Your Step-By-Step Guide to Applying for an Australian Partner Visa

Once you’ve confirmed you're eligible for a visa, it's time to lodge your application. 

The pathway to applying for a partner visa in Australia can be time-consuming and complex. It means navigating ambiguous task instructions from the Department of Home Affairs and spending hours collecting, creating and reformatting 50-100 documents. 

At Matilda, our platform simplifies this process, cutting your workload significantly while our team handles the heavy lifting of preparing your application.

Whether you're going it alone or working with us, the journey to getting your partner visa is split into two stages: you obtain a short-term visa first, then apply for a permanent visa two years later.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the full process: choosing the right visa subclass, collecting your evidence and submitting your application. We’ll also give you all the details on what to expect at each stage. 

Which Partner Visa Should You Apply For? 

In Australia, there are three types of partner visas:

• Onshore partner visa (subclass 820/801): For applicants already in Australia.
• Offshore partner visa (subclass 309/100): For applicants currently outside Australia.
• Prospective marriage visa (subclass 300): For international fiancés wanting to enter Australia before marrying their partner.

Figuring out which subclass is right for you boils down to three questions:

1. Where are you (the applicant) currently located?
2. Are you engaged or married/de facto?
3. What is an acceptable processing time for you?

A big factor is whether you're inside or outside Australia when submitting your application, then the status of your relationship narrows down your options further.

Thinking about acceptable processing times is most relevant if you are applying outside Australia. How long would you be comfortable waiting to be reunited with your partner?

Matilda Tip: Keep in mind that for offshore partner visas, the processing times on the Home Affairs website can be misleading. Each offshore office has its own average processing times, which skew the overall figures. For example, offices in Dubai have processing times of years, while London and Berlin can process within six to nine months.

The Two-Stage Process

The two-stage process involved in applying for a partner visa in Australia gives the Government time to ensure your relationship is genuine and continuing.

However, if you've been in a de facto relationship or marriage for at least three years (or more than two years if you share a dependent child), you may be able to receive your permanent partner visa at the same time as your short-term visa.

Step 1: Gathering Your Supporting Documents

The first step involves gathering evidence to support your application across the four pillars used by the Department of Home Affairs to assess your relationship (Financial Aspects, Nature of Household, Social Aspects, Nature of Commitment).

Here's what to collect for each: 

Financial Aspects

Evidence that you and your partner share and pool finances:

• Joint bank account statements
• Joint mortgage or loan documents
• Joint lease or rental agreement
• Joint insurance policies (health, car, home/contents)
• Evidence of transferring money between one another over the course of your relationship
• Evidence of joint purchases (car, furniture, appliances).

Nature of Household

Evidence that you share domestic responsibilities and live together:

• Utility bills (gas, electricity, water, internet) in both names
• Mail addressed to both of you at the same address
• Council rates notices
• Car registration showing the same address.

Social Aspects

Evidence that others recognise your relationship:

• Statutory declarations from friends and family (ask them to complete form 888)
• Joint travel bookings and itineraries
• Photos together, and with friends and family, at events, holidays and milestones
• Wedding, engagement, or other event invitations addressed to both.

Nature of Commitment

Evidence of your long-term commitment:

• A detailed relationship statement from both the applicant and their sponsoring partner (for detailed guidance on writing this, see our guide)
• Marriage or relationship registration certificates
• Wills, superannuation or life insurance nominations naming each other as beneficiaries
• Correspondence showing the development of your relationship (messages, letters, call logs).

What if your relationship doesn't perfectly align with the evidence requirements?

• If you don't have shared assets, consider opening a joint bank account and using it to pay for shared housing, living or lifestyle expenses.
• If utility bills aren't in both names, provide other evidence such as group messages with your property manager, recurring bank transfers or text messages showing shared housing obligations.
• If you're in a de facto relationship but haven't been living together for 12 months, show your commitment by nominating each other as superannuation beneficiaries, listing each other in your wills or registering your relationship with your state or territory government.

For a more detailed breakdown of what to include in terms of photos, correspondence between you and statutory declarations from friends and family, see our Partner Visa Evidence Checklist.

