5 Vital tidbits for the onshore Partner Visa (820/801)

If you or your partner are planning to apply for an onshore Partner Visa in Australia, there are a few things you need to understand before you lodge. The Partner Visa (subclasses 820 and 801) is one of the most complex and document-heavy visa streams in the Australian migration system — and being unprepared can cost you time, money, and in some cases, your application.

Here are five things every applicant should know.



1. It's a Two-Stage Process

The onshore Partner Visa is not a single grant —generally it is a two-stage process. When you first lodge, you are applying for the temporary stage (subclass 820). This allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is assessed. The permanent stage (subclass 801) is then granted two years after the initial lodgement date, provided you are still in a genuine relationship.

There is an important exception: if you and your partner have been in a long-term relationship — generally three or more years, or two or more years if you have a dependent child together — both stages may be granted simultaneously at the time of the initial decision.

2. You Need Strong Evidence Across Four Domains

Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four specific categories: financial aspects, household aspects, social aspects, and commitment. Weak evidence in any one of these areas can raise questions about the genuineness of your relationship. A well-prepared application covers all four thoroughly.

3. Processing Times Are Long

Current processing times for the 820 visa are exceeding 18 months. A well prepared, application is essential to avoid any further delays.

4. You Can Add Evidence After Lodgement — But Don't Rely on It

You are able to upload additional supporting evidence after your application has been lodged. However, best practice is to submit a decision-ready application from day one. Think of post-lodgement uploads as a way to strengthen an already solid application — not a safety net for a thin one.

5. The De Facto Start Date Is Critical

If you are not married or in a registered relationship, you must show at least 12 months of a genuine de facto relationship before lodging. The date you nominate needs to be clearly supported by your evidence. Think carefully about when your relationship genuinely became a de facto partnership — not just when you started dating — and make sure your documentation reflects that timeline.

Need help with your Partner Visa application?

At Shamrock Migration Services we work with applicants to build thorough, well-evidenced Partner Visa applications from the ground up. Get in touch for a consultation — www.shamrockmigrationservices.com