Partner Visa Glossary: 55 Terms the Department Uses, in Plain English

Every definition names where the term is defined in the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) or the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), or says plainly that it is a departmental term with no statutory definition. Definitions were verified on 23 September 2026 against the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994 as in force on that date.

Jump to: A · B · C · D · E · F · G · I · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · T · V

A

Additional applicant

A family member who combines their application with the main applicant's and pays the additional applicant charge instead of the base charge. Source: reg 2.12C(4) of the Migration Regulations. Not: the sponsor, who is not an applicant. Verified 23 September 2026.

Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

The tribunal that reviews reviewable migration decisions, including most partner visa refusals. Source: Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth). Not: the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which it replaced on 14 October 2024. Covered on: partner visa refused. Verified 23 September 2026.

Affirmed

The Tribunal's outcome when it keeps the Department's decision in place. Source: a term the Tribunal uses in its decisions. Not: remitted. Verified 23 September 2026.

Applicant

The person seeking the visa, who must satisfy the primary criteria. Source: "primary applicant" as used in Ministerial Direction 117 and the Migration Regulations. Not: the sponsor. Verified 23 September 2026.

Authorised recipient

The person you appoint to receive the Department's written communications about your application, which then count as received by you. Source: Department of Home Affairs, Form 956A. Not: necessarily someone who can give you immigration assistance. Verified 23 September 2026.

B

Biometrics

Your fingerprints and facial image, which the Department may ask a partner applicant to give. Source: "personal identifier" in s 5A of the Migration Act. Not: the visa medical. Covered on: biometrics for a partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Bridging visa A (subclass 010)

A bridging visa that keeps an onshore partner applicant who held a substantive visa lawful while the application is decided. Source: s 37 of the Migration Act and Schedule 2 to the Regulations. Not: a substantive visa. Covered on: bridging visa on an onshore partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Bridging visa B (subclass 020)

A bridging visa that lets an onshore applicant leave Australia and return while the application is still undecided. Source: Schedule 2 to the Regulations. Not: permission to stay outside Australia indefinitely. Covered on: travel overseas while your partner visa is undecided. Verified 23 September 2026.

C

Certified copy

A copy of a document confirmed as a true copy by an authorised person. Source: a departmental term, not defined in the Migration Act. Not: a translation, which is a separate requirement for documents not in English. Covered on: certified copies for a partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Condition 8503 (no further stay)

A visa condition under which the holder cannot be granted a substantive visa, other than a protection visa, while in Australia. Source: condition 8503 in Schedule 8 to the Regulations. Not: a permanent bar, because the Department can waive it before you apply. Covered on: condition 8503. Verified 23 September 2026.

Contrived relationship

A relationship the Department assesses as entered into for a visa rather than as a genuine and continuing one. Source: not defined in the Migration Act or the Migration Regulations. Not: a relationship that is simply new or long-distance. Covered on: contrived relationship. Verified 23 September 2026.

D

De facto partner

A person who is not married to their partner but shares a genuine and continuing relationship with a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others, living together or not permanently apart, and not related to them by family. Source: s 5CB of the Migration Act and reg 1.09A. Not: a spouse. Covered on: de facto partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Department of Home Affairs

The Commonwealth department that decides partner visa applications. Source: the department administering the Migration Act. Not: the Administrative Review Tribunal, which reviews its decisions. Verified 23 September 2026.

E

Eligibility date

The date two years after the combined partner application was made, from which the permanent stage can be assessed. Source: cl 801.221(2)(d) of Schedule 2. Not: the grant date of the subclass 820. Covered on: from subclass 820 to subclass 801. Verified 23 September 2026.

Eligible New Zealand citizen

A New Zealand citizen who is a protected SCV holder under s 7 of the Social Security Act 1991, and who can sponsor a partner visa. Source: reg 1.03. Not: every New Zealand citizen living in Australia. Covered on: partner visa with a New Zealand citizen sponsor. Verified 23 September 2026.

