Relationship Evidence

 

In the context of applying for an Australian partner visa in 2024, relationship evidence plays a crucial role in demonstrating the genuineness of the relationship between the visa applicant and their Australian partner. This evidence is submitted to the Department of Home Affairs to support the visa application and prove that the relationship is legitimate and committed.

Relationship evidence can come in various forms, including personal statements; form 888s; evidence of shared social activities, such as photos together; joint lease agreements; wills, and so on.

It is essential for partnership visa applicants to provide a variety of relationship evidence in each of the ‘four pillars’, listed below, to establish the authenticity of their relationship and increase the chances of a successful visa application approval.

 
 

Evidence of the Commitment of the couple

Evidence that the couple have an ongoing relationship to the exclusion of all others, such as:

  • Evidence of a long term relationship

  • Relationship registration

  • Marriage certificate and evidence of wedding

  • Superannuation documents where you or your partner/spouse is made a beneficiary

  • Plans to purchase property or have children together

Evidence of the Financial aspects of the relationship

Financial Evidence that you and your partner/spouse share financial matters, such as:

  • joint mortgage or lease documents

  • joint loan documents for major assets like homes, cars or major appliances

  • evidence of transfers between personal bank accounts

  • joint bank account statements

  • household bills in both names

Evidence of joint Household

Evidence of living together such as

  • joint leases, mail to the same address, joint utilities or bills etc.

  • Statements about how you share housework and your living arrangements

  • mail or emails addressed to you both

  • documents that show joint responsibility for children

Evidence of the Social aspects of the relationship

Evidence that the couple represents themselves as a couple and that other people are aware of the relationship, such as:

  • Recent photographs of you and your partner/ spouse, as well as photographs of you both with your family and/ or friends

  • Social media posts and photos

  • Evidence you have told government, public or commercial bodies about your relationship, including: tax returns, registered relationship certificate if you’re a de facto couple, or a marriage certificate if you’re married

  • Evidence of shared travel

  • Evidence that others know about your relationship, including joint invitations or other evidence you go out together

  • Evidence you do joint sporting, cultural or social activities together or are members of the same club

  • Statutory declarations and/or statements from family and friends (inc Form 888s)