Australia’s Partner visa is split into two stages, with separate onshore and offshore application streams:

Stage 1: Temporary Partner visa

309visa (offshore application)

820visa (onshore application)

Stage 2: Permanent Partner visa

100visa (offshore-to-permanent)

801visa (onshore-to-permanent)

The vast majority of applicants must first hold the temporary visa and, only after two years from lodgement with the relationship still genuine and continuing, may transition to permanent residence — commonly known as the “two-year waiting period”.

However, applicants who meet the following conditions may be granted permanent residence directly:

—At the time of application, the de facto relationship has lasted 3 years or more; or

—the de facto relationship has lasted 2 years or more and the couple has a child together.

The heart of a Partner visa application is proving to the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship is genuine, enduring, and exclusive. Whether the supporting evidence is thorough and well organised often decides the outcome on its own.

Case officers focus on the following four areas, and we recommend systematically gathering matching evidence for each:

1. Mutual financial commitment

—Joint bank accounts with regular transaction history

—Joint loans or debts

—Jointly owned assets (property, vehicles, insurance, etc.)

—Superannuation beneficiary nominated as the partner

—Records of supporting each other financially in day-to-day life

2. Evidence of a shared household

—Joint tenancy agreement or co-ownership of a home

—Records of jointly paying water, electricity, internet, gas and other utility bills

—Mail delivered to the same address (we recommend each partner supplies 15-20 items)

—Evidence of co-parenting children or caring for pets together

—Joint household insurance policies

3. Social recognition of the relationship

—Photos and invitations from social events you attended together

—Flight tickets and hotel bookings from trips taken together

—Screenshots and interactions from social media that publicly show your relationship

—Photos together from different periods (we recommend curating 15-20 images that show the span of time)

—At least two Australian PR or citizen signatories on a Form 888statutory declaration witnessing your relationship

4. Long-term commitment to each other

—A personal relationship statement written by each partner (Love Statement), setting out in detail:

—how you met, fell in love and decided to build a life together

—key milestones: first meeting, moving in together, meeting each other’s family, engagement, marriage, shared plans, and so on

—if you have spent time apart, explain why and attach evidence of how you stayed connected (chat records, visit flight tickets, etc.)

—your shared plans for the future (where you will settle, children, career development, etc.)

—Records of gifts exchanged between the two of you

—Wedding booking confirmations or a relationship registration certificate

Q: Do we have to be legally married to apply?
A: No. Legally married couples, registered de facto partners (including same-sex couples), and engaged fiancés are all eligible to apply.

Q: Do we really need to have lived together for 12 months? Are there any exceptions?
A: Generally, yes. However, if you can provide strong evidence that the relationship is stable and that you were unable to cohabit due to factors beyond your control (such as visa restrictions or work arrangements), you can apply for a waiver.

Q: What happens if the relationship changes during the two-year waiting period?
A: If the relationship breaks down before the permanent stage, the temporary visa is usually cancelled. However, if the relationship ended because of family violence or similar reasons, the applicant still has special pathways to protect their rights.

Q: Can the secondary applicant be a boyfriend or girlfriend?
A: No. They must be a legally married spouse, a registered de facto partner, or a partner who can prove a long-term cohabiting relationship.

Q: The sponsor has sponsored someone before — can they sponsor again?
A: Yes, but with strict limits. In general, there must be at least five years between sponsorships, and a person can sponsor a partner at most twice in a lifetime.

Q: Can I leave Australia after lodging an onshore application?
A：820/801If an onshore applicant needs to depart Australia, they must first be granted a Bridging visa (B（Bridging Visa B) before they can return.

Q: If my application is refused, can I appeal?
A: Yes. After a Partner visa refusal you are generally entitled to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (AAT).

Q: Do I need a medical examination and a police clearance when applying?
A: Yes. The primary applicant and any eligible secondary applicants (including children) must both provide them.

Q: Can I work in Australia while the visa is being processed?
A: While holding a 820 Bridging visa, applicants generally have full-time work rights.

Application process and current processing times

Professional tip:

your love story deserves a professional “storyteller”

Newstarsec group introduction video