Publications 5

Proving a Genuine Relationship for a Partner Visa: Tips and Evidence Guide

Meta Title: Proving a Genuine Relationship in Australian Partner Visa Applications – Evidence Tips
Meta Description: A guide to proving your relationship is genuine and continuing for an Australian partner or fiancé visa. Learn what evidence to provide across financial, social, household, and commitment aspects, how to organize it, and tips to satisfy case officers of your relationship’s authenticity.

One of the most critical (and often challenging) parts of a partner visa application is demonstrating that your relationship with your Australian partner is genuine and continuing and entered into to the exclusion of all others. Unlike many visa criteria which are black-and-white, this one is assessed subjectively by the case officer. You must convince them with evidence. Insufficient evidence is the number one reason partner visas get refused (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). This article will delve into how to effectively prove your relationship, with practical tips on what evidence to provide and how to present it.

The Four Aspects of Relationship Evidence

The Department of Home Affairs assesses partner relationships by looking at four broad aspects (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected):

Financial Aspects – How you handle finances as a couple.
Social Aspects – How you are perceived socially as a couple and your social activities together.
Nature of Household – How you share domestic responsibilities and living arrangements.
Nature of Commitment – The extent of your mutual commitment to a long-term life together.

You’ll want to provide evidence that touches on all four aspects. Think of it like building a case – covering each category gives a holistic picture of your life together.

Financial Aspects

Evidence here shows you have intermingled finances or at least support each other financially:

Joint bank account statements showing both names. If you have a joint account, include statements spanning the relationship highlighting shared transactions (e.g., both salaries going in, or one transfers to the other, or both using the account for expenses).
Mutual expenses: Bills or invoices in both names (utility bills, rent receipts). If not in joint names, show how you split or support each other: e.g., one partner’s bank statement showing regular transfers to the other for “rent” or “groceries”.
Big purchases made together: e.g., a car registration with both listed as owners, a receipt for furniture you jointly bought, travel bookings you paid for together.
Insurance policies naming each other: health insurance as a couple, car insurance with partner as other driver, life insurance naming partner as beneficiary, superannuation beneficiary nomination (this is a strong one many forget – Australians can nominate a beneficiary for their super; if you name your partner, show that document).
Remittance receipts if applicable: For long-distance couples, showing you sent money to each other (Western Union, bank wire receipts).
Joint loan or mortgage: if you have one, that’s compelling evidence of financial commitment.
Shared memberships (less weighty, but everything helps): e.g., a gym couple membership, Netflix family plan, etc., which show small integration of finances.

Not everyone has all of these. The key is to show some financial interdependence or support. If cultural or personal reasons kept finances separate, explain that in your statements but try to show at least that you contribute to each other’s welfare (maybe one partner paid for most dinners out while dating – you could show receipts of that, etc.). Provide a summary of financial evidence in a cover letter: e.g., “We share a joint account (see statements Oct 2022–Oct 2023 with both salaries deposited, used for rent and bills). We each retain separate accounts for personal spending but have a clear system of splitting costs (see utility bills in Partner A’s name, which Partner B reimburses half of, evidence in bank transfer on 5th of each month). We have named each other beneficiaries on our superannuation and life insurance (see attached).”

Social Aspects

This covers how you present as a couple in public and how your relationship is known to others:

Photographs: Pick a variety of photos across your time together that illustrate your social life: e.g., at family gatherings (with captions like “With applicant’s parents at New Year 2021”), with mutual friends, on trips together, at your engagement party or wedding (if applicable), casual outings, etc. Quality over quantity – a few dozen well-captioned photos are better than 500 random ones. Ensure they span different years and settings to show consistency over time.
Social media: Screenshots of posts or comments can help. Examples: a Facebook relationship status, Instagram posts of you two with lots of likes/comments from friends, etc. Don’t overdo it, but 2-3 examples from different platforms (if you use them) with translation of any comments not in English can add color.
Statements from friends and family: The Form 888 declarations (or similar letters) are key social evidence. Ensure your declarants mention how they know you as a couple, events they’ve seen you at, and their belief in your relationship. These carry weight because they are legal statements (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). Aim for at least two Form 888s (more if possible: e.g., one from a family member, one from a mutual friend). If they aren’t citizens/PR to do Form 888, they can do a normal witnessed statement; it’s still useful.
Invitations or cards: Did you receive joint invitations to weddings or parties? Provide a copy (e.g., an invite addressed to both of you). Or joint Christmas cards from family/friends. Conversely, provide evidence of you jointly sending out invitations/cards as a couple (like if you sent a holiday photo card signed by both, a copy of that).
Travel evidence: While also financial, travel has a social component – it shows you chose to spend leisure time together. Provide flight itineraries, hotel bookings (especially if both names are listed on the reservation), visas obtained as a couple (e.g., you both got visas for a trip to another country). Photos at destinations back up the social narrative.
Memberships in social groups: Perhaps you’re both part of a community club, church group, sports team, etc. A letter from a club or photos of you at group events can show you have a social network as a couple.
Events: Tickets to concerts, movies, sporting events you attended together (if you have them, especially if both names or two seats noted). It’s small but adds to the pile.