F

Family Program (family-stream planning level)

The part of the permanent Migration Program set aside for family visas, with 52,460 places planned for 2026–27, of which 41,500 are for Partner visas. Source: Department of Home Affairs, Migration Program planning levels. Not: a cap on partner grants, because the Department describes the Partner level as indicative. Covered on: partner visa grant and refusal statistics. Verified 23 September 2026.

Family violence provisions

The rules that let a partner applicant still be granted the visa after the relationship ends, if family violence was committed by the sponsor. Source: Division 1.5 of the Regulations and cl 801.221(6). Not: a separate visa. Covered on: partner visa family violence provisions. Verified 23 September 2026.

Form 40SP

The sponsorship form in which the sponsor applies to sponsor the partner. Source: a Department of Home Affairs form. Not: a form the applicant signs. Covered on: Form 40SP. Verified 23 September 2026.

Form 80

The personal particulars form the Department may ask a partner applicant to complete. Source: a Department of Home Affairs form. Not: required from every applicant. Covered on: Form 80. Verified 23 September 2026.

Form 888

The "Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application", completed by someone aged 18 or over who knows the couple (current edition design date 08/26). Source: a Department of Home Affairs form. Not: a statutory declaration, because the Department says no version of it is one. Covered on: Form 888 for a partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Form 956

The form that appoints a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person to act on your application. Source: a Department of Home Affairs form. Not: Form 956A, which appoints or withdraws only an authorised recipient. Covered on: Form 956. Verified 23 September 2026.

Form 1022

The form for telling the Department about a change in your circumstances while the application is open. Source: a Department of Home Affairs form made for s 104 of the Migration Act. Not: a new application. Covered on: Form 1022. Verified 23 September 2026.

Functional English

A defined level of English in s 5(2) of the Migration Act. Source: s 5(2) of the Migration Act. Not: a partner visa requirement or charge, because the partner visa charge items set no English-based charge. Verified 23 September 2026.

G

Genuine and continuing relationship

The relationship the Department must be satisfied exists, assessed against all the circumstances, including four listed factors. Source: ss 5CB and 5F of the Migration Act and regs 1.09A and 1.15A. Not: a test of how long you have known each other alone. Covered on: partner visa requirements. Verified 23 September 2026.

I

ImmiAccount

The Department's online account through which partner visas are lodged, paid for and tracked. Source: a departmental term. Not: VEVO, which shows the visa you hold. Covered on: ImmiAccount for a partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Immigration assistance

Using knowledge of migration procedure to prepare, advise on or represent someone in a visa application or sponsorship. Source: s 276 of the Migration Act, with s 280 limiting who may give it. Not: clerical work or translation, which s 276(3) excludes. Covered on: migration agent for a partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

L

Long-term partner relationship

A spouse or de facto relationship that has lasted at least 3 years, or at least 2 years if you have a dependent child together. Source: reg 1.03. Not: the 12-month de facto rule, which applies before you apply. Verified 23 September 2026.

M

Median (50th percentile)

The number of months by which half of the applications decided in a period had been decided. Source: the Department of Home Affairs processing times guide. Not: a forecast for your application. Covered on: partner visa processing time. Verified 23 September 2026.

Ministerial Direction 117

The direction, in force since 25 July 2026, that sets the order in which family visa applications, including partner visas, are considered and decided. Source: Direction No. 117 under s 499 of the Migration Act. Not: Direction 102, which it revoked. Covered on: partner visa processing time. Verified 23 September 2026.

Ministerial intervention

The Minister's personal power to substitute a more favourable decision for a Tribunal decision in the public interest. Source: s 351 of the Migration Act. Not: available through s 417, which has been repealed. Verified 23 September 2026.

MOD P

A Services Australia form, Partner details, used when someone claiming a Centrelink payment or concession card has a partner. Source: Services Australia, not the Migration Act. Not: any part of a partner visa application. Verified 23 September 2026.

