Getting your Australian partner visa (Subclass 820/801) approved depends entirely on proving your relationship is genuine and continuing. The Department of Home Affairs receives thousands of partner visa applications every year, but many get refused because couples don't provide sufficient evidence.

Understanding what evidence you need, how to organize it, and what mistakes to avoid can make the difference between approval and refusal. This guide explains exactly what the Department looks for and how to build a strong application.

What Makes a Relationship Genuine

The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship based on four main aspects. You need to provide evidence across all four categories to demonstrate your relationship is genuine and continuing.

These four aspects are financial, household, social, and commitment. Each category requires different types of evidence, and you can't compensate for weakness in one area by providing extra evidence in another.

Actually, the concept comes from Australian family law. Courts use these same four factors to determine whether a de facto relationship exists. The Department applies this framework to all partner visa applications.

Your relationship must be mutual and exclusive. This means both partners have chosen to share their lives together and don't have similar relationships with anyone else. You both need to demonstrate commitment to the relationship through actions, not just words.

Financial Evidence Requirements

Financial interdependence is often the strongest evidence you can provide. The Department wants to see that you and your partner share financial responsibility and make financial decisions together.

Joint bank accounts are highly valuable evidence. Provide statements showing both names on the account, with regular transactions from both partners. The Department looks for genuine use, not accounts opened just for visa purposes.

Shared bills and expenses demonstrate day-to-day financial interdependence. This includes utility bills, rent or mortgage payments, insurance policies, phone bills, and subscription services in both names. Even if only one person's name appears on a bill, bank statements showing the other person contributing to payment costs help.

Joint ownership or lease of property provides strong evidence. A lease agreement or mortgage in both names shows long-term commitment and financial partnership. If you're renting, having both names on the lease is significant.

Beneficiary status on insurance policies, superannuation, or wills demonstrates you consider your partner your next of kin. These documents show you've made each other financially responsible for important life matters.

Joint loans or credit cards prove shared financial responsibility. A car loan in both names, a shared credit card, or joint personal loan shows you trust each other financially and plan together.

Not everyone has all these documents, especially couples who recently met the 12-month de facto requirement. Focus on what you have, but explain any gaps. If you don't have joint bank accounts, explain why and show alternative evidence of financial support.

Household Evidence Requirements

The Department needs to see you share a household and domestic life together. This goes beyond just living at the same address.

Joint lease or mortgage documents with both names prove you officially live together. If only one person's name is on the lease or mortgage, provide evidence the other person lives there through mail addressed to that person at the address.

Utility bills showing the same address help prove cohabitation. Even if bills are in one name, provide a range of bills over time showing both people living there.

Mail and official documents addressed to both people at the same address strengthen your case. This includes bank statements, tax documents, driver's licenses, Medicare cards, and correspondence from government departments.

Photos of your shared home showing both partners' belongings throughout the property demonstrate genuine cohabitation. Photos of shared spaces like the bedroom, bathroom showing both people's items, and common areas help. Include dated photos if possible.

Purchases for the home in both names or showing both partners contributing prove you're building a life together. Furniture receipts, appliance purchases, and home improvement projects demonstrate joint domestic life.

Some couples don't live together due to work, study, or family commitments. This doesn't automatically disqualify you, but you need strong evidence in other categories and clear explanation of your circumstances.

Social Evidence Requirements

The Department wants to see other people recognize you as a couple. Social recognition comes from family, friends, and the broader community.

Form 888 statutory declarations from friends and family provide crucial third-party evidence. The Department requires at least two Form 888s, but submitting four to six makes your application stronger.

The updated Form 888 no longer requires witnessing by a Justice of the Peace or authorized person. However, the person completing it must provide proof of their identity through an Australian passport, birth certificate, driver's license, or similar document.

Form 888 witnesses should know both partners and have personal knowledge of the relationship. They should describe specific examples, not just generic statements. Good Form 888s tell a story with dates, events, and details that demonstrate they've actually witnessed your relationship.

For instance, "I've known John and Maria since 2019. I first met Maria at John's birthday party in March 2019, where they introduced themselves as a couple. Since then, I've visited their home in St Albans approximately monthly. I've observed them working together to renovate their kitchen, making joint decisions about the design and budget. During the COVID lockdowns, they supported each other emotionally, with John cooking Maria's favorite meals when she was stressed about work" is much stronger than "They're a nice couple and seem happy together."

Photos of you together at events provide visual evidence of your relationship. Include photos with family members, at weddings, celebrations, holidays, and everyday activities. Date stamps help, but ensure photos cover the duration of your relationship.

Social media evidence showing you present yourselves as a couple can support your application. This includes Facebook relationship status, Instagram posts together, and interactions showing your relationship. Don't rely solely on social media, but it can supplement other evidence.

Joint invitations to events demonstrate others recognize you as a couple. Wedding invitations, party invites, and formal correspondence addressed to both of you show social recognition.

Membership in organizations together, such as gym memberships, club memberships, or community group participation, shows you engage in social activities as a couple.

