We are open 365 days a year!
To book a complimentary 1-hour consultation with Andreas Athanasiou, contact us today:
Partner Visa (Onshore) (Subclass 820/801)
The Australian onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820) — often referred to as a De Facto Visa or Marriage Visa — allows the partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia on a temporary basis.
Applicants must be in Australia at the time of lodgement and may remain onshore while their application is being processed.
The grant of this visa represents the first stage towards obtaining the Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801).
To be eligible for the initial application, the Applicant must be legally married to or in a genuine de facto relationship with their Australian partner, and the couple must not be living separately or apart on a permanent basis.
Given the complexity of the Partner Visa process and the numerous eligibility requirements involved, we recommend booking a complimentary consultation with Andreas Athanasiou to discuss your specific circumstances and pathway options.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820), the Applicant (the overseas citizen), must:
Be in Australia when applying for the Visa.
Not hold certain Visas.
Have a Sponsor (who is an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident) who is their partner.
Meet the Spousal or De Facto requirements.
Satisfy the 4 Pillars (evidence of relationship).
Meet the character requirements.
Meet the health requirements.
Have a mutual commitment with each other.
Be in a continuing and genuine relationship.
The above represent the minimum eligibility requirements. Additional information and documentation may be required from both the Applicant and the Sponsor to confirm overall eligibility and strengthen the application.
For personalised guidance and an assessment of your individual circumstances, you are welcome to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.
4 Pillars of the Relationship
When assessing an onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) application, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) evaluates four key aspects of the relationship, commonly referred to as the Four Pillars:
1. Financial Aspects of the Relationship
Evidence of shared financial responsibilities and commitments, such as joint bank accounts, pooled financial resources, joint loans or liabilities, and contributions to day-to-day household expenses.
2. Nature of the Household
Proof that the couple shares a genuine household, including joint residential leases, shared utility bills, joint ownership of property, and evidence of shared domestic responsibilities.
3. Social Aspects of the Relationship
Demonstrating that the relationship is recognised by family, friends, and the community — such as joint social activities, photographs, membership in clubs or organisations, and witness statements or statutory declarations.
4. Nature of the Commitment
Evidence of the couple’s ongoing commitment to a shared life together, including future plans, length of the relationship and cohabitation, travel together, and continued communication during any periods apart.
At Olympus Migration, we understand that every relationship is unique. Even if you have limited evidence under one or more of the pillars, our experienced team can guide you in strengthening your documentation and presentation.
We take pride in lodging decision-ready Partner Visa applications — not only by addressing the required evidence, but by highlighting the small, personal details that truly reflect the authenticity of your relationship.
Relationship Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801), a couple must generally meet one of the following three criteria:
Evidence of a legal marriage; or
Evidence of living together for at least 12 months (either in Australia or overseas); or
Evidence of cohabitation together supported by a registered relationship with the relevant State or Territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) office.
Note: Overseas and some domestic relationship certificates may not be accepted.
There may be limited exemptions depending on individual circumstances.
Please note that meeting one of the above criteria does not in itself establish that the relationship is genuine — it only satisfies the minimum threshold to be eligible to apply for the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801).
Applicants must also provide sufficient evidence addressing the Four Pillars of the relationship and meet all other requirements outlined under the Eligibility section.
Visa Application Charge
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) charges an application fee of AUD $9,365 for a Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801).
If dependent children are included in the application, additional DHA fees apply.
In addition to the DHA fee, applicants should also budget for other potential costs, which may include:
Immigration health examinations.
Australian police clearance certificates.
Overseas police clearance certificates.
Registration of relationship.
Certified translations of documents.
Bank or credit-card surcharges.
Professional fees charged by the appointed Migration Agency.*
*To help reduce financial pressure, Olympus Migration offers flexible payment plans, allowing professional fees to be paid in instalments over a period of up to 15 months.
After the Visa Lodgement
Depending on the visa currently held, the Applicant may be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) immediately upon lodging the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) application.
The BVA will come into effect the day after the Applicant’s current substantive visa expires. While on a BVA, the Applicant is generally permitted to live, work, and study in Australia, and may remain lawfully onshore until a decision is made on the Partner Visa.
If the Applicant wishes to travel outside Australia during this period, they must first apply for and be granted a Bridging Visa B (BVB), as a BVA alone does not allow overseas travel.
Applicants who do not hold a substantive visa at the time of application — or are unlawful — may be issued a different type of Bridging Visa, often subject to specific conditions or restrictions.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) currently indicates that Partner Visa processing may take up to two years. However, a significant number of Partner Visa applications prepared and lodged by Andreas Athanasiou have been granted in a shorter timeframe, due to the submission of detailed, decision-ready Partner Visa applications that meet all evidentiary and procedural standards.
After the Visa Decision
If the onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820) is granted, the Applicant becomes a temporary resident of Australia until they are eligible for permanent residency (Subclass 801).
During this temporary residency period, the visa holder may live, work, study, and travel freely within Australia and overseas without restriction.
In some cases, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) may choose to grant both stages — the temporary (Subclass 820) and permanent (Subclass 801) visas — at the same time.
