The onshore partner visa pathway for spouses and de facto partners already inside Australia. The Subclass 820 (temporary) leads to the Subclass 801 (permanent residency) after 2 years. A Bridging Visa A keeps you legal while you wait.
The Partner Visa Onshore (Subclass 820 and 801) is a two-stage visa pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, when the applicant is inside Australia at the time of application.
The Subclass 820 is a temporary partner visa that lets the applicant live, work and study in Australia while the Department of Home Affairs assesses the relationship. After 2 years from the original application date, the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is granted — providing indefinite residency, Medicare access, Centrelink eligibility and a pathway to Australian citizenship. As of 25 November 2023, both visas can be granted regardless of the applicant’s location at time of grant.
Onshore vs Offshore: The 820/801 is the onshore pathway — you apply from inside Australia. If you are outside Australia, the equivalent pathway is the Partner Visa Offshore (Subclass 309/100). Coming via the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa? After marrying, you apply for the 820 onshore.
Both the applicant and the sponsor (Australian partner) must meet requirements:
Confirm you are inside Australia with a valid visa, and that your relationship meets the criteria — married or de facto (12+ months cohabitation, or registered). Contact our migration agents Perth team for a free assessment tailored to your situation.
The Australian partner must submit a sponsorship application via ImmiAccount. The Department verifies the sponsor’s identity, character and eligibility to sponsor a partner visa applicant. This can run concurrently with the main application.
Compile strong evidence across all four categories: financial (joint accounts, shared bills), social (photos, messages, statutory declarations), household (lease/mortgage, shared address), and commitment (travel, future plans, knowledge of each other’s background). See our relationship evidence guide.
Complete a medical examination at a Department-approved panel physician. Obtain police clearance certificates from each country lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Allow several weeks for these to arrive.
Submit the application online via ImmiAccount while you are inside Australia with a valid visa. Pay the AUD $9,365 government fee. If your current visa expires before the 820 is granted, you will receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) automatically, allowing you to remain lawfully in Australia.
After 2 years from your original lodgement date, the Department will assess your application for the permanent Subclass 801. There is no new application — just provide updated relationship evidence when requested. Once granted, you have full permanent residency rights.
The Department assesses genuine relationships across four categories. Strong applications provide evidence in all four areas:
Read our full guide: Evidence to Prove a Genuine & Continuing Relationship
Live and work anywhere in Australia. Study in Australia (note: international student fees apply on the 820).
Eligible for Medicare on the Subclass 820 — access to Australia’s public healthcare system while awaiting the permanent 801.
If your current visa expires during processing, a Bridging Visa A is issued automatically, keeping you lawfully in Australia.
Travel in and out of Australia multiple times while on the Subclass 820.
Dependent children who are in Australia at time of application can be included in the Subclass 820.
Automatic progression to the permanent Subclass 801 assessment after 2 years — no second application fee.
Live in Australia permanently with no need to renew or reapply.
Eligible for social security benefits through Centrelink after a waiting period of up to 1 year — job seeker, family tax benefit, childcare subsidy and more.
As a permanent resident you are eligible to apply for the First Home Owner Grant when purchasing your first home.
Study at Australian universities and TAFE at domestic student rates — a significant saving over international fees.
Dependent children under 18 are entitled to free public school education in Australia.
After 4 years total residence (at least 1 year as PR) apply for Australian citizenship — eligible to vote, hold an Australian passport and more.
The difference is simply where you are when you apply. Both lead to the same permanent residency outcome.
Coming via the Subclass 300? If you entered Australia on a Prospective Marriage Visa (300), after marrying in Australia you apply for the 820/801 onshore pathway — not the 309/100.
Processing times are indicative and depend on application completeness, health and character check turnaround, and the complexity of the relationship assessment.
| Visa | 75% of applications | 90% of applications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 820 Temporary (onshore) |
~23 months | ~27 months | Must be inside Australia at lodgement |
| Subclass 801 Permanent |
~11 months | ~22 months | Assessed 2 years after 820 lodgement |
As of 25 November 2023: Both the Subclass 820 and 801 can now be granted regardless of whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia at the time of grant — giving more flexibility during the lengthy processing period.
The single government fee at lodgement covers both the temporary Subclass 820 and the permanent Subclass 801:
The one fee covers both the 820 and 801 — no second payment when the permanent visa is granted. Additional costs apply for health examinations, police clearances and biometrics. Contact our migration agent Perth team for a full cost breakdown including agent fees.
“The team at Ultimate Migration helped with my AAT hearing. They handled my complex case with utmost care, and I got a favourable outcome. I highly recommend Ultimate Migration.”
“Very knowledgeable and they care about the quality of outcome for their clients. Highly recommended.”
“Ultimate Migration guided me through the sponsorship process for my business. From SBS to visa approval, they executed every step professionally.”
“I wholeheartedly endorse Ultimate Migration. They helped me with my 188 Visa. I was informed and guided at every step of the application.”
In case you don’t find an answer, consult with one of our migration agents.
Fill out the form below for a free and confidential consultation about the Partner Visa Onshore 820/801 with our OMARA-registered migration agent Perth team.
100% confidential — we never share your details
