The subclass (‘sc’) 820/801 Partner visa is one of the most sought-after visas in Australia. It allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in the country initially temporarily and then permanently.
The cost of this visa is a major consideration for applicants and their Australian sponsors. With a base application fee of $9,095, which is set to increase from 1 July 2025, it is among the most expensive visa categories in Australia.
The Challenge
The high cost of the sc 820/801 Partner visa continues to spark criticism among applicants and their sponsors. The expense creates additional financial hurdles for couples seeking to live together in Australia. Beyond the base application fee, additional charges for dependents, health checks, national police checks and document translations add to the overall cost.
The non-refundable nature of the application fee, even if the visa application is refused, adds to the financial risk. This raises the obvious question – why does sc 820/801 visa application cost so much? This is especially the case when the Australian application fee is compared to similar spousal visas in England, Ireland, USA and Canada which charge only nominal fees.
Reasons for the High Expense
While the Australian government does not provide detailed reasons for the cost of visa application fees, there are a number of reasons or justifications that may explain why the sc 820/801 visa application is so expensive, including:
- Complexity – the sc 820/801 application process has substantial information and documentation requirements imposed on the applicant and sponsor. Similarly, there is a substantial workload required of the Department of Home Affairs to assess each visa application
- Temporary and Permanent pathway – the sc 820 Partner visa (temporary) visa serves as a pathway to permanent residency via the sc 801 Partner visa (permanent). The single application fee of $9,050 covers both stages, being the sc 820 and the sc 801. This structure simplifies the process for applicants and also consolidates fees that would otherwise be spread across two separate applications
- Additional Benefits – sc 820/801 visa applicants are allowed to enter Australia’s Medicare system at the date of the visa application. Medicare is Australia’s public health insurance system. It guarantees all eligible persons access to a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. Access to additional government services such as Centrelink and the HELP/HECS scheme are only available after a longer period of time. Sc 820 visa applicants can work in Australia without restrictions from the date of the application
- Demand driven economics – simple supply and demand. Partner visas are ‘demand driven’ with no specific caps. And what demand there is; with 40,500 Partner Visas being granted in the 2023-24 year, the most out of any visa category in Australia. This inelastic demand allows for a substantial application fee to be charged
Key Takeaways
- The sc 820/801 visa application fee is expensive and will increase from 1 July 2025
- Applicants and their sponsors need to budget for additional expenses including national police checks, medical exams and document translations among others
- The sc 820/801 is a particularly strong visa leading to permanent residency and the immediate benefits of Medicare and full work rights
- Ultimately the high application fee can be explained ongoing strong demand for the visa
- The application process is complex and documentation needs to be thoroughly prepared
Conclusion
While the high price of a sc 820/801 Partner visa has been labeled as a ‘love tax’ by some, it is one of the strongest Australian visas and comes with substantial immediate benefits.
Subclass 820/801 Partner visa applications are often complex and are always a substantial financial investment. Applicants and their sponsors should be well prepared and submit an application that is ‘decision ready’ at the time of application in order to avoid disappointment.
The sc 820/801 visa application requirements are extensive and can be complicated and confusing. If in doubt, seek the assistance of a registered Australian migration professional to assist you.