How to Complete Form 47SP for an Australian Partner Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re applying for a Partner visa in Australia, one of the most important documents you’ll complete is Form 47SP. This form is completed by visa applicants seeking a subclass 820/801 or subclass 309/100 Partner visa.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Form 47SP is, who needs to complete it, and walk you through the Partner visa process step by step.

What is Form 47SP?

Form 47SP is the official Department of Home Affairs application form used to apply for a Partner visa as the main applicant. It collects all the information required for the partner visa application process, including personal information about you and your relationship with your sponsoring partner. The form will ask about your home country and your usual country of residence, and it is important to answer these questions accurately to ensure correct processing.

This form is usually completed and submitted electronically through ImmiAccount, but in some cases, it may be submitted on paper.

Make sure to provide accurate answers to all questions on the form.

Who Needs to Complete Form 47SP?

Individuals applying for a partner visa must complete Form 47SP if they are:

• Applying for an onshore Partner visa (subclass 820/801), or

• Applying for an offshore Partner visa (subclass 309/100), or

• Applying for a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)

Your partner (the sponsor) will complete a different form - Form 40SP. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.

What Information Does Form 47SP Ask For?

Before starting the form 47SP, you will need to gather all necessary documents to ensure a smooth application process.

Here’s an overview of the information you’ll need to provide:

• Personal details: Full name, date of birth, passport details, and your country of residence.

• Address history: Documentation of your address history and evidence of residence, including your current country of residence.

• Family details: You must list all family members, including immediate family members such as parents and siblings, as defined by immigration requirements. This includes both migrating and non-migrating dependents.

• Relationship details: Information about your de facto relationship or marriage, including supporting documentation to demonstrate authenticity.

• Character & health: You will need to meet character requirements, provide details of your character history, and submit police clearances from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more.

• Previous travel: Details of your travel history, including previous visas and periods of residence in other countries.

Note: The Department of Home Affairs may request additional information or documentation during the application process.

1. Personal Details

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Nationality

• Passport and other identification documents' details

• Contact information

Note: When completing this info, it is important to provide accurate answers, especially regarding your home country (your country of origin or citizenship) and your usual country of residence (the country where you are living at the time of application). Clearly distinguishing between your home country and usual country helps ensure your application is processed correctly.

2. Travel & Visa History

• Current location

• Visa details (if in Australia)

• Previous visa refusals or cancellations

• Travel history (you may need to provide flight itineraries and hotel bookings to support your travel history)

• You must accurately state your current country and residence as part of this section.

3. Relationship Details

• How and when you met your partner

• Key milestones in your relationship

• Evidence of living together (if applicable)

• Details of joint finances, household, and social life

4. Family Details

• Parents and siblings

• Children (if any)
  You must list all members of your family unit, including non migrating members and any dependent child who is not included in the current application. Immigration forms may require you to distinguish between family members and immediate family members, such as parents and siblings you have lived with or are related to, so ensure you answer these questions accurately.

• Previous marriages or de facto relationships

5. Character & Health

You must meet health and character requirements as part of your application. This includes undergoing character assessments and providing police clearances from each country you have lived in.

Criminal history

You must declare any criminal convictions, charges, or ongoing investigations. The Department of Home Affairs will conduct thorough background checks as part of the character assessment process. Police clearance certificates are required to demonstrate your compliance with Australia’s safety and integrity standards.

Military service

If you have served in the military, you must provide details of your service, including dates and roles. This information forms part of your character history and is reviewed during the character assessment.

Health declarations

You must also complete health declarations and may be required to undergo a health examination to ensure you meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

6. Declarations

• Confirmation that all information is true and correct

• Understanding of visa conditions

  

How to Complete Form 47SP Correctly

Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount

Most applicants complete Form 47SP online. First, you will need to access the ImmiAccount portal. Accessing your ImmiAccount requires you to log in with your credentials. Then, create an ImmiAccount.

Step 2: Start a New Application

Select “Stage 1 - Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa (300, 309/100, 820/801)” from the visa options, which is the Form 47SP(Online).

Step 3: Complete Each Section

Fill out each section carefully, making sure to provide all information required. Use accurate and consistent information, especially when describing your relationship—this must match the evidence you’ll upload.

Review your answers for accuracy and completeness before submitting. The Department of Home Affairs may request additional information if needed to support your application.

Step 4: Attach Supporting Documents

Upload all your required documents and necessary documents as part of your application, including:

• Passport bio page

• Relationship evidence (photos, joint bills, lease, etc.)

• Police clearances

• Identity documents

• Any other forms necessary like Form 888

Thorough documentation is essential to support your claims and meet visa eligibility criteria.

Make sure your file names are clear (e.g. “Joint Lease – Jan 2025.pdf”).

Step 5: Review and Submit

Double-check everything before you submit, as Form 47SP must be submitted electronically through your ImmiAccount. Incomplete or inconsistent information can delay your visa—or lead to refusal. Once you have submitted your application electronically, it will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee

You’ll be directed to the payment screen once Form 47SP is complete and you have uploaded the necessary documents. The current Partner visa fee is AUD $9,365 (as of July 2025).

Can I Submit Form 47SP on Paper?

Yes—but only in limited situations. In most cases, the form should be submitted electronically, as this is the preferred method by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for processing these applications. Most applicants should complete the form online.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Be honest and detailed when describing your relationship. The statements about the 4 pillars of your relationship are the backbone of your application.

• Use consistent dates across all forms (Form 47SP, Form 40SP, and supporting documents)

• Address all aspects of the four relationship factors: financial, household, social, and commitment

• Keep your responses clear and factual—avoid contradictions

• Ensure you provide thorough documentation and submit all required documents to support your application

• If you are unsure about any part of the process, seek professional advice or consult a registered migration agent for professional advice

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Providing incorrect dates or mismatched timelines

• Leaving sections blank

• Failing to attach key documents

• Not disclosing past visa refusals or convictions

• Failing to provide all required documents, which can result in delays or refusal of your application.

• Providing inaccurate or incomplete answers, as all responses must be correct and thorough for proper processing.

• Not submitting additional information if requested by the Department of Home Affairs, which may be necessary to support your application.

• Not submitting the form 40SP after the visa application has been submitted.

Need Help with Form 47SP?

Completing Form 47SP can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure how to describe your relationship or what evidence to provide. If you are uncertain about any part of the process, it is recommended to seek professional advice to ensure your application is accurate and complete.

At Via Migration, we help couples prepare strong, decision-ready applications. If you need guidance on Form 47SP or want a registered migration agent to review your documents, book a consultation today to seek professional advice from a registered migration agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Form 47SP used for?
Form 47SP is the main visa application form for people applying for a Partner visa (subclass 820/801 or 309/100), collecting personal, relationship, health, and character details.

2. Is Form 47SP submitted online or on paper?
It’s usually submitted online via ImmiAccount, but paper submission is possible in special cases.

3. Who completes Form 47SP?
The visa applicant completes Form 47SP. The sponsor completes a separate form—Form 40SP.

4. What address history is required in Form 47SP?
You must list every residential address you've lived at for the past 10 years, including full dates and locations. Incomplete or vague entries can delay your application.

5. What travel history is required?
You need to list every country you’ve visited in the past 10 years, including dates of travel. Be accurate and check your passport stamps or travel records.

6. What documents do I need to attach to Form 47SP?
You'll need to provide passport copies, police checks, relationship evidence, and any documents supporting your answers (such as address or travel history).

7. What happens if there are mistakes on Form 47SP?
Inaccurate or inconsistent answers—especially regarding addresses, travel, or relationship dates—can lead to delays or even visa refusal. Double-check everything before submitting.