Partner visa (Subclasses 300, 309, 820)

Lawyer-reviewed evidence before it's lodged

Subclasses 300, 309, 820Check your eligibility in minutes. Genuine relationships still get refused when the evidence doesn't hold up, so you'll know exactly where yours stands before you submit.
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Lawyer-reviewed evidence before it's lodged - Australian visa application
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Free eligibility check, then a free lawyer consult. Commit only when you know your case.
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Australian partner visas, explained

The Australian partner visa lets the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen or permanent resident live here permanently. It works in two stages: a temporary visa first (Stage 1), then a permanent visa once the Department is satisfied the relationship is ongoing (Stage 2). Which subclass you apply for depends on whether you are in Australia or overseas when you lodge.
If you are married, there is a marriage certificate anchoring your case. If you are de facto, the evidence across four pillars, financial, social, household, and commitment, carries that weight instead. Either way, you get matched to the right route before you start. For a full walkthrough of every stage, read our complete guide to the Australian partner visa.
A couple together

Which partner visa is right for you?

Your situation determines your subclass. Pick the one that fits.
You are in Australia
Subclass 820 lets you apply from inside Australia. A Bridging Visa A typically keeps you lawful and able to work while the Department assesses your case, then leads to the permanent 801.
You are overseas
Subclass 309 is applied for and assessed while you are outside Australia, then leads to the permanent 100 once the relationship is verified.
You are engaged but not yet married
Subclass 300 (prospective marriage) lets you come to Australia to marry your partner, then move to a partner visa once you are married.

Applicant requirements

Real relationshipYou're married or in a genuine de facto relationship
Health and characterMeet standard health and character requirements
Age requirementBoth you and your partner must be 18 or older
Not sure if you qualify? Start the application and your eligibility is checked as you go.

Sponsor requirements

Australian statusThe sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
18 or olderThe sponsor must be at least 18 years old.
Sponsorship limits applyThere are rules on how many times and how often a person can sponsor a partner, and our eligibility check confirms this up front.
Character and police checksThe sponsor must disclose any serious criminal history, and police checks may be required. An immigration lawyer reviews their situation.

Why choose Tern?

Know your evidence is strong before you lodge

An immigration lawyer thoroughly reviews every application before it is lodged. If your evidence falls short, you find out before lodgement, while there is still time to fix it. Consultations are included on Guided and Complete plans so you can ask questions at any point, and Tern's hands-on customer support team supports you throughout.

The heavy lifting, done for you

Tern builds your photo album, drafts your relationship statements, fills Form 80, and helps you gather Form 888 witness declarations. What typically takes over 100 hours to assemble takes closer to 10. As you upload evidence, each document is checked in real time against what the Department expects.

No visa, no fee

The government fee of A$11,710 is non-refundable once lodged, so your application is checked before we send it in. If the Department refuses your visa, Tern's service fee is refunded in full. Full terms apply.

How it works with Tern

The simplicity of an app. The expertise of an immigration lawyer. Real advice, real-time evidence checks, and lawyer review at every stage that matters.
1
Free eligibility check
A quick, free check tells you whether you can apply and flags any issues early on. No account needed, no obligation.
2
Free lawyer consultation
Have a consult with an immigration lawyer at no cost to discuss your specific situation and ask any questions you have.
3
Personalised evidence upload
Upload your documents in a guided flow, on your own schedule. Everything is saved to your account, so you can always see what's still outstanding without back-and-forth emails to check. Each document is assessed against what the Department expects in real time, so gaps are caught as you go, not after lodgement.
4
Lawyer review, then lodgement
An immigration lawyer reviews your complete application before lodgement and advises on anything that needs to change, with re-reviews included at no extra charge as needed. Tern then lodges directly with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
5
Support after you lodge
Tern stays with you after lodgement. On the Complete plan, your case is actively managed through to a decision, including any requests for further information from the Department.

Get your visa

Your application goes to the Department fully prepared, giving your relationship every chance to be recognised.

Complex situation? Talk to an immigration lawyer first.

A newer relationship, time spent living apart, children from a previous relationship, or a past visa refusal does not automatically close the door, but it does change how the case should be prepared and presented. Start with the free eligibility check on this page and a free consultation with an immigration lawyer follows before you commit to anything, so you go in knowing exactly where you stand.

What people are saying

Based on 49 reviews
LifesaversLifesavers. Very helpful!!! Tern helped me with a complicated partner visa situation. Tony was super knowledgeable and it would have cost me thousands and potentially a loss if visa without his help.
Samuel· 14 April 2026
I recommend this serviceThe consultation was efficient and helpful. The lawyer answered all of my questions and gave me clear next steps to follow. I would recommend if you need quick and knowledgable advice throughout your visa application.
Jade· 26 March 2026

Meet your legal team

Your application follows a process designed and maintained by immigration lawyers for accuracy and compliance.
Antonious Nehme
Antonious Nehme
Immigration Lawyer
License #5513641
Australian company with Australian immigration lawyers

Pick your level of support

Every plan includes the online application platform, hands-on support from Tern's customer support team, and a thorough lawyer review before lodgement. Choose how much guidance you want along the way.

Direct

Lawyer review at your pace.

A$1,400

AUD
Lawyer-authored advice tailored to your situation, every step of the way
Photo album, relationship statements, and Form 80 prepared for you
Real-time feedback on your evidence as you upload it
Lawyer-reviewed, re-reviewed as needed, then Tern lodges with the Department
Most popular

Guided

Lawyer on call whenever questions come up.

A$1,900

AUD
Everything in Direct
4x30-minute consultations with an immigration lawyer
Use them anytime, by video or call, as questions arise

Complete

We handle everything, from application to decision.

A$2,400

AUD
Everything in Guided
Tern manages your case until a decision is issued
Requests for further information handled for you
Changes of circumstance managed throughout
Total realistic spend is Tern's service fee from A$1,400, the A$11,710 government fee, plus medical exams and police certificates paid directly to the providers (cost varies by country).

Common questions

Learn more about partner visas on our blog

Australian partner visa 2026: complete guide (820/801, 309/100, 300)
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tern

Australian visa applications with lawyer oversight and app-level simplicity.
Lawyer verified platform
Tern Visa Pty Ltd is an independent company and is not affiliated with the Australian Department of Home Affairs. We do not issue visas; visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. General information on this website is not legal advice. Where you use our application flow, immigration assistance (including personalised advice) is provided by an Australian legal practitioner in connection with legal practice and is delivered through the Tern platform. The practitioner's details are shown in the application flow.

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support@ternvisa.com
Sydney, Australia
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