Can I Get Centrelink on an 820 Partner Visa? Everything You Need to Know (2025-26)

What is a Subclass 820 visa?

The Subclass 820 Partner (Temporary) visa is the first stage of the onshore partner visa pathway. It allows you to live and work in Australia while your permanent partner visa (Subclass 801) is being processed, which typically takes 2-3 years.

Despite being a "temporary" visa, the 820 gives you access to more Centrelink payments than most other temporary visas. This is because the government recognises that partner visa holders have a clear pathway to permanent residency.

What Centrelink payments can you get on an 820 visa?

Here's a quick overview of what's available:

The NARWP Waiting Period Explained

The Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) is a waiting period that starts from the date your visa is granted. Different payments have different waiting periods:

This means if your 820 was granted on 1 May 2025, you can access FTB Part A from 1 May 2026, and Parental Leave Pay from 1 May 2027.

Family Tax Benefit on an 820 Visa

FTB Part A (per child)

FTB Part A is the main family payment and is paid per child. The maximum rate is $227.36 per fortnight per child (2025-26). It's income-tested:

• Full rate if combined family income is under $62,634/year
• Reduces by 20 cents per dollar over $62,634
• Base rate of $72.94/fn until income reaches $117,194
• Plus an annual supplement of $938.05 per child at end of financial year

FTB Part B (per family)

FTB Part B is paid per family (not per child) and has no waiting period on an 820 visa. The maximum rate is $193.34 per fortnight when you have a child under 5.

It reduces when the lower-earning partner's income exceeds $6,935/year and is not available if the higher earner makes over $120,007.

Parental Leave Pay on an 820 Visa

Parental Leave Pay is worth $882.75 per week for up to 20 weeks (totalling up to $17,655). To qualify on an 820 visa you need:

1. 2-year NARWP served — your 820 must have been granted at least 2 years before the birth
2. Work test met — worked at least 330 hours in 10 of the 13 months before birth (about 1 day per week). Part-time, casual, and self-employed work all count
3. Income test — your individual income must be under $168,865/year

Newborn Supplement & Upfront Payment

If you're eligible for FTB Part A (NARWP served), you can also get:

• Newborn Upfront Payment: $683 lump sum, paid once after birth
• Newborn Supplement: $2,003.82 for your first child (or $668.85 for subsequent children), paid fortnightly over 13 weeks

Important: You get either Parental Leave Pay OR Newborn Supplement — not both. If you qualify for PLP, you'll get the Newborn Upfront Payment ($683) but not the Supplement.

Medicare on an 820 Visa

Yes — 820 visa holders are eligible for full Medicare. You can enrol as soon as your visa is granted.

• You'll initially get a Blue Medicare Card (interim)
• Your green card arrives by post in 2-3 weeks
• Your baby will be covered under your card from birth
• Covers GP visits, hospital, and most medical costs

To enrol, visit a Medicare Service Centre with your passport, visa grant letter, and proof of address.

What you can NOT get on an 820 visa

Despite having good access to family payments, 820 visa holders are not eligible for:

• Parenting Payment (single or partnered)
• JobSeeker Payment
• Youth Allowance
• Austudy
• Disability Support Pension

These payments require permanent residency. You'll become eligible once your Subclass 801 is granted.

What changes when you get your 801?

When your permanent 801 visa is granted, you unlock:

• Parenting Payment — up to $922.10/fn (single) or $667.50/fn (partnered)
• JobSeeker Payment — if you're looking for work
• Access to all other income support payments

Your NARWP time on the 820 counts toward the 801, so you may already have served the waiting period by the time the 801 is granted.

How to claim

You can claim most payments through myGov linked to Centrelink. Here's what you'll need:

1. Create a myGov account and link it to Centrelink
2. Gather your documents: passport, visa grant letter, birth certificate (or proof of due date), TFN, bank details
3. Lodge your claim for FTB (includes Newborn Supplement automatically)
4. Lodge a separate claim for Parental Leave Pay if eligible
5. You can claim up to 3 months before your due date

Calculate your exact payments

Every situation is different. Your payments depend on your visa grant date, income, number of children, and whether you've met the work test.

Our free calculator covers all of this in under 60 seconds:

• Exact NARWP countdown with eligible dates
• Income-tested FTB Part A and B amounts
• Parental Leave Pay with work test check
• Medicare eligibility and enrolment steps
• Payment timeline with exact start and end dates
• Printable summary with document checklist