Commitment Evidence Requirements

Commitment evidence shows you're dedicated to a shared future and support each other emotionally. This is the most subjective category but still requires concrete evidence.

Your own personal statements explaining your relationship history, how you met, when you decided to commit to each other, and your future plans matter significantly. Be specific with dates and details. Vague statements don't help.

Communication records during periods of separation prove ongoing commitment. If you were apart due to work, travel, or before living together, provide examples of emails, messages, or call records showing regular contact.

Shared future plans demonstrated through bookings, applications, or purchases show commitment. This includes holiday bookings in both names, applying for credit together, or planning major life events.

Support during difficult times is powerful evidence of commitment. If one partner supported the other through illness, job loss, family problems, or other challenges, document this with relevant evidence and explanations.

Care responsibilities for each other, such as one partner supporting the other through medical issues or other needs, demonstrate deep commitment.

For couples with significant age gaps, different cultural backgrounds, or other factors the Department might question, extra commitment evidence becomes important. Explain how you navigate these differences and why your relationship works despite them.

Form 888 Requirements and Common Mistakes

Form 888 declarations represent third-party verification of your relationship. Getting these right is important because poorly written Form 888s cause problems.

The Department requires minimum two Form 888 declarations, but four to six is better. Mix of family and friends works well, showing different perspectives on your relationship.

Common mistakes in Form 888s include being too vague, lacking specific examples, inconsistent details between different Form 888s, and contradicting information in your own statements or other evidence.

Form 888 witnesses can now be non-Australian citizens or residents. If your family and friends are overseas, they can still complete Form 888s. The form must be witnessed according to legal practices in the country where they complete it.

Include the witness's full details including name, address, occupation, and relationship to you. They should explain how long they've known each of you, how often they see you, and provide specific examples of your relationship.

Each Form 888 should feel personal and genuine, not like a template everyone copied. Different witnesses should provide different perspectives and examples based on their actual knowledge of your relationship.

Processing Times and Application Costs

In 2025, Subclass 820 visa processing typically takes 15-19 months. The permanent Subclass 801 assessment happens approximately two years after you lodge your initial application, with an additional 9-18 months processing time after that point.

The combined 820/801 visa application fee is approximately AUD $9,095 as of 2025. This single fee covers both the temporary and permanent visa stages. Additional costs include health examinations, police certificates, certified translations for documents not in English, and potentially migration agent fees.

Processing times vary based on how complete and well-organized your application is. Decision-ready applications that include all required evidence upfront process faster than applications requiring multiple requests for additional information.

What Happens If Your Relationship Evidence Is Weak

Insufficient evidence is the most common reason for partner visa refusal. The Department simply doesn't believe the relationship is genuine based on the evidence provided.

If the Department has concerns, they may request additional information or conduct an interview with you and your partner separately. During interviews, inconsistent answers between partners raise serious red flags.

A refused partner visa significantly impacts future applications. The refusal becomes part of your immigration history and affects credibility in any subsequent applications.

If your relationship genuinely exists but you simply didn't provide adequate evidence, you may be able to reapply with stronger documentation. However, this costs time and money, so getting it right the first time matters.

Some refused applicants can appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal, but appeals are expensive, time-consuming, and success isn't guaranteed.

Getting Professional Help

Partner visa applications are complex and the evidence requirements are extensive. Small mistakes or missing evidence can result in refusal, wasting months of waiting and thousands of dollars in fees.

At Desire Immigration, Mrs. Manisha Bhutani (MARN 2217756) specializes in partner visa applications. We've helped hundreds of couples successfully navigate the evidence requirements, organize their applications properly, and secure visa approval.

We can review your situation, identify what evidence you need, help you obtain documents you're missing, review Form 888 declarations before submission, and ensure your application is complete and compelling.

Contact us at any of our three Melbourne offices in Truganina, St Albans, or the CBD for a consultation. We also provide comprehensive PTE coaching if your partner needs to improve their English score for the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Form 888s do I need for partner visa?

The Department of Home Affairs requires minimum two Form 888 declarations with your partner visa application. However, submitting four to six Form 888s from different people who know your relationship strengthens your application significantly. Mix family members and friends to show different perspectives.

Can I apply for partner visa without joint bank account?

Yes, but you need alternative financial evidence. While joint bank accounts are strong evidence, you can demonstrate financial interdependence through other means such as one partner paying regular bills for both, financial support during unemployment, shared expense tracking, or pooling money for major purchases. Explain why you don't have joint accounts and show how you share finances.

What if we haven't lived together for 12 months?

Generally, you need evidence of living together for 12 months for a de facto relationship. However, if you're married, this requirement doesn't apply. Some couples can register their relationship with their state government, which can reduce or waive the 12-month cohabitation requirement. Only NSW, Victoria, ACT, NT, South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland offer relationship registration.

How long does 820 visa take to process?

Current processing times for Subclass 820 visas are approximately 15-19 months as of 2025. The permanent Subclass 801 visa is assessed approximately two years after you lodge your initial application and takes an additional 9-18 months to process. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional information take longer.