Partner Visa Australia Explained: Onshore vs Offshore, Cost & Evidence
How the Australian partner visa actually works — the two-stage onshore (820 to 801) and offshore (309 to 100) pathways, the four evidence categories couples need to cover, current costs, and processing times. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 A partner visa is
- 0:13 $11,710 combined.
- 0:28 Onshore: 820 → 801
- 0:40 Onshore/offshore describes
- 0:56 Four things the evidence
- 1:08 Marriage isn't automatic.
- 1:19 Why it feels
- 1:32 Beyond the fee:
- 1:44 When professional help
- 1:55 Engaged, not married yet?
- 2:05 The biggest mistake:
- 2:15 Where to read more
Transcript
An Australian partner visa isn't one application — it's two: a temporary visa first, then permanent residence later, if the relationship holds up.
The combined government fee for both stages is $11,710, for applications lodged from 1 July 2026. The permanent stage is generally decided once at least 2 years have passed since you applied.
Apply from inside Australia, and it's the Subclass 820, moving to the 801. Apply from outside, and it's the Subclass 309, moving to the 100.
Under the current rules, both the temporary 820 and the temporary 309 can actually be granted whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia. Onshore and offshore describes where you apply, not where you have to be when it's granted.
Partner applications turn on evidence across four areas: how you manage finances together, your household, social recognition of the relationship, and your commitment to a shared future.
Marriage doesn't automatically settle the visa question — it's one factor among several. De facto couples qualify too, generally after 12 months of living together.
Partner cases involve personal evidence gathered over time — relationship history, statements, photos and identity documents from different stages of the relationship. The volume can feel overwhelming.
Beyond the government fee, there's also health examinations, police certificates and translations. Agent fees are set by each agent and vary with how complex the case is.
Professional advice is more strongly recommended where facts are sensitive — complicated timelines, periods apart, previous visa issues, or evidence that's hard to piece together.
Engaged couples planning to marry in Australia have another option first: the Prospective Marriage, Subclass 300, visa.
The single most common mistake is submitting incomplete evidence — a well-prepared application is the best way to avoid delays from requests for more information.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.
Short versions
- A partner visa is actually two visas (0:42)
- The 4 things a partner visa evidence file has to show (0:32)
- Engaged but not married yet? There's a visa for that (0:32)
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