Part 2: Organising Your Supporting Documents

With your documents collected, it's time to prepare them to meet Home Affairs' standards.

Creating master documents

With an upload limit of 100 documents, collating similar documents into master files makes it easier for Home Affairs to review your application. For example, you could combine call logs and text message transcripts into one document titled "proof of contact whilst apart."

Reformatting documents

The department has specific rules for file uploads. Each attachment must be under 5MB, images should be in JPG format and compressed files like .zip aren't accepted. With dozens of documents to reformat, this can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the process.

Final document review

Check that dates are consistent across all relevant documents and ensure you always use the phrasing "partner" (not "boyfriend/girlfriend").

Step 3: Submitting Your Application

Here’s how to lodge your short-term partner visa application: 

1. Login or create an ImmiAccount.
2. Choose 'New application'.
3. Select the 'Family' category.
4. Select 'Stage 1 — Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa'.
5. Fill out your application and attach your supporting documents.
6. Pay the visa application charge.
7. Submit your application.
8. Draft and submit the sponsor application using their own ImmiAccount.

Matilda Tip: After lodgement, share your transaction reference number (TRN) with your partner/sponsor. They'll need it when completing their section of the sponsorship application.

Step 4: What Happens After You Submit

Once your application is lodged, you'll move into the waiting period. During this time, you'll need to complete a medical examination, respond to any requests from Home Affairs and if you are onshore, you may be eligible to qualify for Medicare and move onto a bridging visa.

Processing times vary by subclass and individual circumstances, and there are several things you can do to stay prepared throughout the wait. For a full breakdown of current processing times, what to expect at each stage and how to manage the post-lodgement period, see our partner visa processing times guide.

Stage 2: Permanent Partner Visa (801 or 100)

After receiving your short-term partner visa, you’ll have to wait two years before applying for your permanent partner visa in Australia.

However, in some cases, for those who have been married or in a de facto relationship for more than three years (or two years if you share a dependent child), Home Affairs may use their discretion to grant your short-term and permanent partner visa at the same time. 

Typically, you'll need updated versions of your current household bills, lease agreements or mortgage statements, a new statement from your sponsor and two new supporting statements (via form 888) from friends and family.

1. Login to your ImmiAccount.
2. Choose 'New application'.
3. Select the 'Family' category.
4. Select 'Stage 2 — Permanent Partner Visa Assessment'.
5. Fill out your application and attach supporting documents.

With this permanent partner visa, you automatically become a permanent resident with full working rights and the ability to apply for Australian citizenship after a certain period (usually four years living in Australia and at least one year after receiving PR).

Matilda Tip: You can continue uploading supporting documents to your ImmiAccount while your short-term or permanent application is being processed. Some documents (such as medical assessments and police clearances) are only valid for 12 months, and you'll need to secure new ones if your processing time exceeds that. It can be helpful to continue adding new documents, such as shared bank statements, if your initial application was light on evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to apply for a partner visa in Australia? Processing times vary by subclass. Onshore applications (subclass 820) typically take 17-24 months. Offshore applications (subclass 309) can range from 16-23 months. A complete, well-organised application from the start helps reduce delays.

Does my sponsor need to submit a separate application? Yes. Your sponsor submits their own application through their ImmiAccount. Forgetting this is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.

Can I work while my partner visa is being processed? If you've applied onshore, you'll typically be granted a Bridging Visa A upon lodgement, which allows you to live and work in Australia while your application is assessed.

What happens if my relationship breaks down during processing? You must inform Home Affairs of any changes to your circumstances. If your relationship ends before your visa is granted, your application may be refused.

Putting It All Together

The partner visa application process is a two-stage journey: secure your short-term visa first, then apply for your permanent partner visa in Australia two years later.

Choose the right visa subclass for your situation, collect strong evidence across all four pillars, organise it to meet Home Affairs' standards and respond quickly to any requests after lodgement.

Ready to apply for your partner visa in Australia? Begin your partner visa application with Matilda. We know the partner visa application process can be complex and confusing. Our platform simplifies the entire process, and we offer a money-back guarantee if your application isn't successful.