PARTNER VISA AUSTRALIA: SUBCLASS
300, 309, 100,820 & 801

employer sponsored visa australia

partner visa

Why Apply for a Partner Visa in Australia

A partner visa allows couples to stay together in Australia while one partner is assessed for permanent residency. It’s one of the most common family visa pathways for those in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The partner visa Australia includes temporary and permanent stages and applies to both onshore and offshore applicants-whether you’re married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship.

Types of Partner Visas in Australia

Australia’s partner visa program includes both temporary and permanent options, depending on your relationship stage and location at the time of applying. Here’s how each subclass works:

Prospective Marriage Visa
(Subclass 300)

For engaged applicants applying from outside Australia. It lets you enter the country, marry your partner within 9 months, and then apply for an onshore partner visa.
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Partner Visa
(Subclass 309)

Temporary offshore visa for de facto or married partners. Grants you entry into Australia while you await permanent residency.
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Partner Visa
(Subclass 100)

The permanent residency stage of the offshore pathway. Assessed two years after the Subclass 309 is granted.
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Partner Visa (Subclass 820)

Temporary onshore visa for applicants already in Australia. It allows you to remain while waiting for the permanent stage.
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Partner Visa (Subclass 801)

The final permanent stage for onshore applicants, granted after continued evidence of a genuine relationship over time.
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Pathways to Permanent Residency for Partner Visa Applicants

Most partner visa pathways in Australia follow a two-stage process-starting with a temporary visa and progressing to permanent residency after two years, provided the relationship remains genuine and ongoing.

Partner Visa Australia Requirements

Each subclass has specific eligibility requirements depending on your relationship stage and where you apply from. Here’s a side-by-side overview:

Requirement Subclass 300 Subclass 309 Subclass 100 Subclass 820 Subclass 801
Relationship Type Engaged (must marry in Aus) Married or de facto Same relationship as 309 Married or de facto Same relationship as 820
Location When Applying Outside Australia Outside Australia Automatically considered Inside Australia Automatically considered
Sponsor Must Be Australian citizen/PR or NZ Australian citizen/PR or NZ Australian citizen/PR or NZ Australian citizen/PR or NZ Australian citizen/PR or NZ
Health & Character Checks Required Required Required Required Required
Evidence of Genuine Relationship Required Required Continuation of 309 Required Continuation of 820
Visa Grant Outcome Temporary stay (9 months) Temporary stay Permanent residency Temporary stay Permanent residency

Partner Visa Australia Checklist

While exact requirements can vary slightly across subclasses, here are the core documents applicants must prepare:

Document 300 309 100 820 801
Valid Passport & ID
Sponsor Identity Proof (passport, visa, etc.)
Proof of Relationship (photos, messages, etc.)
Marriage Certificate (or planned wedding date)
Joint Documents (lease, bank, utilities)
Statutory Declarations from Both Partners
Form 888 (supporting statements)
Police Clearance & Health Check
Evidence of Cohabitation (for de facto)

Which Partner Visa Should You Apply For?

Use this comparison to understand which partner visa best fits your situation based on location, relationship status, anc permanent residency goals.

Visa Apply From Relationship Type Path to PR Processing Time More Info
Subclass 300 Outside Australia Engaged (fiancé) 300 → 820 → 801 12–17 months Prospective Marriage Visa
Subclass 309 Outside Australia Married or de facto 309 → 100 15–30 months 309 Partner Visa
Subclass 100 Outside Australia Same as 309 Permanent stage Granted after 2 years 100 Partner Visa
Subclass 820 Inside Australia Married or de facto 820 → 801 12–24 months 820 Partner Visa
Subclass 801 Inside Australia Same as 820 Permanent stage Granted after 2 years 801 Partner Visa

Partner Visa Costs, Timelines & Fees

Here’s what to expect in terms of pricing and wait times for each partner visa subclass:

