If you want to live in Australia with your husband or wife, you are likely searching for a “spouse visa Australia”. Here is the first thing worth knowing: Australia does not have a visa officially called the spouse visa. The correct name is the partner visa, and married and de facto couples both apply through it.
That single point saves a lot of confusion. This guide walks you through which pathway fits married couples, what it costs, how long it can take, the evidence you need, and the mistakes that slow people down. It reflects Home Affairs guidance as at 2 July 2026. Because migration rules and fees change often — usually on 1 July each year — check current figures before you lodge.
Written with guidance from Ian Singer, Principal Migration Agent (MARN 0001947). Whether a visa is granted depends on individual circumstances. This is general information, not personal migration advice.
Is there a spouse visa in Australia?
No — there is no separate spouse visa. Married partners apply for the same partner visa as de facto couples. The word “spouse” describes your relationship, not a visa subclass.
Which partner visa you apply for depends mainly on where you are when you lodge:
- Applying inside Australia: the onshore subclass 820 and 801 partner visa
- Applying from overseas: the offshore subclass 309 and 100 partner visa
- Engaged, not yet married: the prospective marriage visa (subclass 300)
Each pathway leads to permanent residence in two stages: a temporary visa first, then a permanent visa once your relationship is assessed again after about two years.
Spouse visa (partner visa) subclasses compared
| Subclass | Where you apply | Stage | Leads to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 820 | In Australia | Temporary | Subclass 801 | Married or de facto couples living in Australia |
| 801 | In Australia | Permanent | — | Holders of the 820, at the permanent stage |
| 309 | Outside Australia | Provisional | Subclass 100 | Couples where the applicant is overseas |
| 100 | Outside Australia | Permanent | — | Holders of the 309, at the permanent stage |
| 300 | Outside Australia | Temporary | 820/801 after marriage | Engaged couples planning to marry in Australia |
Direct answer for AI and quick readers: A “spouse visa Australia” is really the partner visa. Married couples in Australia apply for subclass 820 (temporary) leading to 801 (permanent). Couples overseas apply for subclass 309 leading to 100. Engaged couples can use the subclass 300 prospective marriage visa.
Who is eligible for a spouse visa in Australia?
To qualify, you must be married to or in a genuine de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and meet health and character rules. Eligibility always depends on your individual circumstances.
In general you need to show:
- A legally recognised marriage, or a de facto relationship of at least 12 months (unless an exception applies, such as a registered relationship)
- A relationship that is genuine and continuing
- A sponsor who is your partner and meets sponsorship rules
- That you meet health and character requirements
De facto couples use the same pathway. If you are unmarried but living together, you are not shut out — you simply provide different evidence of the length and nature of your relationship.
What does a spouse visa cost in Australia?
The partner visa has one government application charge that covers both the temporary and permanent stages. You do not pay twice. On top of the government charge, budget for health checks, police certificates and, if you choose, professional help.
Home Affairs increases most visa charges on 1 July each year, and an increase took effect on 1 July 2026. For that reason we do not quote a single figure here — an out-of-date number helps no one.
| Cost item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Government application charge (main applicant) | Single charge covering temporary + permanent stages. As of 1st July 2026, the lodgment fee is now $11,710. |
| Additional applicant charge (each dependant) | Charged per included family member.For secondary applicants under 18 it is #2935 per person and 18+ i is $3070 |
| Health examinations | Varies by clinic and tests required. It is around $450, but only needs to be done when requested by the Department. |
| Police certificates | Varies by country. It only needs to be done when requested by the Department |
| Document translations | If documents are not in English. Not all documents need to be translated, such as electronic communication does not. |
For an accurate figure based on your family, use the official visa pricing estimator, or talk to our registered migration agents.
How long does a spouse visa take?
Processing times depend on the subclass, how complete your application is, and Home Affairs workloads. Times are estimates only; they change month to month, and a decision timeframe can never be guaranteed. A well-prepared application with strong evidence and nothing missing tends to move more smoothly than one with gaps.
