PR Through Your Australian Partner — A Complete Guide
If your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they can sponsor you for a partner visa — a two-stage process that leads to permanent residency.
How does the Australian partner visa lead to permanent residency?
The partner visa is a two-stage pathway. Onshore: apply for Subclass 820 (provisional), then Subclass 801 (permanent) approximately 2 years later. Offshore: apply for Subclass 309 (provisional), then Subclass 100 (permanent). Both stages require genuine relationship evidence. The permanent stage is typically granted 2 years after the provisional, though long-term relationships may qualify for direct grant.
Onshore vs Offshore — Which Partner Visa Pathway?
The pathway you take depends on where you are when you apply — inside or outside Australia.
Onshore: 820 → 801
Applied from inside Australia. The Subclass 820 (temporary) is granted first, allowing you to remain in Australia while your relationship is assessed further. After approximately 2 years, the Subclass 801 permanent visa is granted — provided the relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Offshore: 309 → 100
Applied from outside Australia. The Subclass 309 (provisional) is granted after processing, allowing travel to Australia. After the qualifying period — usually 2 years from initial application — the Subclass 100 permanent partner visa is granted.
How the partner visa pathway to PR works
Partner migration is a two-stage process. You are first granted a temporary visa, then — usually around two years later — assessed for the permanent visa, with the relationship tested at each stage.
Confirm the sponsor and relationship
Your partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and willing to sponsor you. You must be in a genuine, ongoing spouse or de facto relationship.
Lodge the combined application
Onshore you apply for the 820 (temporary) and 801 (permanent) together; offshore it is the 309 and 100. You provide evidence of the relationship across financial, social, household and commitment aspects.
Temporary visa granted
The temporary visa (820 or 309) lets you live and work in Australia and access Medicare while the permanent stage is assessed.
Permanent visa assessed
Generally around two years after lodgement, the Department assesses the permanent visa (801 or 100). You update your relationship evidence; if the relationship is genuine and continuing, permanent residency follows.
820/801, 309/100 and the 300
Which subclass you use depends on where you are when you apply.
Onshore — 820 then 801
Applied for while you are in Australia. The 820 is the temporary stage; the 801 is the permanent stage assessed later.
Offshore — 309 then 100
Applied for while you are outside Australia. The 309 is the temporary (provisional) stage; the 100 is the permanent stage.
Prospective Marriage — 300
For fiancé(e)s who intend to marry an Australian sponsor. It leads into the onshore partner process once you are married.
Work and Medicare from stage one
You generally gain work rights and access to Medicare from the temporary stage, not only once permanent residency is granted.
What it costs and how long it takes
Every permanent visa carries a Department of Home Affairs Visa Application Charge, and most pathways also involve costs for a skills assessment, an English test, health examinations and police certificates. These government and third-party charges are set by the relevant authorities and change periodically, so we confirm the current figures with you rather than quote a number that may date. Visa Advisor's professional fees are quoted separately and upfront before you engage us. The fastest way to get figures specific to your situation is the free eligibility check, or a paid consultation if you want a full written plan.
Partner visas are decided on the strength and consistency of your relationship evidence. The permanent stage is typically assessed around two years after you lodge, so a well-organised, well-documented application from the start is what keeps the process moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often. Every case is different — book a consultation for advice on yours.
Keep exploring
Related guides in our permanent residency cluster — follow the route that fits your situation.
Ready to Start Your Partner Visa Journey?Expert support, every stage of the way.
Partner visas are complex. Get MARA-registered advice from day one.