Partner visa evidence: what you actually need

A partner visa is, at its heart, an evidence exercise. The law asks you to show that your relationship is genuine and continuing, and the decision-maker looks at four broad areas to decide that. The good news: once you know what those four areas are, gathering evidence becomes far less overwhelming. This is a plain-English guide to what you actually need. It is general information, not advice; every relationship is different and assessed on its own facts.

First, the two stages

A partner visa is a two-step journey. If you apply from inside Australia, you lodge the onshore combined application (subclass 820, then 801 for permanence). From outside Australia, it is the offshore stream (subclass 309, then 100). Either way, the evidence you build is the same, and it is grouped into four categories.

The four areas of evidence

The Department weighs your relationship across four aspects. Aim to show something real in each, rather than a mountain in one and nothing in another.

1. Financial aspects

Evidence that you share your financial lives:

• Joint bank account statements showing shared use
• Shared liabilities such as a loan, lease or mortgage
• Evidence you share living expenses and bills
• Major joint purchases, or being named on each other's insurance or superannuation

2. The nature of your household

Evidence of how you run a life together:

• A lease, mortgage or bills in both names at the same address
• Mail and official documents addressed to both of you
• How you divide chores and responsibilities
• Joint responsibility for children, if you have them

3. Social aspects

Evidence that others recognise you as a couple:

• Photos together over time, with family and friends
• Evidence of joint travel, events and celebrations
• Being recognised as a couple by friends, family and organisations
• Statements from people who know you (Form 888, see below)

4. The nature of your commitment

Evidence of the depth and future of your relationship:

• Personal statements from each of you telling your story
• How you support each other and stay in touch, including any time apart
• Your knowledge of each other's history, circumstances and plans
• Your intentions for a shared future

Supporting witnesses: Form 888

Friends or family who are Australian citizens or permanent residents can complete a Form 888 statement declaring they know your relationship is genuine. A few thoughtful, specific statements carry more weight than many vague ones.

Your own statements matter most

A clear personal statement from each partner, telling how you met, how the relationship developed, how you support each other, and where you see it going, ties all the other evidence together. Decision-makers read these closely.

Practical tips

• Start gathering early and keep adding as your relationship grows
• Organise everything by the four areas above
• Choose quality over quantity, and label what each item shows
• Keep it consistent: dates, names and addresses should line up across documents

How Marga helps

We help you build the evidence that decision-makers actually look for, identify and fill the gaps, prepare both stages at the right time, and respond to any requests from the Department. Because these applications are personal, we handle yours with real care. You can also read about our partner and family visa service.

Common questions