Visa Processing Time Application Fee (AUD) Visa Outcome
Subclass 300 12–17 months $8,850 approx Temporary fiancé visa
Subclass 309 15–30 months $8,850 approx Temporary partner visa
Subclass 100 ~2 years after 309 grant Included in 309 fee Permanent residency
Subclass 820 12–24 months $8,850 approx Temporary partner visa
Subclass 820 ~2 years after 820 grant Included in 820 fee Permanent residency

Stepping Stones Career Solutions - Immigration, Visa & Education Consultants

4.9Out of 5 stars

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Swtha Lal
a week ago

Previously I have worked with many agencies for visa purposes and found lack of communication in terms of supplying right information and resources. Upon reaching out to so many agencies for right guidance, I finally put my trust with Stepping stone agency. The team who handled my visa application was very helpful and was able to do certain arrangements for me within the dedicated timeframe. I got my visa granted after 3 months. I would like to especially thank Mr Vineet Thakral for your service. It was amazing working with you and hope to work together in future.

palak mengi
a week ago

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support and assistance throughout my immigration process. Your expertise, professionalism, and responsiveness are really great. Special thanks to Saniya.

Irina Thondajee
4 weeks ago

I’m really happy with the support I received from my agency throughout my study journey. They were professional, helpful, and always available to answer my questions. Thanks to them, everything went smoothly!

delaney nicholas
a month ago

I personally believe they are one of the most genuine consultants . They don’t charge you on any visits it’s just one you need to apply for a visa . They are very good with communicating with their clients , my personal experience- I’m a hyper client but they were always there to calm me down no matter how many times I call them . Thank you to Anchal, Saniya , Sadgi, Manveer and Vineet . I’m still going to be working with them and I would recommend others to consider them too .

Thank you for the great support with my visa process. The service was professional and efficient. Highly recommended!✨ Thank you again🙏

4534 Ruby Mittal
a month ago

Visa Extension Approved in Just 20 Days! 🎉 I’m beyond happy to share that my student visa extension was approved within just 20 days after one day of my medical. I’m truly grateful for the smooth and fast process. A big thank you to Anchal mam from stepping stone immigration for the guidance and support throughout the application. Your professionalism and timely communication made all the difference. If anyone is planning to apply for a visa extension or has any doubts about the process, I highly recommend starting early and staying organized – it really helps!

Fatema Khandakar
a month ago

I’ve been with Stepping Stones Career Solutions for as long as I can remember. From helping me with my student visa to successfully getting my partner visa granted, it has truly been a journey. A heartfelt thank you to Gaurav Sir, Vineet, Manveer, Mohit and everyone else who supported me along the way I’m eternally grateful. Your dedication, patience, and willingness to go the extra mile have made a world of difference. I’ve had an amazing experience with this agency. They are reliable, professional, and genuinely care about their clients. I wouldn’t look anywhere else when it comes to handling visa processes. Highly recommend Stepping Stones to anyone who wants trusted guidance and support through their immigration journey!

Sudip Bathia
a month ago

I recently applied for subclass 804 parent visa and Stepping Stones Career Solutions was very helpful in the process. They are very knowledgeable and professional, and I highly recommend taking their services. I'd like to thank Manveer with whom I had initial discussion, and I knew instantly that they are the perfect choice. A very special thanks to Arisha who guided at every step and is very hard working. I had so many queries but she always answered them patiently to ensure that I had a successful outcome. I'd like to wish her and Stepping Stones all the success. Thank you!

artistic station
2 months ago

Highly Recommended for Career and Education Guidance! I had a wonderful experience with Stepping Stones Career Solutions. The team is knowledgeable, approachable, and truly dedicated to helping students find the best academic and career pathways based on their individual circumstances. They listened to my situation carefully and offered tailored advice that made a real difference in my journey. Whether you’re looking to change your course, explore more affordable study options, or plan for long-term goals like PR, they provide reliable and professional support throughout. What stood out most was their transparency and their willingness to go the extra mile to clarify even the smallest doubts. I’d definitely recommend Stepping Stones to anyone seeking genuine, personalized support in their education or migration journey. Thank you to the team for your incredible guidance and support!

