Every way a partner can reach Australia — in one place.
"Partner visa" usually means one thing to most people — but Australia's migration system offers partner and family unit pathways across more than a dozen visa programs, not just the dedicated partner subclasses. This guide covers the real mechanics of all of them: the standalone Subclass 300/820/801/309/100 pathway, and partner inclusion across the 500, 482, 186, 494, 189, 190 and 491 visas.
What actually counts as a "partner pathway" to Australia?
There are three distinct ways a partner reaches Australia. First, a dedicated partner visa (Subclass 300, 820, 801, 309 or 100) — applied for specifically because of the relationship, sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Second, being included as a secondary applicant on someone else's visa application — common on the 500 student visa and skilled or employer-sponsored visas like the 482, 186, 494, 189, 190 and 491. Third, joining later as a subsequent entrant under the same visa subclass, once the primary applicant already holds their visa. Which one applies changes the entire process, timeline and evidence required.
Dedicated visa, secondary applicant, or subsequent entrant?
Every partner pathway on this page falls into one of these three buckets — understanding which one applies to you is the first real decision.
Partner is the whole point
Subclass 300, 820, 801, 309, 100. The relationship itself is the basis of the application — sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Two-stage: temporary then permanent
- Onshore (820/801) or offshore (309/100)
- Prospective Marriage (300) for engaged couples
Partner joins the same application
The partner is added to a student, skilled, or employer-sponsored application at the same time as the primary applicant, as a "member of the family unit."
- Common on Subclass 500, 482, 186, 494, 189, 190, 491
- Assessed alongside the primary applicant
- Own health & character requirements still apply
Partner joins later
The primary applicant already holds the visa; the partner applies afterward for the same subclass, rather than at the same time.
- Available on 482, 186, 494, 189, 190, 491 and others
- Relationship must still meet the same genuine criteria
- Useful when circumstances change after grant
Partner pathway explorer
Filter by category or search a subclass number to find exactly how your situation fits.
| Subclass ↕ | Visa Name ↕ | Category ↕ | Onshore/Offshore | What It Means for a Partner |
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This table summarises how each visa treats a partner — it is not a substitute for the specific eligibility criteria in Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994, which apply in full to every application.
How the Subclass 820/801 and 309/100 process actually works
One combined application, two decisions, roughly two years apart.
Choose onshore or offshore
Apply for 820 (leading to 801) if you're in Australia when you lodge. Apply for 309 (leading to 100) if you're outside Australia. Engaged but not yet living together 12 months? The Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage visa may be the starting point instead.
Confirm the relationship type
Married couples can apply immediately if the marriage is legally valid. De facto couples generally need 12 months of genuine cohabitation, waived if the relationship is registered or you have a child together.
Lodge the combined application
Both the temporary and permanent stages are applied for together, with one combined fee, sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Temporary visa decision (820/309)
Assessed first — onshore applicants typically receive a Bridging Visa A while waiting. Current processing commonly runs well over a year, though this varies by caseload.
Permanent visa assessment (801/100)
Generally assessed approximately two years after the temporary stage, provided the relationship remains genuine and continuing.
Permanent grant
Once approved, the permanent visa (801 or 100) grants indefinite stay and can lead toward eligibility for Australian citizenship over time.
The four pillars of relationship evidence
Every dedicated partner visa application is assessed against these categories — strength across all four matters more than any single strong document.
Financial
Joint accounts, shared bills, joint ownership or liabilities.
Household
Shared living arrangements, joint leases, division of chores.
Social
How you present as a couple to family, friends, and community.
Commitment
Length and nature of the relationship, future plans, and mutual commitment.
Including a partner on a skilled, employer or student visa
This is a completely different mechanism from the dedicated partner visa — no separate sponsorship by the partner is required.
Applying together (secondary applicant)
If your partner meets the "member of the family unit" definition when you lodge your primary application — for the 500 student visa, or the 482, 186, 494, 189, 190 or 491 skilled and employer visas — they can be included in the same application.
- Genuine spouse or de facto relationship required
- Partner must independently meet health and character requirements
- Assessed and, generally, granted alongside the primary applicant
Joining later (subsequent entrant)
If the relationship began, or circumstances changed, after the primary applicant's visa was already granted, the partner can apply as a subsequent entrant for the same visa subclass.
- Same relationship and family unit criteria apply
- Available across 482, 186, 494, 189, 190, 491 and others
- A separate application, lodged after the primary grant
Bonus: partner skill points on the skilled migration points test
Separate again from both of the above, the general skilled migration points test includes a "partner skill" item. Depending on your partner's age, English level, and skills — or if your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident — this can add points to your Subclass 189, 190 or 491 application, on top of simply including them on the visa.
What every partner pathway needs, at minimum
Proof of a genuine relationship
Whatever the pathway, decision-makers need real evidence the relationship is genuine and ongoing — not just a certificate.
Health and character clearances
Every partner or family unit applicant, regardless of pathway, must independently meet Australia's health and character requirements.
The right sponsor or primary applicant
Dedicated partner visas need an eligible sponsor. Secondary/subsequent pathways need a valid primary visa holder or applicant.
Correct timing
Whether it's the 12-month de facto rule, a subsequent entrant window, or a points test deadline — timing errors are one of the most common causes of delay.
What actually defines "partner" in Australian law
In plain terms
Every pathway on this page ultimately traces back to the same handful of legal definitions — the visa subclass just determines how they're applied.
- Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s5F — defines "spouse," requiring a legally valid marriage recognised under Australian law.
- Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s5CB — defines "de facto partner," generally requiring at least 12 months of a genuine, committed relationship, with exceptions for registered relationships or a child together.
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), reg 1.12 — defines "member of the family unit," the basis for including a partner as a secondary applicant or subsequent entrant on non-partner visa subclasses.
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), Schedule 2 — sets out the specific criteria for each visa subclass individually, including Subclass 300, 820, 801, 309, 100, 500, 482, 186, 494, 189, 190 and 491.
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), Schedule 6D — the skilled migration points test, including the "partner skill" points item referenced above.
Family violence provisions also exist within the Migration Regulations, allowing some partner visa applicants to continue their application independently of their sponsor in defined circumstances. This is a sensitive, case-specific area — always seek direct advice if it may apply to you.
Partner pathway FAQs
A dedicated partner visa is applied for because of the relationship itself, sponsored by your partner. Being a secondary applicant means you're added to your partner's own visa application — a student or skilled visa, for example — as a member of their family unit.
De facto couples generally need at least 12 months of genuine cohabitation, waived if the relationship is registered with a state or territory authority, or if you have a child together. Married couples don't need to meet this rule.
Yes, in many cases, through the subsequent entrant pathway available on visas including the 482, 186, 494, 189, 190 and 491 — provided your relationship still meets the genuine partner or de facto criteria.
It can. The skilled migration points test includes a partner skill item that may add points depending on your partner's age, English ability, and qualifications — separate from simply including them on your visa application.
This is genuinely case-specific — options can include family violence provisions in some circumstances, or the application may not proceed to the permanent stage. Seek direct advice as early as possible if this happens to you.
Every subclass, definition and process step on this page is written to be checked, not just trusted. Visa Application Charges changed on 1 July 2026 — confirm the current fee for your exact pathway using the Department of Home Affairs' official Visa Pricing Estimator, and confirm current processing times and criteria at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, before acting on anything here.
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Your relationship, the right visa pathway.
Uniallies helps couples work out whether a dedicated partner visa, secondary applicant inclusion, or a subsequent entrant application gives the strongest, fastest realistic route to being together in Australia.