One of the most common sources of anxiety for couples applying for the Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 820) is understanding how the application process actually works and how long it takes. The process can feel complex, slow, and overwhelming—especially for DIY applicants navigating it without professional representation.
This guide explains the entire application process step by step, outlines realistic timelines, and highlights what you can expect after you lodge your application.
Overview: How the Partner Visa 820 Process Works
The Partner Visa pathway is a two-stage process:
- Subclass 820 (Temporary Partner Visa)
- Subclass 801 (Permanent Partner Visa)
Both visas are applied for together in one combined application, but they are assessed at different times.
If you apply onshore (inside Australia), you will be assessed first for the Subclass 820. If granted, you remain on that visa until the Department later assesses you for the Subclass 801 permanent stage.
Step 1: Confirm You Are Eligible to Apply Onshore
Before starting, you must ensure:
- You are inside Australia when you lodge the application
- You are in a genuine and ongoing relationship with:
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An eligible New Zealand citizen
- You are either:
- Married, or
- In a de facto relationship (usually 12 months, unless an exception applies)
Applying for the wrong visa (for example, 820 instead of offshore 309) is a common DIY mistake and can lead to refusal.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Before Lodging
A strong DIY application is prepared, not rushed. Before lodging, you should gather:
Core Application Components
- Identity documents (passports, birth certificates)
- Relationship evidence across all categories
- Sponsorship documents from the Australian partner
- Health and character planning
- Statutory declarations
- A relationship timeline or statement
Once you lodge, you cannot change your answers, only add evidence—so accuracy matters.
Step 3: Lodge the Partner Visa Application Online
The Subclass 820/801 application is lodged online via ImmiAccount.
At the time of lodgement, you will:
- Submit the main applicant visa application
- Submit the sponsor application
- Pay the visa application charge
- Upload initial documents (you do not need everything uploaded on day one)
Once submitted:
- You receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
- Your application enters the processing queue
Step 4: Bridging Visa Grant (If Applicable)
If you are on a temporary visa (such as a tourist, student, or working visa) when you apply, you will usually be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA).
Important Bridging Visa Points
- The BVA does not activate immediately
- It activates only when your current visa expires
- It usually allows:
- Full work rights
- Medicare access (once enrolled)
- Travel is not allowed unless you apply for a Bridging Visa B
DIY mistake: Leaving Australia without a Bridging Visa B can cause your application to be taken as withdrawn.
Step 5: Health and Character Checks
Health Checks
- Medical examinations are usually required
- You should only complete them when requested or when advised strategically
- Completing them too early may cause them to expire before assessment
Police Checks
- Required for:
- Australia, and
- Any country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16
Police checks and health exams are common causes of processing delays when not managed carefully.
Step 6: Application Assessment Period (Waiting Phase)
This is the longest part of the process—and the most stressful for DIY applicants.
During this phase:
- The Department reviews your relationship evidence
- They assess sponsorship eligibility
- They may request:
- Further documents
- Updated evidence
- Clarification of inconsistencies
You can (and should) upload updated relationship evidence over time, such as:
- New joint leases or bills
- Updated bank statements
- New photos or travel records
- Updated statutory declarations
Typical Subclass 820 Processing Timeframes
Processing times vary significantly based on:
- Completeness of the application
- Quality of relationship evidence
- Applicant’s immigration history
- Country of origin
- Departmental workload
General Timeframes (Indicative Only)
- Subclass 820: often 12–24 months
- Subclass 801: assessed approximately 2 years after lodgement
Some applicants are granted the 820 earlier, while others wait longer. There are no guaranteed timeframes.
Step 7: Subclass 820 Visa Grant
If the Department is satisfied that:
- Your relationship is genuine and ongoing
- Health and character requirements are met
- Sponsorship is valid
You will be granted the Subclass 820 temporary partner visa.
This allows you to:
- Remain lawfully in Australia
- Work and study without restriction
- Enrol in Medicare
- Continue building evidence for the permanent stage
Step 8: Preparing for the Subclass 801 Stage
You do not lodge a new application for the 801. Instead:
- Around 2 years after your original application, the Department invites you to provide updated relationship evidence
- You must show the relationship is still genuine and ongoing
Evidence often includes:
- Updated joint finances
- Proof of continued cohabitation
- Social and commitment evidence
- Updated statutory declarations
This stage is just as important as the first—and DIY applicants should continue documenting their relationship throughout the entire process.
Common DIY Timeline Mistakes to Avoid
- Lodging before meeting eligibility
- Submitting weak or poorly organised evidence
- Ignoring bridging visa travel rules
- Failing to update evidence during processing
- Assuming marriage guarantees approval
- Not preparing for the 801 stage early
How to Reduce Delays as a DIY Applicant
While you cannot control processing speed, you can reduce delays by:
- Submitting a clear, well-organised application
- Uploading front-loaded, strong relationship evidence
- Responding promptly to Department requests
- Keeping documents consistent and up to date
- Maintaining a clear relationship timeline
Final Thoughts
The Partner Visa 820 application process is lengthy, detailed, and evidence-heavy, but it is absolutely possible to manage successfully as a DIY applicant—if you understand the process and plan carefully.
The key is to treat the application as a long-term project, not a one-day submission. From lodgement to permanent residency, every stage requires attention, documentation, and consistency.
✅ Key Takeaways
- The 820/801 is a two-stage visa applied for together
- You must be in Australia when applying for the 820
- A bridging visa usually applies after lodgement
- Processing times are long and variable
- Evidence should be updated throughout the process
- The 801 stage requires fresh proof of an ongoing relationship
Want step-by-step guidance? Check out our DIY Partner Visa Package here.
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