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3 months ago

I cannot recommend stepping stones Melbourne highly enough! From the very beginning, the team was incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive throughout my entire immigration process. They took the time to understand my unique situation, explained every step clearly, and made what could have been an overwhelming experience feel manageable and smooth. Their attention to detail and professionalism were truly impressive. Whenever I had questions or concerns, they responded promptly and reassured me with accurate information. Thanks to their guidance, my application was processed efficiently and successfully. If you’re looking for trustworthy, experienced, and genuinely caring immigration agents, look no further than stepping stones Melbourne . They go above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome for their clients. Five stars all the way! Thank u so very much ♥️🙌🏻

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a month ago

I had an excellent experience with Stepping Stones career solutions ! Their service is truly amazing, and I highly recommend them. The entire team is highly dedicated and focused on understanding and meeting their clients' needs. They treat every case as if it were their own, demonstrating professionalism, care, and a genuine commitment to helping their clients succeed. Their personalised approach made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I am extremely grateful for their support and would confidently recommend their services to anyone seeking immigration assistance.

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2 months ago

I’m incredibly grateful to Stepping Stones Career Solutions for their outstanding support throughout my permanent residency process. From the initial consultation to the final approval, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive every step of the way. They provided clear guidance, timely updates, and expert advice tailored to my specific situation. Their attention to detail and thorough preparation made a huge difference in the smooth and successful outcome of my application. Thanks to Stepping Stones, I am now a proud permanent resident! I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a reliable and experienced migration agent.

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3 months ago

I had the best experience with Stepping Stones Career Solutions while applying for my Subclass 485 visa. Their team was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout the entire process. They provided clear guidance, handled all the paperwork efficiently, and kept me updated at every step. Thanks to their expertise, my visa application was smooth and successful. I truly appreciate their dedication and highly recommend them to anyone seeking reliable visa and migration services.

I had an amazing experience with Stepping stones! They handled my student visa application with great professionalism, taking care of all the hard work so I didn’t have to stress about the process. Their team was incredibly knowledgeable, efficient, and always available to answer my questions. The communication was clear and timely, keeping me updated every step of the way. Thanks to their dedication, I got my student visa without any hassle. I highly recommend Stepping stones to anyone looking for a smooth and reliable visa application process!

Pranil Prasad
a month ago

I had a great experience with Stepping Stone Career Solution for my student visa process. A big thank you to Anchal for her helpful guidance and constant support throughout. She was always professional, friendly, and quick to respond to any questions I had. Also, special thanks to Mr. Gaurav Sir, for overseeing everything so smoothly. I truly appreciate the effort and care the team put in to make my visa application successful. Highly recommend their services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parent Visas Australia

The subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers, allowing them to live and work anywhere in Australia without needing sponsorship from an employer, state, or family.

Subclass 189 is independent and offers more flexibility since it doesn’t require state or territory sponsorship. Subclass 190, however, provides additional points for state sponsorship but may require you to live in a specific state initially.

While 75 points may qualify, higher points improve your chances due to the competitive nature of invitations. The required points vary depending on the occupation and invitation rounds.

The minimum required is 65 points, but achieving higher points significantly increases your chances of receiving an invitation.

The application fee for the subclass 189 visa starts at AUD 4,640 for the main applicant, with additional costs for dependents.

A minimum IELTS score of 6 in each band (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) is required. However, higher scores can earn more points for English proficiency.

The subclass 189 visa grants permanent residency, allowing you to live in Australia indefinitely. You can travel to and from Australia for five years from the visa grant date.

Subclass 189: Independent visa; no sponsorship needed; live/work anywhere in Australia.

Subclass 190: Requires state sponsorship; may need to live in the sponsoring state initially; adds 5 points to eligibility.

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