"Spouse visa" is what most people search for, but it isn't the official name of any Australian visa. None of the visas on the Home Affairs price list is called a spouse visa. If you are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you apply for a Partner visa. If you are engaged and plan to marry, you look at the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).
This page helps you pick the right one. All fees and processing times below were checked on 28 October 2026.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Partner visa (there is no "spouse visa") |
| Apply in Australia | Subclass 820 (temporary), then 801 (permanent) |
| Apply outside Australia | Subclass 309 (provisional), then 100 (permanent) |
| Engaged, not yet married | Prospective Marriage visa, subclass 300 |
| Who can sponsor (Partner visa) | An Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen |
| Visa charge, main applicant | AUD11,710 for 820/801, 309/100 or 300 |
| Extra applicants (820/801, 309/100) | AUD5,860 for each person 18 or over, AUD2,935 for each person under 18 |
| De facto couples | Usually 12 months in a de facto relationship before you apply, with exceptions |
Your three options at a glance
| Partner visa, onshore (820/801) | Partner visa, offshore (309/100) | Prospective Marriage visa (300) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Married or de facto partners | Married or de facto partners | Engaged couples who plan to marry |
| Where you are when you apply | "You must be in Australia when you apply" | "You must be outside Australia when you apply" | See the subclass 300 page |
| Main applicant charge | AUD11,710 | AUD11,710 | AUD11,710 |
| First stage processing (50% / 90%) | 820: 22 months / 30 months | 309: 21 months / 32 months | 14 months / 26 months |
| Permanent stage processing (50% / 90%) | 801: 8 months / 19 months, counted from the date of eligibility | 100: 9 months / 21 months, counted from the date of eligibility | Not applicable. After you marry, you apply for the 820/801 |
Source: Home Affairs pricing and global processing times tool, both checked 28 October 2026. Processing times change every month and are a guide, not a promise. See our partner visa processing time guide for more detail.
Married or de facto: both use the Partner visa
The Partner visa covers both married couples and de facto couples. Home Affairs uses the words "spouse or de facto partner" in its Partner visa rules, so a husband or wife applies as a spouse, and a partner you live with but haven't married applies as a de facto partner.
The 12-month rule is for de facto couples. Home Affairs says: "Usually you must be in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply."
If you haven't been together for 12 months, Home Affairs says you can:
- "provide evidence you have registered your relationship with an Australian State/Territory births, deaths and marriages agency", or
- "tell us in writing about any compelling and compassionate circumstances".
How the two stages work
A Partner visa is one application with two stages. Home Affairs says: "You apply for the temporary and the permanent partner visas together."
- First stage. You are assessed for the temporary visa (820 if you applied in Australia) or the provisional visa (309 if you applied outside Australia).
- Second stage. You are then assessed for the permanent visa (801 or 100). Home Affairs says processing for the permanent stage "starts from the date of eligibility. This is 2 years after you applied for the temporary and permanent Partner visas."
Because both stages are one application, the price list shows one visa charge for the 820/801 (or the 309/100), paid when you apply.
What it costs
On the Home Affairs price list (checked 28 October 2026):
| Applicant | 820/801 | 309/100 |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD11,710 | AUD11,710 |
| Each additional applicant 18 or over | AUD5,860 | AUD5,860 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | AUD2,935 | AUD2,935 |
Example: a main applicant with one child under 18 pays AUD11,710 + AUD2,935 = AUD14,645 in visa charges. This doesn't include other costs such as health checks, police certificates or translations.
If you are engaged: the Prospective Marriage visa (300)
The subclass 300 is for couples who are engaged and plan to marry. It costs AUD11,710 for the main applicant, and Home Affairs' tool shows 50% of applications processed in 14 months and 90% in 26 months.
The 300 is not the end of the process. After you marry, you apply for the Partner visa (820/801) in Australia. The price list notes: "You pay less for the (subclass 820/801) visa if you hold a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa, marry your prospective spouse and apply for the Partner (subclass 820/801) visa before your Prospective Marriage visa ends." The charge for that application is listed as AUD1,955 for the main applicant.
Our Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) guide covers the rest of the 300 requirements.
Onshore or offshore: which one fits
Where you are when you apply decides which Partner visa you lodge. If you are in Australia, it is the 820/801. If you are outside Australia, it is the 309/100. The visa charge is the same, and the processing times are close. The real differences are where you wait and what you can do while you wait. Our onshore vs offshore partner visa comparison goes through those trade-offs.
For each visa in full, see the onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801) guide and the offshore Partner visa (subclass 309/100) guide.
What you need to prove
Whichever visa you choose, you must show your relationship is real. Home Affairs groups the supporting evidence into four areas: finances, your household, social matters and commitment. It also asks for:
- Your relationship history in writing: how you met, how the relationship developed, when you moved in, got engaged or married, what you do together, time apart, significant events and future plans. Our relationship statement guide gives you a structure to follow.
- Statements from 2 witnesses aged 18 or older who know you, your partner and your relationship, usually on Form 888. See our Form 888 guide.
For a full list of documents in each area, read our guide to evidence of relationship for a partner visa.
Key Takeaways
- Australia has no visa called a "spouse visa". Married and de facto partners apply for a Partner visa.
- Apply in Australia for the 820/801, or outside Australia for the 309/100.
- Engaged couples can use the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300), then apply for the 820/801 after marrying.
- Each costs AUD11,710 for the main applicant (checked 28 October 2026).
- Home Affairs' tool shows the first stage decided within 21 to 22 months for half of applications, and within 30 to 32 months for 90%.
- De facto couples usually need 12 months together first, unless the relationship is registered or there are compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a spouse visa in Australia?
Not by that name. Married partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens apply for a Partner visa: the subclass 820/801 in Australia or the 309/100 outside Australia. Engaged couples can apply for the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300).
How much does a spouse visa cost in Australia?
The Partner visa costs AUD11,710 for the main applicant, whether you apply in Australia (820/801) or outside (309/100). Each additional applicant costs AUD5,860 if 18 or over and AUD2,935 if under 18. These charges were checked on 28 October 2026.
How long does an Australian spouse visa take?
Home Affairs' tool shows the 820 at 22 months for 50% of applications and 30 months for 90%. The 309 shows 21 months and 32 months. The permanent stage (801 or 100) is counted from the date of eligibility, 2 years after you applied.
What are the Australian spouse visa requirements?
You must be the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. You must show your relationship is genuine, with evidence of finances, your household, social matters and commitment, a written relationship history, and statements from 2 witnesses. You must also be in Australia (820) or outside Australia (309) when you apply.
Can I get a spouse visa if we are not married?
Yes, as a de facto partner. Home Affairs says you usually must be in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months immediately before you apply. Registering your relationship with an Australian state or territory births, deaths and marriages agency, or showing compelling and compassionate circumstances, are the listed exceptions.
Is a spouse visa the same as a partner visa?
Yes. "Spouse visa" is a common name for the Partner visa. Home Affairs uses "Partner visa" for both married and de facto couples.
What is the difference between the 820 and the 309?
The 820 is for people who are in Australia when they apply. The 309 is for people who are outside Australia when they apply. Both cost AUD11,710 and both lead to a permanent visa (801 or 100) in the second stage.
Can I include my children in my partner visa application?
The Home Affairs price list shows charges for additional applicants on the 820/801 and 309/100: AUD5,860 for each person 18 or over and AUD2,935 for each person under 18. Check the official Partner visa page to confirm who can be included in your application.
