Partner Visa Work Rights (Subclass 820): Employer Guide

Information checked 31 October 2026.

The Partner visa (temporary) (subclass 820) is the first stage of the Partner visa applied for in Australia. Home Affairs says it lets the holder live, work and study in Australia while their permanent Partner visa is processed.

Work rights and key limits

• The holder can live, work and study in Australia while their permanent Partner visa (subclass 801) is processed.
• They can travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while it is in effect.

What to check before they start

1. Confirm the visa is a subclass 820 and check the conditions on the worker's grant.
2. Keep the result on file. If the worker is later granted the permanent 801 visa, a fresh check records the change.
3. With the worker's consent, check their visa and its conditions through VEVO before they start, and keep the result on file.
4. It is against the law to hire a non-citizen who does not hold a valid visa, or to have them do work that goes against their visa conditions.

RefChecks runs a Right to Work check through VEVO: the worker gives consent and their details, and you get their visa, its conditions and expiry in their report. Related: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Bridging visa A (subclass 010).

Official sources

• Home Affairs: Partner visa (temporary) (subclass 820)
• Home Affairs: information for employers and labour hire organisations

General information only, not migration advice. For advice about a specific visa, speak to a registered migration agent.