Partner Visa Subclass 820 & 801 Australia:Complete Onshore Application Process Explained
Already in Australia? Here is everything you need to know about the subclass 820 and subclass 801 pathway to permanent residency.
Table of Contents
What Is the Partner Visa 820 and 801?
The partner visa subclass 820 and subclass 801 is the onshore pathway for people already in Australia who want to join their Australian partner permanently. You lodge one application. It covers two stages. Stage one is the temporary partner visa 820. Stage two is the permanent partner visa 801.
This is the most common route taken by couples where one partner is already living and working in Australia on another visa. You do not need to leave the country to lodge. You do not lose your current work or Medicare rights while the case is being assessed.
Who Can Apply for the Partner Visa Subclass 820?
To lodge a subclass 820 application, you must be:
- In Australia on your lodgement day — not just nearby, not in transit. Australian soil is a hard requirement.
- In a genuine relationship with an eligible Australian sponsor.
- Aged 18 or older.
- Medically cleared by an approved panel doctor.
- Free of any outstanding character issues or unresolved visa bans.
If you are in a de facto relationship, you also need to show at least 12 months of shared life together before you lodge. This 12-month requirement is waived if you are married.
Who Can Be the Sponsor?
Your Australian partner sponsors you. To be an eligible sponsor they must hold one of the following:
- Full Australian citizenship
- A granted permanent residency visa
- Eligible New Zealand citizen status under Australian law
The sponsor must also be aged 18 or older and have a clean character record. Arch Migration checks sponsor eligibility as part of our initial review — contact us if you are unsure.
The Two Stages: Subclass 820 and Subclass 801 Explained
Stage 1 — Subclass 820: Temporary Partner Visa
The subclass 820 is the first stage of your onshore partner visa. It is temporary, but it gives you the right to live, work, and access Medicare in Australia while your full file is being assessed.
What happens on lodge day:
- Your bridging status activates automatically. You do not fall out of status.
- Work rights and Medicare access begin from that date.
- You can travel overseas — but you need to apply for a Bridging Visa B first.
What happens next:
- The Department of Home Affairs reviews your evidence of a genuine relationship.
- They may request additional documents, medical results, or police checks during this period.
- Once the 820 is granted, the clock starts on your two-year wait for the permanent stage.
Stage 2 — Subclass 801: Permanent Partner Visa
The visa 801 — also called the permanent partner visa — is the second stage. It is not a separate application. It is automatically triggered roughly 24 months after your original lodge date.
To clear stage two:
- Your relationship must still be genuine and ongoing.
- You need fresh evidence covering the time since your first lodgement.
- The sponsor must still be eligible.
Once granted, the subclass 801 gives you full permanent residency. You can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. You become eligible to apply for citizenship after meeting the residency requirements.
Subclass 820 and 801 Requirements: What You Must Prove
Proving the Relationship Is Genuine
This is the core of both stages. The Department assesses your relationship across four areas:
| Area | What to Show |
|---|---|
| Financial | Joint accounts, shared bills, rent in both names, shared assets or liabilities |
| Household | Shared lease or mortgage, proof of same address, shared domestic duties |
| Social | Statutory declarations from family and friends who know you as a couple |
| Commitment | Future plans, joint travel, communications history, shared responsibilities |
No single area carries the whole case. A file strong on finances but silent on social life raises doubts. Cover all four areas at both stage one and stage two.
Medical and Character Requirements
- Medical: Every applicant must attend an approved panel doctor.
- Character: Police clearance certificates required for every country lived in 12+ months.
- Children: Included children have their own requirements.
Partner Visa 820 and 801 Cost — What to Budget in 2025
| Item | Approximate AUD (2025) |
|---|---|
| Main applicant government charge | ~$9,365 |
| Second adult | ~$4,685 |
| Child under 18 | ~$2,345 |
| Medical examination | ~$300–$600 |
| Police clearance | ~$50–$200 |
| Certified translation | ~$100–$300 |
| Agent fee | Contact us |
Subclass 820 Processing Time — What to Expect
The Department does not publish fixed processing timelines. Actual processing depends on case volume, completeness of your file, and whether additional information is requested.
