Eligibility quiz
Are you married to an Australian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Australia
Permanent residents can live in Australia indefinitely.
Temporary holders can live in Australia while their permanent application is processed.
Study in Australia
Permanent residents can study in Australia.
Temporary holders can generally study, but their permission and its conditions control what they can do; check your conditions.
Work in Australia
Permanent residents can work in any lawful job.
Temporary holders can generally work, but their permission and its conditions control what they can do; check your conditions.
Travel and return
Permanent residents can return to Australia from overseas while their travel permission is valid.
Sponsor eligible relatives
Permanent residents can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence, but sponsorship does not guarantee they can move to Australia.
Get crisis help abroad
Permanent residents can generally get Australian consular help during an overseas crisis.
Seek property loans
Permanent residents can generally apply for bank loans to buy property.
Use public healthcare
Permanent residents can enrol in Medicare, Australia’s national health scheme.
Not every treatment is free.
Get government support
Permanent residents may qualify for government payments, depending on the payment, income, assets and residence.
Newly arrived residents may face waits of one to four years, with different rules or exemptions for some payments.
How to apply
Applying from inside AustraliaApplying from inside Australia
Fill in your application
Create or sign in to your ImmiAccount, select the Partner visa application for subclasses 820 and 801, and fill it in. If you already hold a subclass 820 visa, skip to “Apply for permanent assessment”.
Fill in the applicationHave your partner apply
Ask your sponsoring partner to complete the online “Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia” application and attach it to your visa process. Your partner should supply their police certificates with it or as soon as possible after your visa application.
Complete the sponsorshipGather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your Partner visa application.
See required documentsAttach your documents
Attach the required documents in ImmiAccount, using the checklist generated by your application.
Attach your documentsSubmit your application
Pay the visa application charge in ImmiAccount and submit your application while you are in Australia. Paper applications are accepted only in limited circumstances by invitation.
Submit your applicationKeep permission to stay
Keep permission to stay in Australia and follow the conditions of any bridging visa you are granted. If you need to travel, obtain permission to travel if your visa requires it.
Find bridging visa informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I stay lawfully in Australia and travel while my Partner visa application is being processed?”
Wait for the decision
Watch your ImmiAccount inbox and respond to any requests for documents, biometrics, health examinations or an interview. Wait for the decision on your subclass 820 visa.
Follow your applicationApply for permanent assessment
Once you hold a subclass 820 visa and are eligible for assessment, sign in to ImmiAccount and choose “New application”, “Family”, then “Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)”. Use the application ID from your correspondence and upload the updated documents requested; assessment normally starts two years after your original application.
Start permanent assessmentWait for the decision
Keep watching ImmiAccount and respond to any further requests until you receive the subclass 801 decision. You generally need to be in Australia for this stage unless an exception applies.
Follow your assessmentDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your birth certificate or other evidence of your date and place of birth. Include birth records for any family members in your application; if a child was adopted, add the adoption records.
Partner's citizenship evidence
Provide evidence that your partner is an Australian citizen. Upload a clear copy of the evidence.
Name change records *
Provide evidence of each change to your name. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce record or change-of-name document.
* Only if you have changed your name.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Provide your marriage certificate if you are married. Include records of a previous marriage or relationship, such as divorce or death records, where they apply.
* Only if you or your partner are married or have been married before.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Travel permission expiry
Permanent residents have no automatic right to return from overseas after their travel permission expires, even though permanent residence itself is indefinite.
Status can end
Temporary permission lasts while the permanent application is processed, so holders must avoid overstaying.
Breaking conditions, providing false information or documents, serious crimes, character problems or other legal grounds can lead to cancellation.
Cancellation can also lead to a ban on returning for up to three years or, in some cases, permanently.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Australia Visa and Migration Hub
English Facebook group for people living in Australia interested in Australian visas
Request to joinPartner Visa Australia
English Facebook group for people living in Australia interested in Australian visas
Join on FacebookPartner visa australia - 300, 309,100, 820, 801
English Facebook group for people living in Australia interested in Australian visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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