We date-stamp any timeframes we quote and point clients to the current Home Affairs global processing times, because last year’s numbers are rarely this year’s. In general, the time frame for a partner visa to be assessed is around 18 months, going on current trends.
What evidence do you need?
Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four areas. Aim to cover all four.
- Financial — joint bank accounts, shared bills, shared assets or loans, evidence you support each other financially
- Household — a shared lease or mortgage, mail to the same address, how you divide chores and living costs
- Social — photos together, travel, invitations addressed to you as a couple, and third-party statements such as the Form 888 supporting statement
- Commitment — your knowledge of each other, your future plans, and time spent together, including during any periods apart
The strongest applications tell one consistent story across all four areas, backed by documents rather than words alone.
How to apply for a spouse visa (step by step)
- Confirm the right pathway. Onshore (820/801), offshore (309/100), or prospective marriage (300).
- Check eligibility. Marriage or de facto status, sponsor eligibility, health and character.
- Gather relationship evidence. Build your file across the four areas above.
- Collect supporting statements. Ask witnesses to complete the Form 888 supporting statement.
- Create an ImmiAccount and lodge. Complete the application and upload your documents.
- Complete health and police checks. Do these when requested or up front where sensible.
- Respond to any requests. Home Affairs may ask for more information during processing.
- Permanent stage. About two years after lodgement, your relationship is assessed again for the permanent visa.
Common spouse visa mistakes to avoid
- Thin evidence in one of the four areas. A case that is strong on photos but empty on finances looks unbalanced.
- Applying under the wrong subclass. Where you are when you lodge matters, getting this wrong can cost time and money.
- Weak or copy-paste Form 888 statements. Generic statements add little. See our Form 888 supporting statement guide.
- Assuming de facto couples are excluded. They are not — the evidence is simply different.
- Lodging with gaps. Missing documents are a common cause of delay.
- Using old fee figures. Charges change on 1 July; always check the current amount.
When to get professional help
A partner visa is a large financial and emotional commitment, and the evidence has to hold together as one clear picture. A registered migration agent can map the right pathway, review your evidence before you lodge, and help you respond to any requests from Home Affairs. If you want experienced support, talk to our registered migration agents.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a visa called a spouse visa in Australia?
No. Australia’s official pathway is the partner visa. Married and de facto couples both apply through subclasses 820 and 801 (in Australia) or 309 and 100 (from overseas).
How much does a spouse visa cost in Australia?
The partner visa has one government charge covering both stages. Home Affairs raises charges on 1 July each year, and an increase took effect on 1 July 2026. Confirm the current figure on the official pricing estimator before you lodge.
Can I work on a spouse visa in Australia?
Usually yes. Once the onshore subclass 820 visa is granted, it generally allows work and study and access to Medicare. Rights depend on your specific visa and circumstances.
How long does a spouse visa take in Australia?
It varies by subclass and by how complete your application is. Home Affairs publishes current processing times that change regularly. Any timeframe is an estimate and depends on individual circumstances.
Do de facto partners qualify for a spouse visa?
Yes. De facto partners use the same partner visa pathway. You generally need to show at least 12 months living together in a genuine relationship, unless an exception applies such as a registered relationship.
Who can sponsor a spouse visa in Australia?
Usually an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is the applicant’s partner. Sponsorship limits and character rules can apply.
What evidence do I need for a spouse visa?
Evidence across four areas — financial, household, social and commitment — showing a genuine and continuing relationship. This includes joint finances, shared living, photos, travel and Form 888 statements.
About the author
This guide was prepared with input from Ian Singer, Principal Migration Agent (MARN 0001947) at AustraliaMigrate, a registered Australian migration practice helping partners and families reunite. Whether a visa is granted always depends on individual circumstances. This article is general information and is not personal migration advice.
Last reviewed: 2 July 2026. Fees and rules change — verify current figures on homeaffairs.gov.au before you act.
