A partner visa is assessed against four criteria. Use this as a working list — aim for documents that span the whole relationship, not a burst from one month.
1. Financial aspects
- Joint bank account statements (12 months or more)
- Evidence of shared expenses: rent, utilities, insurance, phone plans
- Property or vehicles held jointly, or loans in both names
- Money transfers between you, especially during periods apart
2. Nature of the household
- Lease or mortgage documents naming both parties
- Utility accounts and mail addressed to both of you at the same address
- A written statement of how you divide housework, bills and care responsibilities
3. Social context
- Photographs across the whole relationship, dated, with other people present
- Statutory declarations (Form 888) from people who know you both
- Wedding or engagement documents, invitations, travel booked together
- Evidence you are listed as each other's emergency contact or beneficiary
4. Nature of the commitment
- A written relationship chronology from first contact to the present
- Communication records covering any period you lived apart
- Wills, superannuation nominations or insurance naming your partner
- Knowledge of each other's circumstances, family and future plans
Common mistakes
Hundreds of screenshots from one week; no explanation for gaps in the timeline; declarations from people who never met one of you; and translations that are not done by an accredited translator.
General information only, current as at the date of writing. Requirements change — check your own circumstances with us.