lodged together. A Bridging Visa is usually automatically granted on lodgement, allowing the applicant to remain lawfully in Australia during the entire processing period. This is the most common pathway.
The Four Pillars of Relationship Evidence
The Department assesses whether your relationship is genuine and continuing across four defined pillars. You must provide evidence across all four — weakness in any one pillar can lead to a Request for Further Information or, in more serious cases, refusal. This evidence is required at both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the application.
- Joint bank accounts or shared financial commitments
- Joint ownership of property or assets
- Joint liabilities (mortgage, loans, utilities)
- Evidence of financially supporting each other
- Naming each other as beneficiary on insurance or superannuation
- Shared accommodation — lease or mortgage in both names
- Utility bills addressed to both parties
- Evidence of shared domestic arrangements and responsibilities
- Correspondence showing the same residential address
- Recognition as a couple by family and friends
- Statutory declarations from people who know you as a couple
- Joint attendance at social events (photos, invitations)
- Joint social media presence or mutual tags/posts
- Travel together (boarding passes, hotel records)
- Knowledge of each other’s personal background, family, and history
- Future plans together (property, children, career)
- Duration of the relationship
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Engagement or intention to marry (for SC 300)
- Evidence of long-distance maintenance during separation
Eligibility Requirements 820/801 & 309/100
- 1Eligible sponsorThe sponsor must be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age and must not be subject to a sponsorship bar. A person may only sponsor a partner visa applicant twice in their lifetime (across SC 300, 309, and 820 combined), with at least 5 years between any two sponsorships. A previous sponsorship refusal or specific family violence provisions may also affect eligibility. Please contact us to confirm.
- 2Genuine spousal or de facto relationshipYou must be the married spouse or the de facto partner of the sponsor. For a de facto relationship, you must have been living together in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months immediately before applying, unless you have registered the relationship under Australian state or territory law.
- 3Health requirementsYou and any included family members must satisfy Australian health requirements. An immigration health examination by an approved panel physician is required for most applicants.
- 4Character requirementsYou must provide police clearances from every country where you have lived for 12 months or more over the past 10 years. The sponsor is also subject to a character check.
- 5No public interest criteria barYou must not be subject to any exclusion, bar, or public interest criteria that would prevent the visa being granted — this includes certain previous visa refusals or cancellations.
- 6Stage 2 — ongoing genuine relationshipFor the permanent stage (SC 801 or SC 100), the Department reassesses whether the relationship is still genuine and continuing approximately two years after initial lodgement. If the relationship has ended, the permanent visa will generally not be granted unless family violence has occurred.
Costs to Budget For
How We Help — Step by Step
We confirm whether you should apply for the 300, 309/100, or 820/801, verify your sponsor’s eligibility, and check for any sponsorship bars or character issues that could affect the application before you commit any money.
For de facto couples, we assess whether your 12-month cohabitation requirement is met and advise on what evidence is available and how to present it across all four relationship pillars. Getting this right at Stage 1 directly affects your Stage 2 outcome.
We help you identify, compile, and structure relationship evidence across all four pillars — financial, household, social, and commitment — and advise on obtaining statutory declarations from witnesses. A thorough, well-organised evidence package significantly reduces the risk of a Request for Further Information.
We check which applicants need health examinations, generate ImmiAccount health referrals, and guide you to an approved panel physician. We track completion of health checks to ensure lodgement is not delayed.
As your registered migration agent, we complete all application forms, attach all supporting documents, and lodge your visa application. If you are onshore, we confirm your Bridging Visa has been granted after lodgement.
We monitor your visa application, respond promptly to any requests for further information, and notify you the moment there is an outcome.
Need Help With Your Partner Visa?
Partner visas are among the most complex and evidence-intensive Australian visas. Our MARA registered migration agent guides you through both stages, ensuring your relationship evidence is thorough and your application gives you the best possible chance of success.
admin@myskillsmigration.comInformation current as at August 2026 (2026–27 financial year) · Government fees updated to reflect 1 July 2026 increase · Processing times change monthly · Please contact us for up-to-date information · General guide only, not migration advice.