Current benchmarks for 2025:
- Subclass 820: About 75% of onshore cases are finalised within 13 to 20 months.
- Subclass 801: The permanent check is triggered approximately 24 months after your original lodge date.
- Cases lodged with complete, well-organised evidence move faster than thin or incomplete files.
Three Things That Trim the Timeline
- Submit every document in full on day one. Incomplete files sit in a queue while cases with full evidence move ahead.
- All non-English documents must come with an approved certified translation attached. Untranslated documents are skipped.
- Keep adding fresh joint evidence to your ImmiAccount throughout the wait. Active files signal an active relationship.
Step-by-Step: How to Lodge the Partner Visa Subclass 820
- Confirm eligibility — Verify that your sponsor meets the citizenship or residency requirement and that you are in Australia on your intended lodge date.
- Book your medical — Schedule your panel doctor appointment early. Results can take a week or more to upload to the system.
- Gather your police clearances — Order certificates from every country where you have lived for 12+ months in the past decade.
- Build your relationship evidence — Cover all four areas: financial, household, social, and commitment. Quality over quantity.
- Lodge via ImmiAccount — Create or access your ImmiAccount, complete the online form, attach all documents, and pay the government charge.
- Receive your bridging visa confirmation — Your bridging status activates from lodge day. Work rights and Medicare start immediately.
- Keep building your file — Continue uploading joint evidence. Do not let your ImmiAccount go silent.
- Prepare for the subclass 801 check — At around 24 months, have a strong package of fresh evidence ready for the permanent stage.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Uneven evidence: Strong finances but no social life raises doubts. Cover all four areas equally at both stages.
- Missing translations: Non-English documents submitted without an approved certified translation are skipped by the Department, not queued for review.
- Unexplained gaps: Periods of separation need a brief written explanation. Left blank, they create suspicion.
- Frozen ImmiAccount: A file with no activity since lodge day tells the wrong story. Upload regularly.
- No fresh evidence for the 801: The most avoidable outcome we see. Enter the permanent stage without new material and you risk everything.
- Wrong subclass selected: If you lodge offshore instead of onshore (or vice versa), you will waste time and money. Your location on lodge day determines your subclass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while my subclass 820 is being assessed?
Yes. Your bridging visa activates on lodge day and includes full work rights. You do not need to wait for the 820 to be granted before starting or continuing employment.
Do I need to be married to apply for the partner visa 820?
No. The partner visa 820 and 801 is open to all couples equally — married, de facto, and same-sex. De facto applicants must show at least 12 months of shared life before lodging.
Can I travel overseas while my subclass 820 is pending?
Yes, but you need to apply for a Bridging Visa B before you depart. Leaving without one may put your application at risk. Contact us before booking any international travel.
How much does the partner visa 820 and 801 cost?
The government charges approximately $9,365 for the main applicant in 2025. This covers both stages. Medical, police, and translation costs are separate. Nothing is refunded if the visa is refused.
What happens at the subclass 801 stage?
At around 24 months from your lodge date, the Department reviews your file for the permanent partner visa 801. You must show the relationship is still genuine and ongoing. Fresh evidence covering the period since your first lodgement is essential.
What is the difference between the partner visa 820 and the partner visa 309?
The subclass 820 is for people already in Australia. The subclass 309 is for people applying from overseas. Your location on lodge day determines which subclass applies to you. The permanent stages — 801 for onshore and 100 for offshore — follow the same two-year timeline.
Related Articles
- The Ultimate Guide to Partner Visa Australia: Requirements, Process, Costs & Expert Tips
- Partner Visa Subclass 309 & 100: Step-by-Step Offshore Application Guide for Australia
- Partner Visa Processing Time Australia: Latest Timelines for 820, 801, 309 & 100 Visas
- Proving a Genuine Relationship for an Australian Partner Visa: Evidence, Tips & Common Mistakes
Ready to Lodge Your Partner Visa 820?
Arch Migration handles the full process — from eligibility check to subclass 801 approval.
📞 +61 426 628 875
✉ enquire@archmigration.com.au
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