Start a New Life Together in Australia with the 801 Partner Visa
Category: Education | Author: scarlettwatson | Published: April 24, 2025
Starting a new chapter with your partner in Australia is an exciting step. If you’re in a committed relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the partner visa 801 could be your ticket to making that dream a reality. But like most things immigration-related, the process can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is the 801 Partner Visa?
The 801 partner visa is a permanent visa that allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently. It’s the second stage in a two-part process that usually begins with the 820 temporary partner visa.
Once you’ve held the temporary visa for a while—usually around two years—and your relationship is still genuine and ongoing, you can apply for the 801 visa to stay in Australia permanently.
How the Process Works
The journey to the 801 partner visa typically starts with a combined application for both the temporary (subclass 820) and permanent (subclass 801) visas. When you lodge the application, you’re essentially applying for both stages at once.
You’ll first be granted the temporary visa (820), which lets you stay in Australia while your 801 application is processed. After two years (from the date of your initial application), Immigration will assess whether your relationship is still genuine and continuing. If everything checks out, you’ll be granted the 801 permanent partner visa.
What Are the Requirements?
To be eligible for the 801 visa, you need to meet a few key criteria:
- You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship with your partner.
- You must have applied for the temporary 820 visa and still hold it (or have held it recently).
- You’ll need to provide updated evidence that your relationship is continuing.
- You and your partner must meet health and character requirements.
It’s important to remember that the Department of Home Affairs places a lot of weight on evidence—photos, shared finances, joint leases, and statements from friends or family can all help show that your relationship is real.
What Are the Benefits of the 801 Partner Visa?
Once you’re granted the 801 partner visa, you’ll enjoy all the rights of a permanent resident. That means:
- You can stay in Australia indefinitely.
- You can work and study freely.
- You have access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system).
- You can sponsor family members to come to Australia.
- After a few years, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
It’s a big step—but for many couples, it’s one worth taking.
Tips for a Smooth Application Process
Applying for a visa can be stressful, but a bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are a few tips:
- Keep records: From the day you apply for the 820 visa, start building a paper trail of your life together. Save receipts, take photos, and keep copies of emails, letters, and texts.
- Update your details: If anything changes—your address, your job, or your relationship—let the Department of Home Affairs know.
- Don’t miss deadlines: Keep track of your two-year mark and be ready to submit updated documents for the 801 stage.
- Consider getting help: A registered migration agent can guide you through the process, especially if your situation is a bit complex.
Final Thoughts
The 801 partner visa is more than just a visa—it’s a doorway to building a future with your partner in one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse countries. While the process might seem a little daunting at first, taking it step by step makes it more manageable.
Every couple’s story is unique, and the Department of Home Affairs understands that. Be honest, be thorough, and most importantly—be yourselves.