Advertisement

Advertisement

 Australia doesn’t use the label “spouse visa” officially. The family-stream options for partners are Partner visas (temporary → permanent, onshore or offshore) and the Prospective Marriage visa (fiancé(e) route). Below is a clear, up-to-date guide covering all visa types, eligibility, forms, steps, and FAQs—plus a professional disclaimer at the end.

1) Visa types (pick the pathway that fits)

A) Partner visas — apply in Australia

  • Partner (Temporary) visa – subclass 820 → first stage
  • Partner (Permanent) visa – subclass 801 → second stage, usually assessed around two years after the first application date.

Official overview and requirements are here. 

B) Partner visas — apply outside Australia

  • Partner (Provisional) visa – subclass 309 → first stage
  • Partner (Migrant) visa – subclass 100 → second stage (permanent)

Official overview and requirements are here. 

C) Fiancé(e) route

  • Prospective Marriage visa – subclass 300 (engaged to an Australian citizen/PR/eligible NZ citizen). After marrying within the allowed period, most applicants transition to Partner visas (820/801). 


2) Who can sponsor & relationship rules

  • The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen (and 18+). 
  • Married or de facto partners can apply. For de facto, you generally need 12 months of living together at lodgement unless exempt (e.g., some states/territories allow relationship registration, which can waive the 12-month requirement—check your state rules). 
  • Both applicant and sponsor must meet character requirements; police checks are common, and the Department may request Form 80 for character assessment. 

Tip: De facto “12 months” is about evidence, not just time. Show a genuine, continuing relationship across financial, household, social, and commitment aspects (leases, joint bills/accounts, photos, travel, statements, etc.). Home Affairs explains what evidence to attach. 

3) Forms & documents you’ll actually use

Most partner applications are lodged online in ImmiAccount (no paper pack). The Department’s Partner visa FAQs and the subclass pages confirm online lodgement.  

Common items you’ll prepare/submit:

  • Online application via ImmiAccount for the visa (applicant) and online sponsorship (sponsor). 
  • Form 888 (PDF) — supporting statements from friends/family who know your relationship (2+ is typical). 
  • Form 80 (PDF) — personal particulars/character form (often requested; complete if asked). 
  • Police checks:
    • Australia — AFP National Police Check using Code 33 (Immigration/Citizenship). 
    • Other countries — follow How to get a police certificate for each country lived in. 
  • Health examinations with panel physicians after lodgement (eMedical).

Legacy paper forms like Form 47SP (visa application) and Form 40SP (sponsorship) appear in old materials, but current partner applications are made online; the system captures these details digitally. Always follow the current subclass page and ImmiAccount prompts. 


4) Step-by-step (typical flow)

  1. Choose your pathway (onshore 820/801; offshore 309/100; or 300 fiancé(e)). Read your visa page completely.
  2. Create/Sign in to ImmiAccount and start the partner visa application (and the sponsorship application for your partner). The online flow provides a document checklist. 
  3. Gather evidence of your relationship (financial/household/social/commitment), plus identity documents, photos, travel history, etc. (see “Important information for your application”). 
  4. Pay the fees online, lodge, then complete biometrics/health if instructed and submit police checks (AFP with Code 33 for Australia). 
  5. After you apply
    1. Onshore (820/801): you’re usually granted a Bridging visa A to remain lawfully in Australia; to travel, apply for a Bridging visa B. 
    2. Offshore (309/100) or Prospective Marriage (300): you do not get a bridging visa to come or stay in Australia—travel requires a separate temporary visa if needed. Check your subclass page. 
  6. Permanent stage: after time has passed (usually around two years from initial application), you’ll be invited to complete Stage 2 – 801 or 100 in ImmiAccount.


5) Official pages (bookmark these)

6) Practical tips to strengthen your file

  • Tell your story with dates: a timeline (first contact → living together → milestones) that matches your evidence helps decision-makers assess genuineness. (See “Important information for your application”.) 
  • Use Form 888s well: pick witnesses who can speak to all 4 aspects (financial, household, social, commitment), not just one. 
  • De facto applicants: if 12-month cohabitation is tricky, research state/territory relationship registration to understand if it can waive the time rule; you still need genuine-relationship evidence. 
  • Checklists change: rely on the live checklist in ImmiAccount and the Document Checklist Tool every time. 

7) FAQs

Q1. What’s the difference between 820/801 and 309/100?

820/801 is for applicants in Australia; 309/100 is for applicants outside Australia. Both are two-stage (temporary then permanent). 

Q2. Can I travel if I lodged onshore (820/801)?

A standard Bridging visa A does not permit travel; you must apply for a Bridging visa B before you leave Australia. 

Q3. We’re de facto but under 12 months—can we still apply?

Possibly. Some applicants rely on relationship registration (state/territory-based) to waive the 12-month cohabitation requirement, but you must still prove a genuine, continuing relationship. Check your state rules and your subclass page. 

Q4. Which police checks do we need?

For the time you have spent in Australia, use the AFP National Police Check with Code 33; and for other countries, you should follow the Home Affairs’ country-specific instructions made by the government of that country. 

Q5. Do I have to lodge paper forms like 47SP/40SP?

No—current partner applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount (the system captures the details those paper forms used to collect). 

Q6. Are there sponsorship limits?

Home Affairs sets sponsorship rules and checks for partner visas; see Partner visa FAQs and the “For sponsors” sections on the subclass pages for current requirements, including police-check expectations and limitations/waivers. 

8) Quick “what to prepare” checklist (summary)

  • Passport(s) + identity docs
  • Relationship timeline + evidence across financial / household / social / commitment
  • Form 888 (2 or more statements) 
  • Police checks (AFP Code 33 + any foreign checks) Health exams (when instructed) 
  • If onshore, understand BVA/BVB travel rules before booking tickets. 

For More information regarding this Visa click on the link : Immigration and citizenship Website+1

Disclaimer (use this at the end of your article)

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Partner-visa legislation, policy settings, forms, fees and processing arrangements can change without notice. Always verify your exact requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs pages for your subclass (820/801, 309/100, 300), the Partner visa FAQs, Character/Police Check guidance (including AFP Code 33), and Health examinations pages linked above before you apply. If your case involves complexity (prior refusals/cancellations, criminal history, time apart, family-violence provisions, bridging-visa travel, or sponsorship limitations), seek tailored advice from a registered migration agent or Australian immigration lawyer. Neither the author nor publisher accepts responsibility for outcomes arising from use of this material. 




Advertisement