Can I travel overseas while my onshore Partner visa (subclass 820) is being processed?

Travel rules depend on which visa you actually hold while waiting. Once the temporary subclass 820 is granted, you can travel outside and return to Australia as many times as you want for as long as you hold that visa.

If you are instead waiting on a bridging visa before the 820 is granted, travel is more restricted and you generally need the right type of bridging visa to leave and return. One important caution at the border: if an immigration officer offers you a Special Category visa (subclass 444), tell them you have a temporary Partner visa and do not want the 444, because being granted a 444 overrides your Partner visa and ends your eligibility for the permanent subclass 801.