If the DHA grants only the temporary stage (Subclass 820) initially, the couple will need to apply for the permanent stage (Subclass 801) at a later time. This can generally be done two years after the original Partner Visa application was lodged, provided the temporary stage (Subclass 820) has already been granted.
Note: There is no additional DHA application fee for the Subclass 801 stage.
Complex Immigration Matters
At Olympus Migration, we understand that not every Partner Visa migration journey is straightforward.
Some applicants face unexpected hurdles that can place their future in Australia at risk. Our team provides urgent, compassionate and highly confidential assistance to individuals navigating complex visa challenges. These matters are often time-sensitive, emotionally distressing and require deep legal knowledge to resolve. We specialise in the following complex services, if you require them:
No Further Stay Condition Waivers
If approved, this waiver removes Condition 8503 and allows eligible visa holders to lodge an onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) while remaining in Australia, where compelling and compassionate circumstances have arisen that were beyond their control.Family Violence Provisions
Enables eligible onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) applicants to still be granted their visa if the relationship has broken down due to family violence, ensuring their safety, legal protection and long-term independence in Australia.Sponsorship Limitation Waivers
Allows sponsors who have reached the legal limit of sponsorships to apply for an exemption where compelling or compassionate circumstances exist that significantly impact either the applicant or the sponsor’s wellbeing and future in Australia.Schedule 3 Criteria Waivers
Allows applicants who are unlawful or holding a bridging visa to still apply for an onshore Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) where compelling or compassionate circumstances exist, preventing undue hardship and protecting their lawful status in Australia.Health Waivers
Allows applicants to overcome a visa refusal based on health grounds by proving that any anticipated cost or risk to the Australian community is outweighed by compelling, compassionate or public interest considerations.
Many of these situations are urgent and highly sensitive. You can read more about each of the abovenamed services in our Complex Immigration Services Portal.
Contact us for a complimentary and confidential consultation so we can clearly explain your options and protect your future in Australia.
In the following link you can find testimonials by past Clients and by individuals who have sought Australian immigration advice from our Director, Andreas Athanasiou.
These have been extracted from our Google Business page.
LGBTQIA+ Couples
Same-sex couples and couples who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community are eligible to be Applicants and Sponsors for Partner Visas under Australian immigration law.
At Olympus Migration, we are proud allies of the LGBTQIA+ community and are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all clients. Every relationship is treated with equal care, professionalism, and compassion. For more information, click below.
Our ‘Peace of Mind’ Policy
Our Director and Registered Migration Agent, Andreas Athanasiou, has dedicated over a decade to helping people build a future in Australia. Being an immigrant himself, is journey is deeply personal — he understands that every visa is not just an application, but a life, a dream, and a family hoping for a better tomorrow.
With more than 1,000 visas successfully prepared, Andreas has supported individuals and families from over 100 countries, each with their own story. Many of our clients began this journey feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain — but they found comfort, clarity, and success when they placed their trust in him. You can read more about his journey in our About Us section.
Whether you meet Andreas in person in Melbourne or speak with him via Zoom from anywhere in the world, you will be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. Your concerns will be heard, your questions will be answered, and your future will be handled with care.
We offer a full 1-hour complimentary consultation because you deserve time, attention and genuine guidance — not rushed advice or expensive upfront fees. We firmly believe you should not have to pay hundreds of dollars just to understand your options, or be charged heavily before receiving real clarity.
We are committed to standing by your side every step of the way. In the unlikely event your application is refused, Olympus Migration will prepare and lodge a new application or appeal to the Tribunal at no additional professional fees, if you are eligible. This is our promise to you, and our ‘Peace of Mind’ policy. We do this because we believe in you — and we don’t give up on our clients.
At Olympus Migration, you are not just another file.
You are our family — and your journey is our mission.
What is the Process?
Why Olympus Migration?
Expert Advice
Our Director, Andreas Athanasiou, is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1685134) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over a decade of experience and more than 1,000 successful visa lodgements to his name.
Fixed Fees
We operate strictly on a fixed-fee basis, ensuring complete transparency with no hidden costs or unexpected charges at any stage. To ease financial pressure, we also offer flexible payment plans of up to 15 months for our valued clients.
Prompt Service
Our clients are the heart of our company and the very reason we exist. We are deeply committed to their complete satisfaction, treating every matter as a top priority and always responding within the same business day.
Peace of Mind
In the unlikely event that an application is refused, we will re-apply or appeal the decision without charging any additional professional fees to Olympus Migration clients. This is our commitment to you — our Peace of Mind policy.
Book a Complimentary 1-Hour Consultation
You can discuss your case and concerns with Andreas Athanasiou either Face-to-Face or via Zoom.
You can book a confidential and complimentary 1-hour consultation to assess your eligibility using any of the options below:
• Email: andreas@olympusmigration.com.au
• Call: 1300 804 204
• Message us directly (in this section)
We are available 7 days a week, including on Public Holidays.
• Head Office: L10, 440 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Satellite Office: Templestowe VIC 3106
• Satellite Office: Epping VIC 3076
All Office meetings are by appointment only