Partner-visa costs — the full breakdown.
The visa application charge is the headline number, but it is not the whole budget. This guide breaks the onshore 820/801 down line by line — the government fee, plus the health exams, police checks, translations, and optional agent fees that sit behind it — so the total holds no surprises.
The visa fee covers both stages — there is no separate 801 charge.
The current Department of Home Affairs application charge for the primary applicant on a combined 820/801 application is AUD $9,365. Additional applicants (children) attract smaller fees on top. The fee covers both the temporary and permanent stages — there is no separate charge for the 801 grant.
Source: Department of Home Affairs — Partner (Onshore). Retrieved May 2026. Always confirm the live fee on the Department’s page before you lodge — the schedule is updated periodically.
Every cost behind the headline fee.
Only the visa charge is a fixed government figure; the rest vary by provider, country, and your circumstances. We give the shape of each rather than a precise dollar amount, because those move — but knowing the lines exist is what stops the budget creeping.
Visa application charge (primary applicant)
AUD $9,365The headline number. This single charge covers both the temporary 820 and the permanent 801 — there is no separate fee at the 801 stage. It is by far the largest line item.
Additional applicants
Extra per personDependent children included in the application attract smaller additional charges on top of the primary fee. The amount differs for applicants aged under and over 18.
Panel-doctor health examinations
VariesMandatory medicals must be done by a Department-approved panel physician. The cost depends on the clinic and which examinations are required, and is paid directly to the provider.
AFP and overseas police checks
VariesAn Australian Federal Police National Police Check, plus police certificates from every country you (and the sponsor) lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years. Overseas checks vary by country and sometimes require translation.
NAATI document translations
Per documentAny non-English document — birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements — needs an accredited English translation. Priced per document or per word, so it adds up if you have many.
Registered migration agent (optional)
OptionalIf you choose to engage a registered migration agent for advice and lodgement, their professional fee sits on top of all of the above. Many applicants self-lodge; this cost is genuinely optional.
Incidentals
Small but realCertified copies, passport photos, printing, and postage. Individually minor, but worth a line in the budget so nothing is a surprise.
Partner-visa costs — common questions.
- How much does the Australian partner visa cost?
- The Department of Home Affairs application charge for the primary applicant on a combined onshore 820/801 application is AUD $9,365, retrieved May 2026. That single charge covers both the temporary and permanent stages. On top of it you should budget for health examinations, police checks, document translations, and — if you choose to use one — a migration agent. The visa fee is updated periodically, so always confirm the live figure on the Department’s website before you lodge.
- Is there a separate fee for the permanent 801 stage?
- No. The application charge you pay when you lodge covers both the temporary subclass 820 and the permanent subclass 801. There is no additional government charge when the 801 is assessed around the two-year mark.
- Do I have to pay for a migration agent?
- No. Engaging a registered migration agent is optional. Many applicants prepare and lodge the partner visa themselves; an agent adds a professional fee on top of the government charge and the supporting costs. Whether you need one depends on the complexity of your situation.
- Can I get a refund if my partner visa is refused?
- The visa application charge is generally not refunded if an application is refused, which is part of why lodging a complete, well-organised application matters. Refund policy is set by the Department of Home Affairs — check their current terms, and seek advice from a registered migration agent about your specific circumstances.
Budget the whole bundle, not just the visa fee.
ReRooted tracks every requirement — and every supporting cost behind it — so the health exams, police checks, and translations are planned for rather than sprung on you. Free to start.