801 Partner visa (Permanent) (subclass 801)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Partner visa (subclass 801)
Visa type	Permanent Partner visa
Stay	Permanently
Cost	Paid with original application
Eligibility timing	Usually two years after application
Current visa required	Subclass 820 or 445
Work rights	Full work rights
Study	Study in Australia
Medicare	Access Medicare
Travel facility	Multiple travel for five years
Citizenship	May apply if eligible
Family sponsorship	Sponsor eligible family members
Family inclusion	Limited dependent-child arrangements
Visa record	Digital record linked to passport
Processing times	Vary; guide only

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Purpose

The permanent Partner visa lets the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen live permanently in Australia.

It is usually for people who hold a temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).

Eligibility

You must:

• Hold a Partner visa (subclass 820) or Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).
• Usually wait until two years after lodging the combined subclass 820 and 801 application before permanent-stage assessment.
• Continue to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same sponsor.
• Meet health requirements, including for relevant family members.
• Repay or arrange repayment of Australian Government debts.
• Meet character requirements where required.

The Department might grant the permanent visa in less than two years if you were in a long-term partner relationship when you applied.

A visa might not be granted if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Relationship changes

You might remain eligible if your relationship ends or your partner dies before the decision. This may also apply where you experience domestic and family violence. Notify the Department of relationship changes.

Stay and Rights

You become an Australian permanent resident on the visa grant date.

You can:

• Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
• Access Medicare.
• Travel in and out of Australia for five years.
• Sponsor eligible family members.
• Attend free Adult Migrant English Program classes, if eligible.
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

You may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits.

Travel

You may travel as many times as you want during the initial five-year travel facility.

After it expires, obtain a Resident Return visa (RRV) before returning to Australia as a permanent resident. Check the travel-facility end date through VEVO.

New Zealand passport holders

Tell the border officer that you hold a permanent Australian visa and do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444). A subclass 444 grant can override the permanent visa and may affect citizenship eligibility.

Family Provisions

You cannot add family members after the subclass 801 visa is granted.

A dependent child may be included before a decision if they:

• Are in Australia.
• Hold a Dependent Child visa (subclass 445).
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements if aged 16 or older.

For an eligible subclass 445 child, attach Form 1002 — Application by a subclass 445 dependent child for a permanent partner visa in ImmiAccount, then notify the Department through the Partner Processing Enquiry Form.

Notify the Department if you have a baby after applying.

Evidence and Documents

Submit permanent-stage documents only after two years have passed since the original combined application. Do not submit them earlier.

Provide:

• Passport pages showing photo, personal details, signature, issue and expiry dates.
• Australian Federal Police complete-disclosure National Police Certificate, if required.
• Overseas police certificates for countries where you spent a total of 12 months or more since the subclass 820 grant.
• Evidence that your relationship remains genuine and ongoing.
• Documents for each family member holding a subclass 820 or 445 visa.
• Evidence of changes in circumstances.

Relationship evidence

Provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration completed by your sponsor. It should address matters including:

• Mutual commitment and genuine continuing relationship.
• Living arrangements.
• Shared finances and household responsibilities.
• Social aspects of the relationship.
• Long-term commitment and future plans.

Also provide, as applicable:

• Marriage certificate or evidence the marriage is valid in Australia.
• Evidence of a de facto relationship.
• Joint financial, lease, loan, bank or household-bill documents.
• Evidence of shared household responsibilities or children.
• Two Form 888 witness statements from adults who know both partners and the relationship.
• Evidence of social activities, travel, communications, and commitment while apart.

If a Form 888 witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, provide evidence of that status.

Document format

• Translate all non-English documents into English.
• Include both original and translated documents.
• Scan or photograph documents in colour.
• Ensure documents are clear and readable.
• Save multi-page documents as one file.
• Certification is not required.

Australian translators must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Overseas translators must provide their name, address, telephone number, qualifications and experience in English.

How to Apply

1. Wait until two years have passed since the original application, unless otherwise eligible for earlier grant.
2. Log in to ImmiAccount.
3. Select New application.
4. Select Family.
5. Select Stage 2 – Permanent Partner Visa Assessment.
6. Attach clearly labelled documents.

Attach each document once only. You may attach up to 100 documents per person; this limit cannot be increased.

Processing

Processing starts from the date you become eligible for permanent-stage assessment, generally two years after the original application.

Processing times vary and published timeframes are guides only. Processing may take longer if:

• The application is incomplete or incorrect.
• Required documents are missing.
• Further information is needed.
• Information requires verification.
• The case is complex.

Track the application and upload further evidence through ImmiAccount. Because processing may be lengthy, regularly update relationship evidence and other documents.

Obligations and Changes

You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.

Notify the Department of:

• A new passport.
• Changes to contact details or address.
• Changes to marital or de facto status.
• Birth of a child.
• Other relevant changes.
• Errors in the application.
• Withdrawal requests.

Protect your ImmiAccount, email account and passwords. Do not share access details.

Decision and Visa Record

You may be in or outside Australia when the decision is made.

The Department will notify you in writing. If granted, the notice states the visa grant number, start date and conditions. Keep a copy.

If refused, the Department will explain the reason and whether review rights exist. Application fees are not refunded after refusal.

Australian visas are digital. No passport label is issued; the visa is linked electronically to your passport. Use VEVO to view visa details and conditions.