Marriage Visa Guide Australia: Planning to live in Australia with your husband or wife in 2025? This guide’s here to walk you through everything you need to know about getting an Australian Marriage (Partner) Visa – including requirements, processing times and the current fees. We want to help you make sense of the whole process without leaving you feeling confused.
Marriage Visa Guide Australia
What’s the Australia Marriage Visa All About?
A Marriage/Partner Visa lets you live in Australia with your spouse or de facto partner as long as they’re one of the following:
- an Aussie citizen
- an Aussie permanent resident
- or an eligible New Zealander
You apply just the once, but the visa is granted in two bits – first you get a Temporary Partner Visa (Subclass 820 or 309), and then if everything goes smoothly you’ll get a Permanent Partner Visa (Subclass 801 or 100)
Visa Types – Update: 2025 Edition
1. Subclass 820/801 – Onshore Partner Visa
This one’s for you if you’re already in Australia on another valid visa when you apply.
2. Subclass 309/100 – Offshore Partner Visa
You apply from your home country and then get to enter Australia once your visa’s approved.
Eligibility Requirements in 2025 – The Lowdown
To qualify for the Australian Marriage Visa, you’ll need to show that your relationship is genuine and still going strong, and that you’re both committed to each other. Some of the things that’ll count as proof are things like:
- Wedding photos (which don’t have to be posed, but it’s nice if they are)
- Records of the trips you’ve taken together
- Screenshots of any chats or calls you’ve had
- Your joint bank accounts (if you have one)
- Social media posts or messages from friends and family who will vouch for you
You’ll also need to prove that your relationship’s been around for more than 12 months and that it’s been officially recognized – either by getting married or by showing that you’re in a de facto relationship.
Sponsor Eligibility – What You Need from Your Partner
Your partner will need to show that they can support you financially – which could include things like having a steady income, owning a home, or even just having enough money set aside to cover your living expenses.
They’ll also need to show their identity documents and get police clearance.
Health & Character Checks – What You Need to Do
You’ll need to get a medical exam and provide police certificates for every country you’ve ever lived in.
Documents Checklist – Don’t Miss Any of These!
- Passport and birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (obviously!)
- Photos of your relationship (the more informal the better)\
- Screenshots of your chats and calls
- Joint financial documents (bank statements, that sort of thing)
- Your partner’s passport and citizenship proof
- Police clearance\
- Medical exam results (which will need to be certified and translated, no less!)
Processing Timeline 2025 – How Long You Need to Wait
The wait times can vary from case to case, but on average:
- Subclass 309 (Offshore): 11-18 months
- Subclass 820 (Onshore): 10-16 months
- Permanent Visa (801/100): around 2 years after the temporary visa application date
Having all your ducks in a row will really help speed up the process.
Australia Marriage Visa Fees 2025
As of 2025, the estimated costs are:
- AUD 9,095 for the visa application fee
- AUD 1,000-1,500 for the medical exam
- AUD 100-150 per police check
- AUD 500-1,000 for translations and certifications
Total estimated cost is around AUD 10,500 to AUD 12,000 (all up for both the temporary and permanent visa stages)
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Set up an ImmiAccount
- Choose the right visa (820/309)
- Fill out the form and upload all the necessary documents
- Get your partner to submit their form
- Get a medical examination
- Upload police clearances
- Wait for assessment
- Get your temporary visa
- Get your permanent visa after 2 years
Tips for Avoiding Delays
- Only upload genuine proof of your relationship – the more convincing, the better
- Get all your documents in order early on
- Remember to get police checks
- Be careful to make sure everything is consistent and truthful