Applying for a partner visa in Australia is a deeply personal yet highly scrutinised process. Whether you’re in a de facto relationship or legally married, the success of your application hinges on one critical factor: your ability to provide clear, consistent, and compelling evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship. With refusal rates increasing due to insufficient documentation, understanding what’s required – and how to present it – is essential. This guide from Cedo Consulting outlines the key evidence areas, common pitfalls, and expert advice to help you prepare a persuasive and complete application.
Why Evidence Matters in a Partner Visa Application
The Australian Department of Home Affairs requires more than just a marriage certificate or cohabitation claim to approve a partner visa. Your relationship must meet legal criteria and be substantiated with strong evidence across several aspects of your life together.
Key reasons why relationship evidence is vital:
- Legal Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate a mutual commitment to a shared life, excluding others, to satisfy visa regulations.
- Avoiding Delays and Refusals: Missing or inconsistent evidence can lead to processing delays or outright refusals.
- Coherence and Credibility: Evidence must align with statutory declarations, personal statements, and timelines to build a credible narrative.
A well-prepared application tells a consistent story across documents, supported by statutory declarations that tie all evidence together and address any gaps proactively.
The Four Key Relationship Evidence Categories
To determine the genuineness of your relationship, the Department evaluates your application across four evidence pillars. Submitting a balanced collection of documents under each category is crucial.
Financial Aspects
Demonstrating financial interdependence shows that you share responsibilities and trust each other with economic matters – a strong indicator of a genuine relationship.
Provide documentation such as:
- Joint bank account statements showing regular use by both partners.
- Shared utility bills (electricity, water, internet) in both names.
- Insurance policies (health, home, vehicle) listing both applicants.
- Financial agreements such as joint credit cards, car loans, or mortgage papers.
- Receipts or records of shared expenses (e.g., rent, groceries, holidays).
Tip: Consistency in transactions and co-signed financial documents strengthens your case. If accounts or utilities are not shared, explain the reasons clearly in your personal statements.
Nature of the Household
Evidence of shared living arrangements helps validate the domestic reality of your partnership. This includes proof that you live together and share household duties.
Relevant evidence may include:
- Joint lease or mortgage agreements.
- Mail addressed to both individuals at the same residential address.
- Documents such as driver’s licences, registrations, or bills showing a shared address.
- Written descriptions or photographs of your home setup and responsibilities.
- Joint purchases like furniture, appliances, or subscriptions.
Tip: Where joint leases are unavailable, provide statutory declarations explaining your living arrangements and household contributions.
Social Aspects
Your relationship’s social dimension demonstrates public recognition and acceptance. The more integrated you are into each other’s social lives, the more authentic your relationship appears.
Examples of compelling social evidence:
- Photographs of the couple together with dates and locations (holidays, birthdays, weddings).
- Invitations, RSVPs, or event programs where you appeared as a couple.
- Social media interactions and shared posts across multiple years.
- Statutory declarations from friends and family (Form 888) confirming the relationship’s legitimacy and longevity.
Tip: Select photos and events that show a clear timeline and diverse settings. Declarations should reflect genuine observations and corroborate your story.
Nature of the Commitment
This category addresses emotional connection and long-term plans – proof that you intend to build a life together.
Examples of evidence include:
- Personal written statements from each partner detailing:
- How you met,
- Milestones in your relationship,
- Shared values and future plans.
- Communication records during periods of separation (e.g., messages, call logs, video chats).
- Future planning documents such as:
- Engagement or wedding plans,
- Travel itineraries,
- Joint goals or business ventures,
- Wills or superannuation beneficiaries naming each other.
Tip: This is where you humanise your case. Personal statements should be heartfelt but consistent with the factual evidence. Use this section to address any gaps or challenges honestly.
Additional Supporting Documents
Beyond the four relationship pillars, supplementary documents are needed to verify identities, legal standing, and compliance.
Essential supporting documents include:
- Certified copies of passports and birth certificates.
- Completed Form 888 statutory declarations from Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Evidence of past relationships: divorce decrees, separation certificates, or death certificates.
- Proof of de facto relationship:
- Evidence of at least 12 months of cohabitation,
- Joint financial and social responsibilities over time.
Tip: Ensure documents are current, legible, and translated into English if required. Cross-reference all dates to avoid inconsistencies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even strong relationships can face visa refusal if the evidence is poorly presented. Avoid these common errors to improve the strength of your partner visa application:
- Too Few or Repetitive Documents: Include a variety of evidence from different sources, not just one category.
- Poor Quality Copies: Submit high-resolution, clearly scanned documents.
- Disorganised Submissions: Structure your evidence with cover letters and headings for each section.
- Inconsistent Timelines or Statements: Ensure all declarations, forms, and communications are factually aligned.
Tip: Draft statutory declarations to clearly reference and explain attached evidence. This helps create a coherent narrative that addresses any gaps proactively.
Cedo Consulting’s Approach to Partner Visa Support
Partner visa applications are emotional, complex, and deeply personal. At Cedo Consulting, we offer end-to-end support to help you navigate every step with confidence and care.
Our process includes:
- Initial assessment to identify strengths, gaps, and risks.
- Document checklists tailored to your relationship history.
- Narrative development that ensures statutory declarations and evidence align seamlessly.
- Ongoing support in case of changes, requests for further information, or appeals.
Tip: Early engagement with a migration expert can prevent critical errors and ensure a smooth process.
Insight from Aleksandra Rajcevic: What Makes a Relationship Case Strong
“Strong partner visa cases are not built on quantity, but clarity. A well-drafted statutory declaration weaves all the evidence into a coherent, truthful story – one that case officers can understand and trust. At Cedo, we help clients bring structure and heart to their applications.”
– Aleksandra Rajcevic, Principal Migration Consultant, Cedo Consulting
Ready to Apply? Let Cedo Consulting Guide You
Navigating a partner visa application alone can be overwhelming. With so much at stake, professional support can make all the difference. Cedo Consulting offers personalised, compassionate guidance to ensure your application reflects the strength of your relationship.
Book a personalised consultation with our experienced team to get started today.