Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. The 801 stage is permanent residence, usually assessed around 2 years later (sooner for long-term or registered relationships).
Visa typeTemporary → Permanent
LodgementOnshore
Stay820 (temporary) then 801 (permanent)
Work rightsUnlimited
Study rightsYes
Government charge~$9,365 (covers both stages)
Processing time~12-24+ months for the 820 stage
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 820 / 801 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
Screen the sponsor first
Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, PR or eligible NZ citizen, with no sponsorship-limitation problems (prior sponsorships, timing bars, character). A dead sponsor issue kills the case before evidence starts.
Confirm the relationship basis
Married, or de facto for 12+ months (or a registered relationship where the exception applies). Date the relationship milestones precisely.
Build the four pillars
Financial, household, social and commitment evidence across the whole relationship: joint accounts, lease and bills, photos over time, travel, Form 888 declarations from Australians who know the couple.
Statements and lodgement
Both partners write detailed relationship statements. Lodge onshore; a bridging visa with work rights holds the client while the 820 is decided.
Stage 2 - the 801
Around 2 years after lodgement, provide updated evidence that the relationship is continuing (sooner for long-term relationships). Diary this - clients forget and the file stalls.
Decision and briefing
Brief on what changes must be reported (separation, children, addresses) and keep evidence habits alive between stages.
3. Eligibility checklist
Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 820 / 801 is viable.
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4. Document checklist
The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.
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5. Cost checklist
Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).
Item
Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)
~$9,365 (covers both stages)
Health examinations (per person)
~$300-500
Police certificates
~$42-150 each
Relationship registration (where used)
State fees vary
Your professional fee
Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb
Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June
6. Qualification checklist
Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.
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7. Case studies - eligible cases
Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 820 / 801 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Grace from Colombia
Background
Grace, a hospitality manager from Colombia. Partners or spouses of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, applying in Australia.
Why it qualified
(1) A genuine and continuing relationship (married, or de facto 12+ months unless registered/exceptions apply). (2) An eligible sponsor who meets sponsorship requirements. (3) Strong relationship evidence across the four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment).
What made the file strong
Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~12-24+ months for the 820 stage).
Grant: Daniel from Iran
Background
Daniel, a retired shopkeeper from Iran. Partners or spouses of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, applying in Australia.
Why it qualified
(1) A genuine and continuing relationship (married, or de facto 12+ months unless registered/exceptions apply). (2) An eligible sponsor who meets sponsorship requirements. (3) Strong relationship evidence across the four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment).
What made the file strong
Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (~12-24+ months for the 820 stage).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Mei from Sri Lanka
Background
Mei, a marketing coordinator from Sri Lanka, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 820 / 801.
What went wrong
Thin or one-dimensional relationship evidence
Outcome
The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent
Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.
Refusal: Amir from India
Background
Amir, a small-business owner from India, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 820 / 801.
What went wrong
Sponsor ineligible or with sponsorship-limit issues
Outcome
The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent
Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.
9. Self-exam
9 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.