Partner visas are for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Your application needs to show that your relationship is genuine and continuing.
Show how your relationship works
- Finances: joint accounts, shared bills and major purchases
- Household: living together, a shared lease or mortgage, and how you divide responsibilities
- Social: how friends and family see you as a couple, and travel or events together
- Commitment: your plans for the future and time spent together
Know the key rules
- De facto couples usually need to have been together for 12 months before applying, unless an exception applies.
- For onshore applications, your sponsor must continue to support you for 2 years after the temporary 820 visa is granted.
- If you don’t hold a substantive visa when you apply onshore, you need at least two statutory declarations made in the last 6 weeks by Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens. Form 888 isn’t accepted for this purpose.
Costs and timing
The visa application charge is from AUD11,710 for most applicants. Since 25 July 2026, applications made in Australia for visas that can be granted in Australia have the highest processing priority.
This article is general information, current at September 2026. It isn’t legal or migration advice. Check the Department of Home Affairs website or speak with a registered migration agent before you act.
