Partner visa for Australia: How long is the wait?

For many people who want to join their partner in Australia, one of the first questions is: “How long is the wait for a Partner Visa?”

The answer is not the same for every applicant. The processing time depends on the type of Partner Visa, the place of application, the priority of the application and whether the application is complete.

According to the latest data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, median processing time for Partner (Provisional/Temporary) visas in August 2026 is 23 months. This means half of recently finalised applications were processed more quickly and half took longer. It is not a guaranteed timeframe for an individual application.

What Partner Visas are there in Australia?

Partner visas are for spouses or de facto partners of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Depending on where you are when you apply, there are different subclasses.

Partner Visa 820/801 – applying from Australia

Subclass 820 is a temporary Partner Visa and represents a first step towards Subclass 801, i.e. permanent Partner Visa.

For Subclass 820 you must be in Australia when you apply. Subclass 801 is the permanent visa that usually follows the temporary Partner Visa.

Partner Visa 309/100 – applying from outside Australia

If you are outside Australia, you can apply for Subclass 309, Partner (Provisional) Visa, which is the first step towards Subclass 100, Partner (Migrant) Visa.

For Subclass 309 you must be outside Australia when you make the application.

Are all Partner Visa applications processed with the same priority?

No.

Partner Visa applications are currently processed according to Ministerial Direction 117, which replaced the previous Ministerial Direction 102 on 25 July 2026.

Under current rules, certain Family visa applications submitted while the principal applicant is in Australia have the highest priority and the visa can be granted while he or she is in Australia.

For partner visas, onshore applications for Subclass 820/801 have higher priority, while offshore applications, such as Subclass 309/100, are of lower priority. Home Affairs states that lower priority applications may take longer to process.

Why might one Partner Visa take longer than another?

Although Home Affairs publishes indicative processing times, they do not represent a deadline by which every application must be dealt with.

Time can depend on a number of factors, including:

• whether the application is fully submitted;
• whether all necessary evidence has been submitted;
• whether the Department of Home Affairs will request additional information;
• the time required for checks;
• the number of applications being processed;
• the priority of the specific application;
• the individual circumstances of the case.

Home Affairs emphasizes that processing times may vary and that applicants may wait longer than expected. The published processing time guide is indicative only and is based on recently finalised applications, and is not an estimate specific to your application.

What does 23 months mean in practice?

The number of 23 months can often sound like a fixed deadline, but it’s important to understand what “median processing time” means.

The median does not mean that every applicant will wait exactly 23 months.

For example, one application may be finalised sooner, while another may take longer, depending on its circumstances and priority.

Therefore, when planning to move to Australia or live together with your partner, you should not rely on just one number as a guaranteed deadline.

Can Partner Visa be processed faster?

In limited circumstances, applicants may request priority processing.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, Partner Visa applications may be considered for priority processing if they exist special circumstances of a humanitarian/compassionate nature and compelling reasons for deviation from normal processing order.

However, priority processing is not an automatic right and there is no guarantee that the request will be granted. Home Affairs states that most requests for priority processing cannot be granted.

It is also important that certain reasons, such as financial difficulties, planning a wedding, pregnancy or separation from a partner, are not in themselves listed as compelling or compassionate circumstances for priority processing.

How to avoid unnecessary delays?

Although you cannot control the Department of Home Affairs’ processing time, you can influence how well your application is prepared.

Before submitting, it is important to ensure that:

• all relevant documents are attached;
• relationship evidence is organised and clear;
• information in the application is accurate and consistent;
• the health and character requirements are met;
• additional documents are submitted in a timely manner if requested.

Home Affairs points out that a complete application can help avoid unnecessary delays.

When can I apply for a Permanent Partner Visa?

With Partner Visa, the temporary and permanent phases are linked.

If you have Subclass 820 or 309, two years must pass from the date of application for the temporary Partner Visa to be eligible for permanent Partner Visa assessment, if you meet the other conditions.

This means that the entire process towards a permanent Partner Visa should not be understood only as a processing time of several months or years. There are different stages and different conditions for each of them.

How long will I have to wait for my Partner Visa?

There is no one answer for all applicants.

In August 2026, the current median for Partner (Provisional/Temporary) visa is 23 months, but the specific application may be processed earlier or later.

In addition to processing time, it is important to consider whether you are applying from Australia or outside Australia, which subclass you are applying for and whether the application is complete.

Therefore, if you are planning a Partner Visa, it is best to consider your situation individually rather than relying solely on general processing times.

Is there another way to get a Partner Visa?

For some applicants, the pathway to a Partner Visa may not start directly with a Partner Visa from outside Australia.

Depending on individual circumstances, it is possible for a person to first hold another valid visa that allows them to reside legally in Australia and then, if eligible, apply for Partner Visa 820/801 in Australia.

This, however, does not mean that using another visa will automatically speed up the process of obtaining a Partner Visa. The processing time depends on the specific application and the rules that apply to the respective visa.

Planning to apply for a Partner Visa in Australia?

A partner visa application involves several stages and requires careful preparation of documents and evidence of your relationship.

If you are not sure which Partner Visa is suitable for your situation, where to apply or which documents to prepare, speak to a registered Migration Agent before submitting your application.