If your spouse is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you can apply for Australia’s onshore Partner Visa through the Subclass 820/801 pathway. Yes, this is possible, but the sponsor and applicant must meet specific relationship, sponsorship, health, and character requirements before the Department of Home Affairs grants approval.
This two-stage visa lets you live in Australia while your application moves from a temporary stage (820) to a permanent one (801). For Indian couples, the process often gets tricky around relationship evidence, paperwork, and sponsorship obligations, and government fees change too, so confirm the latest figures before you lodge anything. At Ausizz Migration Consultants, we help couples work through this pathway with clear, personalised guidance. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Australia’s Partner Visa Subclass 820/801?
What is Subclass 820?
Subclass 820 is the temporary stage of the onshore Partner Visa. It lets you stay in Australia with your spouse while the Department assesses your relationship and prepares to consider the permanent stage.
What is Subclass 801?
Subclass 801 is the permanent stage. It follows Subclass 820 for eligible applicants, usually assessed around two years after you first lodge, provided your relationship is still genuine and continuing at that point.
What’s the difference between Subclass 820 and 801?
Visa type: 820 is temporary; 801 is permanent.
Purpose: 820 is the first stage of your application; 801 is the final, ongoing stage.
Where you apply: Both are lodged from within Australia.
Relationship focus: 820 assesses whether your relationship is genuine at the time of lodgement; 801 checks whether it’s still continuing.
Who Can Sponsor a Spouse for an Australian Partner Visa?
A sponsor generally needs to be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Yes, permanent residents can sponsor an eligible spouse, as long as they meet the sponsorship obligations set out by the Department. The sponsor doesn’t necessarily need to living in Australia, but where they live and their intention to reside here can influence how the application is assessed, so it’s worth reviewing your specific circumstances carefully before you apply.
Australia Partner Visa Requirements for Indian Couples
Relationship, sponsorship, health, and character requirements
Whether you’re married or in a de facto relationship, your relationship needs to be genuine and continuing, backed by mutual commitment and a shared life together, not just a marriage certificate. Your sponsor must separately meet eligibility criteria and understand their sponsorship obligations before you submit anything. You’ll also need to complete health examinations and provide police certificates as part of the character assessment, so disclose everything accurately; inconsistencies can slow things down considerably. If you’re applying while in Australia, your current visa status and any conditions attached to it matter too, so check this before you lodge.
What Documents Are Needed for an Australia Partner Visa?
Applicant and sponsor documents
You’ll typically need: passports and identity documents, birth certificates, previous marriage or divorce papers where applicable, police certificates, health examination records, and immigration history. Your sponsor needs to provide evidence of their Australian citizenship or permanent residency, identity and address documents, and sponsorship-related declarations.
Relationship evidence
This is where most applications succeed or fall short. The Department looks at four areas:
Financial: joint bank accounts, shared expenses, bills, and joint assets or liabilities
Household: shared residence, household responsibilities, utility bills, and lease or property documents
Social: photos together, travel records, invitations, and recognition of the relationship by family and friends
Commitment: communication history, future plans, and statements showing an ongoing, genuine relationship
How to Prove a Genuine Relationship for Australia Partner Visa 820/801
Relationship evidence is arguably the most important part of your application. Present it logically, across different stages of your relationship: how you met, dating, marriage, living arrangements, family involvement, travel, and future plans. Quality matters far more than quantity here.
If your joint financial evidence is limited, alternative proof, such as joint travel bookings, shared subscriptions, or written statements from family and friends, can help. No single document guarantees approval, so aim for a well-rounded picture. And if you and your spouse live apart, explain clearly why, and show how you maintain the relationship through regular communication, visits, or shared financial responsibilities.
Australia Partner Visa 820/801 Application Process
- Check eligibility: confirm both the applicant’s and sponsor’s eligibility, and review your relationship circumstances honestly.
- Gather supporting documents: collect identity, relationship, sponsorship, health, and character documents.
- Prepare relationship evidence: organise everything under the financial, household, social, and commitment categories.
- Lodge the application: accuracy and completeness matter here more than anywhere else.
- Complete health and character requirements: book examinations and gather certificates as requested.
- Respond to Department requests: you may be asked for extra information during processing.
- Temporary and permanent stages: the 820 is assessed first, and the 801 follows once eligibility requirements are met.
How Much Does the Australia Partner Visa 820/801 Cost in 2026?
As of 1 July 2026, the base government application charge for the combined 820/801 pathway sits at AUD 11,710 for the primary applicant, with additional charges for dependents aged 18 and over, and lower charges for dependents under 18. This single fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages, so you don’t pay it twice.
Beyond the government charge, budget for health examinations, police certificates, document translations, and professional migration assistance, if you choose to use it.
Can Partner Visa fees change?
Yes, government fees can and do change, often around 1 July each year. Always verify the current amount through official channels before you lodge.
How Long Does the Australia Partner Visa 820/801 Take?
Processing times vary widely and depend on how complete your application is, the strength of your relationship evidence, whether the Department requests more information, and general processing volumes at the time. The permanent stage is generally assessed around two years after you first lodge, though this isn’t guaranteed for every case. An incomplete application, missing evidence, or inconsistent details often trigger requests for further information, which can add months to your timeline.
Common Mistakes Indian Couples Should Avoid
- Submitting weak or thin relationship evidence
- Providing inconsistent dates or details across documents
- Relying on photos as the only proof of the relationship
- Not explaining periods of living apart
- Assuming a marriage certificate alone guarantees approval
Can You Work in Australia on a Partner Visa 820?
Generally, yes, but always check the actual conditions on your visa grant rather than assuming. Visa eligibility and individual visa conditions aren’t always the same thing.
Can an Indian Spouse Apply While in Australia?
Subclass 820 is an onshore application, so your current visa status matters a lot here. Check whether any conditions on your existing visa affect your ability to lodge another application. If you’re outside Australia, the offshore pathway (Subclass 309/100) applies instead, since 820/801 is strictly for onshore applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my husband or wife sponsor me for an Australian Partner Visa?
Yes, if they’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who meets sponsorship requirements.
How much does an Australian Partner Visa cost?
The base charge is AUD 11,710 as of 1 July 2026, plus possible extra costs for health checks, police certificates, and translations.
What evidence is required for a genuine relationship?
Evidence across four categories: financial, household, social, and commitment.
What happens after Subclass 820 is granted?
You wait for the Subclass 801 permanent stage, typically assessed around two years later.
Is a marriage certificate enough for Partner Visa approval?
No, you’ll need broader relationship evidence beyond just a marriage certificate.
Get Personalised Help With Your Australia Partner Visa Application
Sponsoring a spouse for Australia’s Partner Visa involves careful preparation across relationship evidence, sponsorship obligations, and health and character requirements. Every couple’s situation looks different, so it helps to have guidance tailored to yours.
Ausizz Migration Consultants offers personalised support with eligibility assessment, documentation, relationship evidence preparation, and step-by-step guidance through your Australia Partner Visa for spouse application. Read more on our blog for related guides on Australia PR pathways and family visa services.
Ready to get started? Contact Ausizz Migration Consultants today for personalised guidance based on your circumstances.