New partner visa rules in Australia: what applicants should know
Australian partner visas allow eligible spouses, de facto partners and prospective spouses of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens to apply to live in Australia.
In 2026, the main partner visa pathways remain the onshore partner visa, offshore partner visa and prospective marriage visa. However, applicants should pay attention to current costs, online lodgement requirements, sponsor evidence, relationship evidence, permanent stage timing and update obligations.
Important 2026 update
From 1 July 2026, the partner visa application charge increased. Home Affairs lists the Partner visa pathway from AUD11,710.00 for most applicants. A lower visa cost may apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid application.
This means applicants should budget carefully before lodging. The visa application charge is only one part of the total cost. Other costs may include health examinations, police checks, translations, document preparation and professional advice if used.
Always check the official Home Affairs page or the Visa Pricing Estimator before paying, because visa charges and concessions can change.
Main partner visa pathways
There are three common partner-related pathways applicants should understand:
1. Onshore Partner visa subclass 820 and 801
The onshore Partner visa pathway is for applicants who are in Australia when applying. The subclass 820 is the temporary stage and the subclass 801 is the permanent stage.
This pathway may suit applicants already in Australia who are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an eligible sponsor.
2. Offshore Partner visa subclass 309 and 100
The offshore Partner visa pathway is for applicants who apply from outside Australia. The subclass 309 is the temporary stage and the subclass 100 is the permanent stage.
This pathway may suit couples where the applicant is overseas and wants to move to Australia to live with their partner.
3. Prospective Marriage visa subclass 300
The Prospective Marriage visa is for people who want to come to Australia to marry their prospective spouse. After marriage, the applicant may then apply for a Partner visa.
Applicants must check the specific timing, location and eligibility requirements for this pathway before applying.
What counts as a partner relationship?
A partner visa application must show that the relationship is genuine and continuing. The relationship evidence is usually one of the most important parts of the application.
Common evidence may include:
- Identity documents for both applicant and sponsor.
- Marriage certificate or de facto relationship evidence.
- Joint bank account or shared financial evidence.
- Lease, mortgage, bills or household evidence.
- Photos, travel records and communication history.
- Statements from family or friends.
- Evidence of social, financial, household and commitment aspects of the relationship.
Online lodgement remains important
Partner visa applications must generally be lodged online through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs says paper applications are only available in limited circumstances by invitation.
If you lodge on paper without being invited to do so, the application may be invalid and not processed. This is why applicants should use the official ImmiAccount process unless Home Affairs specifically instructs otherwise.
Sponsor requirements and police checks
Partner visa applications involve both the applicant and the sponsor. The sponsor may need to provide identity documents, relationship evidence and police certificates.
Home Affairs says sponsors should provide police certificates when submitting the sponsorship for a partner to migrate, or as soon as possible after applying.
Applicants should not treat the sponsor side as a simple form. Weak sponsor evidence or missing sponsor documents can delay the application.
Permanent partner visa stage
Partner visa pathways are usually processed in two stages. The temporary visa is assessed first, then the permanent visa stage is assessed later.
Home Affairs says that if you hold a temporary Partner visa subclass 309 or 820, two years must have passed since you applied for that visa before you are eligible for assessment of the permanent visa.
When eligible, applicants may need to submit updated evidence showing the relationship is still genuine and continuing.
Relationship changes after applying
If the relationship ends, changes or the sponsor dies, the applicant must update Home Affairs. In some circumstances, a partner visa application may still continue.
Home Affairs says this may include situations involving:
- The sponsoring partner has died.
- The applicant or included family members experienced domestic and family violence committed by the sponsoring partner.
- The applicant and sponsoring partner have a child and share access and parental responsibility.
These situations can be sensitive and legally complex. Applicants should get professional help quickly if their relationship changes after applying.
Domestic and family violence protection
Home Affairs provides information for partner visa applicants experiencing domestic and family violence. Applicants may still be eligible for permanent visa grant in some circumstances under family violence provisions.
If safety is an issue, applicants should also protect their online access by changing passwords, securing email accounts and avoiding shared saved passwords.
Global processing model
Home Affairs says partner visa applications can be processed at offices inside or outside Australia. The processing office is not determined only by the applicant’s nationality or location.
This means applicants should not assume a specific office will handle their case. The key focus should be submitting a complete, accurate and well-evidenced application.
Common mistakes applicants make
Avoid these common partner visa mistakes:
- Not checking the latest visa charge before lodging.
- Submitting weak relationship evidence.
- Thinking marriage alone is enough evidence.
- Not completing the sponsor side properly.
- Forgetting police checks or character documents.
- Not updating Home Affairs after changes in relationship, address, passport or contact details.
- Missing permanent stage evidence after two years.
- Assuming a partner visa is automatically granted because the relationship is genuine.
Checklist before applying
Before lodging a partner visa application, check:
- Which pathway applies: 820/801, 309/100 or 300.
- Whether the applicant must be onshore or offshore.
- Current visa application charge and concessions.
- Sponsor eligibility and sponsor documents.
- Relationship evidence across financial, social, household and commitment areas.
- Police checks, health examinations and identity documents.
- Current visa status and bridging visa impact if applying onshore.
- Any deadlines or risks if the applicant’s current visa is expiring.
Eazy Path takeaway
The key partner visa rule in 2026 is simple: do not rely only on being married or being in a relationship. Partner visas require strong evidence, accurate online lodgement, sponsor documents and ongoing updates.
The higher 2026 visa charge also means applicants should prepare carefully before paying and lodging.
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