Family and Partner Visas

Partner · Parent · Child

The pathways to living in Australia with your family, from spouse and de facto partner visas through to parent, child and other relative visas.

Visas in this category at a glance

The summaries below set out what each visa is for and who it suits. Details that change often, such as application charges and processing times, are linked through to the Department of Home Affairs.

Subclass 820 / 801
Partner (Onshore)Temporary → Permanent
The partner visa lodged from within Australia. The temporary visa (820) is granted first and converts to the permanent visa (801) after a qualifying period.
Who it suits: Your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
- Evidence establishing that the relationship is genuine and continuing is central.
- Assessment runs across four pillars: financial aspects, the nature of the household, social context and the nature of your commitment.
- A de facto relationship generally requires a period of cohabitation, which registration of the relationship can sometimes substitute for.
- You must be in Australia both when the application is lodged and when the temporary visa is decided.
- The sponsoring partner also has eligibility requirements and undertakings to meet.
Read the official Home Affairs guidance
Subclass 309 / 100
Partner (Offshore)Temporary → Permanent
The partner visa lodged from outside Australia. The temporary visa (309) is granted first and converts to the permanent visa (100).
Who it suits: You are living overseas and intend to move to Australia with an Australian citizen or permanent resident partner
- You must be outside Australia both when the application is lodged and when the temporary visa is decided.
- The relationship evidence requirements are the same as for an onshore (820) application.
- Children applying with you can be included in the application.
- Once the temporary visa is granted you can enter Australia, work and access Medicare.
Read the official Home Affairs guidance

Partner visas (Subclass 820/801 and 309/100)

If you apply from within Australia you lodge subclass 820/801; if you apply from outside Australia you lodge subclass 309/100. Both are two-stage visas: the temporary visa (820 or 309) is granted first, and after a qualifying period it converts to the permanent visa (801 or 100).

The key requirements are as follows.

Be in a genuine relationship with a spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Be sponsored by that spouse or de facto partner.
For onshore applications (820/801), be in Australia both when the application is lodged and when the temporary visa is decided. Family members applying with you must also be in Australia.

For partner visas, the quality of your relationship evidence determines the outcome. We advise case by case on what to gather and how to organise it across the four pillars assessed: financial aspects, the nature of the household, social context and the nature of your commitment to each other.

Other family visas

Australia's family migration programme includes a number of visas, and which one is available depends on the requirements you meet.

The main family visa options are as follows.

Adoption visa (subclass 102): for a child under 18 being adopted and brought to Australia.
Aged dependent relative visa (subclass 114 · 838): for an aged relative of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Carer visa (subclass 836 · 116): where a relative in Australia needs assistance or medical care.
Child visa (subclass 101 · 802): for a child to live with a parent or legal guardian in Australia.
Dependent child visa (subclass 445): allows a partner visa applicant's child to join them in Australia.
New Zealand citizen family relationship visa (subclass 461).
Orphan relative visa (subclass 117 · 837).
Remaining relative visa (subclass 115 · 835).

What do I need to prepare?

The documents required differ by visa, but the items below are common to most applications. Checking them in advance makes the process considerably faster.

Documents that have to be obtained from overseas, such as police certificates and qualification verifications, take the longest, so start with those.

Identity and personal documents

Passport copy (biographical page, with sufficient validity remaining)
Birth certificate or family relation certificate (with certified English translation)
Passport-style photographs
Documents relating to any change of name
The grant notice for your current visa

Qualifications and employment

Final qualification certificate and academic transcript (in English)
Employment references stating position, dates of employment, principal duties and type of engagement
Payslips or tax withholding records supporting your actual employment
Trade certificates and licences, where the occupation requires them
Skills assessment outcome letter

English language

Test results from an accepted provider such as IELTS, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT
Results have a validity period, so check them against your intended lodgement date
Check whether you fall within an exemption, such as holding a passport from an English-speaking country

Health and character

Health examination results from a panel physician
Australian police check (AFP Police Check)
Police certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16
Military service documents, where applicable

Relationship evidence (partner and family visas)

Marriage certificate or relationship registration certificate
Joint accounts, utility bills, tenancy agreements and other evidence of shared finances and housing
Photographs together, travel records and message history showing the relationship is continuing
Statutory declarations from family and friends on both sides (Form 888)
Joint insurance policies, wills and beneficiary nominations showing mutual commitment

Employer documents (sponsored visas)

Business registration (ABN · ACN) and financial statements
Evidence the business is genuinely operating (transaction records, contracts, website)
Position description and organisational chart
Draft employment contract
Labour Market Testing (LMT) advertising evidence, where required

The list above is a general guide. We will give you an individual list of what your case actually requires at the consultation, and check whether documents you already hold can be used.

Migration terms worth knowing

Visa documents and correspondence all arrive in English. Knowing the recurring terms in advance makes both the consultation and the assessment process much easier.

ANZSCOOccupation classification: The occupation classification system used jointly by Australia and New Zealand. The code you apply under determines the qualifications and experience required and which visas are available, which is why it is the first thing settled in any migration plan.
Skills AssessmentSkills assessment: The process by which a designated authority assesses whether you hold the qualifications and experience for your chosen occupation code. A different authority handles each occupation, and assessment can take several months.
EOIExpression of Interest: Registering your score and details in SkillSelect. An EOI is not itself a visa application; you must receive an invitation before you can apply.
Points TestPoints test: The assessment method that converts age, English language ability, work experience, qualifications, partner attributes and state nomination into points and totals them. The central gate for skilled visas.
NominationNomination: The process by which an employer or state government nominates a particular applicant or position. It is a separate application from the visa, and if the nomination is refused the visa cannot proceed.
LMTLabour Market Testing: The requirement to advertise a position in a prescribed way to demonstrate that an attempt was made to fill it from within Australia. There are conditions on the medium, duration and content of the advertising.
Bridging VisaBridging visa: A temporary visa granted for the assessment period where you lodge your next application before your current visa expires. Work and travel rights differ by type, so the conditions need checking.
Condition 8503No Further Stay: A visa carrying this condition prevents you from applying for another visa within Australia. A waiver can be sought, but the grounds are strictly applied.
Schedule 3Schedule 3 criteria: Additional criteria that apply to an onshore application made while you are unlawful. They are only waived where exceptional circumstances are accepted.
PIC 4020False or misleading information: A ground of refusal that applies where false or misleading information or documents were provided during an application. Where it applies, further applications are barred for a period.
ARTAdministrative Review Tribunal: The body that reviews visa refusal and cancellation decisions made by the Department. It replaced the former AAT in October 2024, and applications are subject to strict time limits.
RFIRequest for Information: A notice from the case officer requesting further material needed to decide the case. There is a deadline to respond, and if you do not, a decision is made on the material already held.