Partner Visa Waiting Times: Track the Right Stage

Read the official processing data correctly

Open the Home Affairs processing-time guide and select the exact subclass and stream. Record the date checked, the published data period and the percentile shown. Compare like with like: a temporary 820/309 wait and permanent 801/100 processing are not the same measurement.

A percentile describes a share of recently decided cases. It is not a deadline, approval probability, queue position or promise about an undecided case. Adding a temporary-stage percentile to a permanent-stage percentile does not produce a reliable total.

Save a screenshot or note for your own planning, then recheck only when it would change a practical decision. Avoid non-refundable bookings based solely on an estimated month.

Track an 820 case by events, not predicted months

The current substantive visa generally continues until it ends, even when a BVA has already been granted. Do not schedule your first work shift using an assumed bridging start. Grant versus effect guidance.

Track a 309 case and travel independently

The initial 309/100 application must be lodged outside Australia. A 309 decision can be made while you are in or outside Australia. If you visit during the wait, the pending application does not replace the visa needed for your stay and work. Home Affairs 309 page.

• Keep the offshore lodgement date and current passport details.
• If travelling, record the visa allowing entry and its stay/work conditions, separately from the partner case.
• Monitor requests through the contact channel nominated in the application.
• If granted offshore, use the first-entry deadline in the grant notice rather than assuming a standard window.

Two years is ordinarily eligibility, not completion

For 801/100, the ordinary permanent-stage assessment point is two years after the original combined application. Home Affairs describes permanent-stage processing as starting from eligibility. You do not ordinarily restart a two-year wait when the temporary visa is granted. 801 permanent stage; 100 permanent stage.

Follow Home Affairs’ current instructions to submit permanent-stage evidence once eligible. Keep the original application date rather than relying on a reminder email. Home Affairs, not Services Australia, assesses relationship evidence for the visa.

What a status change does and does not tell you

An evidence request identifies something Home Affairs needs; it does not reveal your position in a queue or guarantee the next step is grant. Health, character, identity and relationship enquiries can affect processing. A complete application can still wait, and Home Affairs can decide without first requesting missing documents.

This guide does not rank cases by sponsor birthplace or nationality and does not claim incomplete applications are automatically sent to the bottom. For applicable processing priorities and methodology, rely on Home Affairs’ current guidance.

Reduce avoidable rework

1. Build an evidence index linking each requirement to a readable document. Check names, dates, addresses and translations agree across documents.
2. Keep the sponsor application and any required forms organised alongside the applicant record.
3. Use the exact health examination referral and country-specific police certificate process required by Home Affairs. Do not order a generic medical purely because a predicted month has arrived.
4. Check messages and respond by the stated deadline. If you cannot obtain a document in time, seek instructions promptly and keep evidence of the attempt.
5. Update relevant changes such as passport, contact details, children or relationship circumstances through the official process.
6. Keep a dated upload log so you can identify what has already been supplied rather than repeatedly uploading the same material.

These steps improve organisation; none buys priority or guarantees a faster decision. Follow the document instructions on your 820 or 309 application page.

Plan work, health cover and travel on current rights

Check which visa is in effect before accepting work. For bridging travel, obtain the necessary BVB grant before departure and respect its travel period. The bridging travel rules apply separately from whether a partner decision may be made while overseas.

Medicare may be available before temporary partner grant to eligible combined applicants living in Australia. Ask Services Australia using the permanent-visa applicant rules. Do not assume the visa application itself completes Medicare enrolment.

Create a household budget with a no-work scenario if your present conditions restrict employment. Review lease flexibility, medical cover and essential travel before committing to dates.

Earlier permanent assessment is case-specific

Home Affairs may grant the permanent stage earlier for a qualifying long-term partner relationship at original lodgement. Both married and de facto relationships can qualify. The applicable definition and evidence need to be checked; do not infer it from a wedding date or the total time you have known each other. 801 eligibility; 100 eligibility.

Relationship cessation, family violence and the sponsor’s death have separate provisions. Seek individual advice and support where relevant rather than assuming a breakup always requires withdrawal. Do not remain in an unsafe relationship because of a general online timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and review scope

Checked 30 September 2026. This is an editorial source check, not professional certification or an assessment of your eligibility. Fees, country arrangements and processing data can change; reopen the linked official pages before acting.

• Official distributions and processing methodology
• 820 applicant instructions
• 309 location and instructions
• 801 eligibility and evidence
• 100 eligibility and processing start
• Grant/effect and work rights
• BVB travel
• Medicare before temporary grant