Onshore 820 and 801 partner visas, prepared by Melbourne lawyers to be decision ready from the day you lodge. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds, then book a consultation.
Answer a few quick questions. You will get a clearer idea of your partner visa options and the next step to take. No cost, no obligation.
The onshore partner visa is really two visas in one application. You apply once, and you pay the government charge once. First comes the temporary 820, then the permanent 801. We prepare both stages together, so the second stage is not a scramble later.
You are married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Your marriage must be valid and recognised under Australian law.
You have lived together in a genuine relationship, generally for at least twelve months before you apply. Time apart can count where the relationship is genuine.
If you have registered your relationship with an Australian state or territory, the twelve month de facto requirement may not apply. This is a useful route for many couples.
The Department assesses your relationship across four areas. Strong applications cover all four with clear, consistent evidence. We help you gather the right proof for each one, so nothing important is missing when you lodge.
Joint accounts, shared bills, property, and how you support each other financially as a couple.
How you share your living arrangements, chores, and the day to day running of your home.
How family, friends and the wider community recognise you as a genuine couple.
Your knowledge of each other, your history together, and your plans for a shared future.
When you lodge onshore, a bridging visa usually keeps you lawful in Australia while the application is decided.
The bridging visa granted with an 820 application generally carries full work rights. We confirm the conditions for your situation.
Many 820 applicants can access Medicare and can apply for permission to travel. We explain what applies to you before you rely on it.
We keep you updated at each stage, so you always know where your application stands and what comes next.
Most partner visa problems are avoidable. They come from thin evidence, poor timing, or an application lodged before it was ready. Here is what we watch for, and how we protect your application from the start.
This is the most common reason partner visas struggle. We find the gaps early and help you fill them before you lodge.
A prior refusal or an undisclosed relationship can trigger PIC 4020. We manage this directly rather than hoping it goes unnoticed.
Since 2026, the Department expects applications to be decision ready at lodgement. Rushing a thin application invites refusal.
Lodging at the wrong moment can cost you your bridging visa or your onshore eligibility. We get the timing right.
Your matter is handled by qualified Australian lawyers, held to strict professional standards.
You approve the fee before work begins. No hourly billing, no surprises.
We prepare your application to meet the current decision ready standard, so it is strong the moment you lodge.
Meet us at our St Kilda Road office, or work with us online from anywhere in Australia or overseas.
A partner visa involves two kinds of cost. First, our professional fee, which we fix and agree in writing before any work begins. Second, the government visa application charge, which is significant for partner visas and changes over time.
We do not quote the government charge from memory, because it moves. For the current figure, always check the Federal Register of Legislation or the ImmiAccount fee estimator. We confirm the exact amount for your application, in writing, before you commit.
No. A genuine de facto relationship can qualify, and so can a married one. De facto couples generally need twelve months of living together, unless the relationship is registered or other exceptions apply.
Usually yes. The bridging visa granted with an onshore 820 application generally carries full work rights. We confirm the exact conditions that apply to you.
A previous refusal must be disclosed and handled carefully, especially where PIC 4020 is involved. We assess the reason and build your application to answer it directly.
Processing times vary and change over time. We give you a current, realistic estimate in your consultation, based on your circumstances and the latest departmental guidance.
If your partner is offshore, the onshore 820 is not the right visa. You would apply for the offshore 309 and 100 instead. We advise on the correct pathway in your first consultation.
Yes. Complex histories, prior refusals, thin evidence and timing issues are exactly where good legal preparation matters most. Book a consultation and we will map your options honestly.
Start with the eligibility check above, or book a consultation now. We will confirm your pathway, map your evidence, and give you honest advice on timing and cost.
03 8108 8748 · info@skylinemigrationlawyers.com.au