N

Ninetieth percentile (90th percentile)

The number of months by which nine in ten of the applications decided in a period had been decided. Source: the Department of Home Affairs processing times guide. Not: the longest time any application took. Covered on: partner visa processing time. Verified 23 September 2026.

Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM)

The written notice that must reach the celebrant at least 1 month and no more than 18 months before a marriage in Australia. Source: s 42 of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth). Not: a partner visa form. Covered on: marrying an Australian citizen. Verified 23 September 2026.

O

Offshore and onshore

Onshore means you apply from inside Australia (subclass 820 and 801), and offshore means you apply from outside it (subclass 309, 100 and 300). Source: the "in Australia" and "outside Australia" requirements in Schedule 1 items 1124B, 1129 and 1215. Not: where your sponsor lives. Covered on: onshore or offshore partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

On-hand caseload

The number of applications lodged but not yet decided at a reporting date, 96,839 first-stage partner applications at 30 June 2025. Source: Department of Home Affairs, 2024–25 Migration Program Report. Not: the number lodged that year. Verified 23 September 2026.

P

Partner visa

The Australian visa for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, granted as subclass 820 and 801 onshore or 309 and 100 offshore. Source: Schedule 1 items 1124B, 1129, 1214C and 1220A. Not: the Prospective Marriage visa, which is for a couple who intend to marry. Covered on: Australian partner visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

Partnership visa

The everyday name many people use for the Australian partner visa. Source: no Australian visa is called a partnership visa in Schedule 1. Not: New Zealand's partner visas or a business partnership. Covered on: the Australian partner visa guide. Verified 23 September 2026.

Permanent visa

A visa to remain in Australia indefinitely, such as the subclass 801 or 100. Source: s 30(1) of the Migration Act. Not: citizenship. Verified 23 September 2026.

PIC 4020

The public interest criterion that refuses a visa where a bogus document or false or misleading information was given, with a three-year period that follows. Source: Schedule 4 to the Regulations, applied to the subclass 820 by cl 820.226. Not: a character test under s 501. Verified 23 September 2026.

Program year

The Migration Program's year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June. Source: Department of Home Affairs, Migration Program Report. Not: a calendar year. Verified 23 September 2026.

Provisional visa

The Department's name for the first-stage offshore partner visa, the subclass 309 Partner (Provisional), which is a temporary visa. Source: Schedule 1 item 1220A, Partner (Provisional) (Class UF). Not: a bridging visa. Covered on: partner visa subclass 309. Verified 23 September 2026.

R

Registered relationship

A relationship registered under a state or territory law, which removes the 12-month de facto requirement. Source: reg 2.03A(5) and s 2E of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. Not: a marriage. Covered on: register your relationship. Verified 23 September 2026.

Remitted

The Tribunal's outcome when it sends the decision back to the Department to be made again. Source: reg 4.15 of the Regulations. Not: a grant of the visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

S

Schedule 3 criteria

Extra criteria for an onshore applicant who does not hold a substantive visa when applying. Source: Schedule 3 to the Regulations. Not: a bar, because they can be waived where there are compelling reasons. Covered on: Schedule 3 partner visa waiver. Verified 23 September 2026.

Second instalment

The part of a visa application charge payable before grant, which is nil for the partner visas and the Prospective Marriage visa. Source: Schedule 1 items 1124B(2)(b), 1129(2)(b) and 1215(2)(b). Not: the A$2,065 second instalment on parent and other family visas. Covered on: partner visa cost. Verified 23 September 2026.

Section 48 bar

The limit on the visas a person in Australia can apply for after a refusal or cancellation, which still allows a partner visa in some cases. Source: s 48 of the Migration Act and Schedule 1 item 1124B(3)(e). Not: a bar on applying from outside Australia. Verified 23 September 2026.

Section 56 request

A request from the Department for further information before it decides an application. Source: s 56 of the Migration Act. Not: a refusal. Covered on: partner visa s56 request. Verified 23 September 2026.

The Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is the applicant's partner and supports the application. Source: Schedule 2 partner criteria and reg 1.20J (sponsorship limits). Not: an applicant, and not someone who can be changed during the process. Covered on: partner visa sponsor requirements. Verified 23 September 2026.

Spouse

A person in a married relationship that is valid, genuine and continuing, with the couple living together or not permanently apart. Source: s 5F of the Migration Act and reg 1.15A. Not: a de facto partner. Covered on: spouse visa Australia. Verified 23 September 2026.

Statutory declaration

A written statement declared true before an authorised witness, used for some partner visa evidence. Source: Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cth) and Statutory Declarations Regulations 2023. Not: Form 888. Covered on: partner visa statutory declaration. Verified 23 September 2026.

Substantive visa

Any visa other than a bridging visa, a criminal justice visa or an enforcement visa. Source: s 5(1) of the Migration Act. Not: a bridging visa. Verified 23 September 2026.

T

Temporary visa

A visa to remain in Australia for a set period, until an event happens, or while you hold a certain status, such as the subclass 820 or 309. Source: s 30(2) of the Migration Act. Not: a bridging visa, though bridging visas are also temporary. Verified 23 September 2026.

The four factors

The four headings the Department considers for a partner relationship: financial aspects, the nature of the household, the social aspects of the relationship, and the nature of the commitment. Source: reg 1.15A(3). Not: a checklist where every item is required. Covered on: partner visa relationship evidence. Verified 23 September 2026.

The 12-month de facto rule

The requirement that a de facto couple has been in the relationship for 12 months immediately before applying. Source: reg 2.03A(3). Not: applicable to a registered relationship or where compelling and compassionate circumstances exist. Covered on: the 12-month de facto rule. Verified 23 September 2026.

V

Visa application charge

The amount payable to apply, A$11,710 for the main partner applicant as at 1 July 2026. Source: s 45A of the Migration Act, with the amounts in Schedule 1 to the Regulations. Not: refunded because a visa is refused. Covered on: partner visa cost. Verified 23 September 2026.

Where these terms are used

These definitions support every other page on the site. The criteria an applicant and sponsor must meet are set out on the partner visa requirements page, and the evidence that proves each of the four factors is on the partner visa relationship evidence page.

A partner visa application prepared by a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner is more likely to succeed. Terms like these carry exact legal meanings, and a practitioner reads the criteria in the form they will be applied.

For the overview that routes you to the right subclass, start with the Australian partner visa page. Definitions verified 23 September 2026 and re-checked whenever the changelog records an amending instrument.

Questions people ask

What does substantive visa mean?

A substantive visa is any visa other than a bridging visa, a criminal justice visa or an enforcement visa, under s 5(1) of the Migration Act 1958. It matters for a partner visa because an onshore applicant without one must meet extra Schedule 3 criteria.

What does second instalment mean on a partner visa?

A second instalment is a part of the visa application charge payable before grant. For the partner visas and the Prospective Marriage visa, Schedule 1 of the Migration Regulations 1994 sets it at nil, so partner applicants pay nothing at that point.

What is stage 2 of a partner visa in Australia?

Stage 2 is the assessment of the permanent visa, the subclass 801 onshore or the subclass 100 offshore. You become eligible for it two years after you lodged the combined application, and you start it by completing the Stage 2 form in ImmiAccount.

What does ART stand for?

ART stands for the Administrative Review Tribunal. It reviews migration decisions, including partner visa refusals, and replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024.

Is the MOD P form part of a partner visa application?

No. MOD P is a Services Australia form called Partner details, used when someone claiming a Centrelink payment or concession card has a partner. It has nothing to do with a Department of Home Affairs partner visa application.

Sources

Primary sources this page was checked against on 23 September 2026.

Migration Act 1958 (Cth), Federal Register of Legislation www.legislation.gov.au
Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), Federal Register of Legislation www.legislation.gov.au
Ministerial Direction No. 117 immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Home Affairs, Partner Visa Frequently Asked Questions immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

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