Bringing a partner, spouse, or family member to Australia permanently is one of the most significant visa applications you will ever lodge — and one of the most closely scrutinised. EPA’s MARA-registered agents build applications that demonstrate genuine relationships with the depth and consistency the Department expects.
Onshore — apply in Australia
Offshore — apply from abroad
Typical wait for permanent stage
Relationship evidence categories
The partner visa is a two-stage process that ultimately leads to permanent residence — but it is also one of the most document-intensive and emotionally charged applications in the system. The Department of Home Affairs wants to be satisfied that the relationship is genuine, ongoing, and not entered into primarily for migration purposes.
That assessment happens twice: once at the temporary stage, and again at the permanent stage (usually around two years later). Between those two assessments, the couple must continue to demonstrate their relationship is real and progressing. This means the way you build and document your relationship over time matters — not just at the moment you apply.
EPA’s MARA agents advise on both the initial application structure and the ongoing documentation approach — so that when the permanent stage arrives, you have a consistent and credible record of your relationship over time.
The pathway you choose depends on where you — the applicant — are physically located when you lodge. Both lead to the same permanent outcome; the difference is where you wait.
You are in Australia when you lodge. The 820 is the temporary grant that lets you stay; the 801 is the permanent outcome granted approximately 2 years later — without needing to re-apply.
You are outside Australia when you lodge. The 309 is the temporary grant that allows you to enter Australia; the 100 is the permanent outcome granted approximately 2 years later.
The Department assesses genuine relationship across four distinct categories. A strong application provides consistent and credible evidence across all four — not just one or two. Weakness in any category raises questions.
How you manage money together
How you live together day to day
How your relationship appears to others
The depth and future of the relationship
Partner visas are among the slowest in the Australian system. Processing times are heavily dependent on application volume, completeness, and individual circumstances.
Temporary stage (820 or 309) From lodgement to first grant (indicative)
Waiting period before permanent stage From original lodgement date (indicative)
Total journey to permanent residence End to end — can vary significantly
When you lodge an onshore partner visa (820), you are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This protects your right to remain in Australia while the application is assessed.
Yes — Australia's partner visa system recognises de facto relationships on the same basis as married couples, subject to specific requirements.
For a de facto partner visa application, you must have been living in a genuine de facto relationship for at least 12 months prior to lodging the application.
Exceptions exist where the couple is registered under an Australian state or territory relationship register, or where there are compelling circumstances — such as a child of the relationship. A MARA agent assesses whether any exception applies.
The 12 months is assessed against the cohabitation — not just the relationship. If you were together for 3 years but only began living together recently, the 12-month clock may not have started yet. This is one of the most common misunderstandings EPA sees.
Under Australian migration law, a de facto relationship requires that the two people are not married to each other, are not related by family, and have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others.
Same-sex couples are included — Australia has recognised same-sex de facto relationships for migration purposes since 2009.
The evidence requirements for de facto couples are the same four categories as for married couples — financial, household, social, and commitment. For de facto couples who have not lived together continuously, additional explanation of the relationship history is important.
Australia also provides visa pathways for parents, children and other close family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents. EPA advises on the full spectrum of family migration.
Parent visas allow parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to migrate to Australia. The Contributory Parent Visa (143/884) is significantly more expensive but much faster. The standard Parent Visa (103/804) has extremely long wait times — often 30+ years. EPA advises on which pathway is realistic for your circumstances.
Child visas allow dependent children to join or remain with a parent in Australia. The Child Visa (101/802) applies to biological and adopted children. The Dependent Child Visa (445) is for children of temporary visa holders applying for PR. Stepchild relationships and children born outside marriage may be included with appropriate evidence.
If a partner visa applicant has experienced family or domestic violence, specific provisions exist that may allow the permanent visa to be granted even if the relationship has ended. These provisions are complex and time-sensitive — EPA's MARA agents advise on eligibility and the correct approach if domestic violence has occurred in the course of a partner visa application.
Partner visa applications are the most personal visa we work on. We treat the details of your relationship with the discretion and care they deserve.
We assess whether onshore (820) or offshore (309) is appropriate for your situation and structure the initial application to present the strongest picture of your relationship across all four evidence categories.
We review your evidence across all four categories — financial, household, social, commitment — identifying gaps and advising on additional evidence before lodgement.
We draft statutory declarations for you, your partner, and third-party witnesses — ensuring they address the specific factors the Department looks for, not just general statements of support.
We advise on bridging visa conditions before any international travel — preventing the common mistake of departing Australia and voiding re-entry rights on the BVA.
We track your 2-year waiting period and work with you in the months before the permanent assessment to ensure you have current, consistent relationship evidence ready for the Department.
Prior refusals, relationship breakdowns, domestic violence provisions, children from prior relationships, and long-distance relationships all require careful handling. We advise on the most appropriate approach for your specific situation.
