Partner Visa Australia: Every Pathway Explained
The Australian partner visa system is not a single visa. It is a family of pathways that differ by the nationality and status of the sponsoring partner, the location of the applicant, and the nature of the relationship. Understanding which pathway applies to your situation is the first and most important step. This page maps every option and points to the specific subclass page that covers each pathway in detail.
The two main pathways
Every partner visa pathway falls into one of two categories. The first category is for partners of Australians, where the sponsor is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The second category is for partners of non-Australian visa holders, where the sponsor holds a temporary Australian visa such as the Subclass 482, 485, 494, 500, or 461.
The first category leads to permanent residence. The second category grants temporary stay mirrored to the primary visa. The distinction determines the applicable subclass, the application process, the fee, and the long-term migration outcome.
Partner of an Australian
Where the sponsoring partner is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the applicable pathway is the Subclass 820/801 partner visa (onshore) or the Subclass 309/100 partner visa (offshore). These visas lead to permanent residence and ultimately to Australian citizenship.
Engaged couples not yet married, where the applicant is outside Australia, may also consider the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa. The Subclass 300 allows entry to Australia to marry, followed by transition to the onshore partner visa stream.
Partner of a non-Australian visa holder
Where the sponsoring partner holds a temporary Australian visa rather than permanent residence or citizenship, the applicable pathway is a subsequent entrant visa under the same subclass as the primary visa. This allows the partner to live in Australia for the duration of the primary visa, typically with full work or study rights matching those of the primary holder.
Subsequent entrant pathways exist for Subclass 482, 485, 494, 500, and related subclasses. A separate pathway applies to partners of New Zealand citizens who are not eligible New Zealand citizens under the Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa.
Who counts as an eligible sponsor
Sponsor eligibility is one of the first issues to clarify. The term "eligible New Zealand citizen" in partner visa context is narrow. It means a New Zealand citizen who was in Australia on 26 February 2001, or who was in Australia for at least 12 months in the two years immediately before that date, or who has been assessed as such by Centrelink. Most New Zealand citizens in Australia today do not meet this definition and are not eligible sponsors for the Subclass 820/801 or 309/100. Partners of those New Zealand citizens instead apply under the Subclass 461.
Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are eligible sponsors subject to sponsor limits. A sponsor can generally sponsor only two partners in a lifetime, and must wait five years between sponsorships. Limited exceptions apply for compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Pathway decision framework
Three questions determine the correct pathway for any partner seeking to join their Australian-based partner in Australia.
Question 1: Is the sponsor Australian or does the sponsor hold a temporary visa?
If Australian (citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen), the pathway leads to permanent residence through the partner visa program. If the sponsor holds a temporary visa, the pathway leads to temporary stay mirrored to that visa.
Question 2: Where is the applicant located at the time of application?
Inside Australia leads to the onshore Subclass 820/801. Outside Australia leads to the offshore Subclass 309/100, or to the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa if the couple is engaged but not yet married.
Question 3: Is the relationship recognised as married, de facto, or prospective?
Married couples have no 12-month cohabitation threshold. De facto couples must generally show 12 months of cohabitation unless the relationship is registered under state or territory law or compelling circumstances apply. Engaged couples not yet married apply under the Subclass 300 pathway where the applicant is offshore.
Relationship types recognised under Australian migration law
Australian migration law recognises married and de facto relationships on equal terms, regardless of the gender of the partners. Same-sex relationships are treated identically to opposite-sex relationships at every step of the assessment. The same evidence standards, thresholds, and outcomes apply.
Within the broader LGBTQ community, additional strategic considerations can arise where the applicant comes from a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised or where social recognition of the relationship has been limited. These considerations do not change the legal standard, but they do affect how evidence is gathered and presented.
Specific pages for each pathway
Each pathway is covered in detail on a dedicated page. Start with the pathway that best matches your situation.
Partner Visa with Australian Sponsor
Sponsor is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen
Partner Visa Subclasses
Subclass 100, 309, 801, and 820 technical detail
Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Engaged couple, applicant offshore, marry in 9 months
Dependent Visa Pathways
Partner of a non-Australian visa holder
Not sure which pathway applies to your situation?
Most partner visa refusals begin with an applicant choosing the wrong pathway. The fee is the same, but the evidence standard, the timing, and the outcome are not. Visa Plan Lawyers provides strategic advice on the correct pathway before any application is lodged. Book a consultation to clarify your options.