The goal is to show that people in your lives recognize you as a couple and you engage in social activities together.

Nature of the Household

This aspect looks at how you live together or share domestic duties:

Joint lease or property ownership: If you rent a place together, submit the lease with both names. If one is not on the lease, maybe a letter from the landlord/roommate confirming you both live there. If you own property together, definitely include title documents or mortgage statements with both names.
Mail to the same address: Show that both of you receive mail at the same residence – utility bills, official letters, etc. If you have few joint bills, a simple way is each of you update your addresses on bank accounts, driver’s license, electoral roll, etc., to the same address and show correspondence.
Utility bills: If in one name, show usage of the same service by both (e.g., an electricity bill may only have one name, but you can say you split it or highlight both of you use that electricity – not obvious, but mention that in a statement).
Shared household duties: Harder to evidence directly, but you can write about how you divide chores. Sometimes, couple friends or roommates can mention this in their statements (“I often see John cooking while Mary does the dishes; they grocery shop together…”).
Furniture or household items: Receipts for furniture or appliances you purchased for your home together.
Rental receipts if you pay rent in cash to a landlord, get a rent book or receipts showing both contributing.
If living with family: Many couples initially live with parents to save money. In that case, get a statement from the parents confirming you both resided at their home from X date and perhaps mentioning you contributed to bills or shared a room, etc. Also prove you both used that address (letters addressed there).
Photographs of domestic life: e.g., you two cooking together, gardening, assembling furniture, or with pets (if you have a pet together, that’s a nice touch—maybe vet records showing both as owners).

Case officers understand not every couple will have a lease (maybe one moved into the other’s pre-existing home), but you need to show you function as one household unit. Jointly signed documents are best for this.

Nature of Commitment

This overlaps with everything, but focuses on the intentions and the stability of your relationship:

Length of the relationship: Provide a clear timeline of key dates (met, started dating, moved in, engaged, married, etc.). Longevity itself is evidence of commitment.
Correspondence during separations: If you spent time apart (due to travel or work), show you stayed in touch (emails, call logs, letters). This demonstrates you remained committed even when not physically together.
Future plans: Evidence of planning a life together: Could be an email thread about future travel, saving for a house, or even things like a “we plan to have children” mention in personal statements. If you’ve listed each other as emergency contacts on forms (work HR records, etc.), that’s evidence of commitment.
Combined family interactions: e.g., if you’ve each integrated into each other’s families – maybe the applicant sends the sponsor’s mother flowers on Mother’s Day (receipt) or the sponsor attends the applicant’s sibling’s graduation. These show you treat each other’s family as your own, implying long-term commitment.
Emotional support: Hard to evidence, but personal statements can describe how you’ve supported each other through challenges (illness, job loss, etc. – if there are cards or photos around those times, include them).
Items of sentimental value: e.g., cards or letters you wrote to each other on anniversaries, screenshots of text messages on significant dates (“Happy 1-year anniversary, I love you so much…”). Don’t inundate them with personal content, but a select few heartfelt communications can underline genuine feelings.
Joint accounts or policies (again): They also reflect commitment, not just financial convenience.
Marriage and engagement: If applicable, these are strong commitment indicators. Provide engagement ring receipts, engagement party/wedding invitations and photos, marriage certificates, honeymoon bookings, etc. Even if not married, perhaps promise rings or cultural ceremonies you’ve done – explain and evidence them.

Commitment is also shown by the entirety of your evidence package – consistency, duration, and depth. But adding a brief joint statement about your commitment to each other’s wellbeing and future helps tie it together. For instance, mention how you’ve made sacrifices for each other (moving countries, etc.) to be together – that speaks volumes about commitment.

Presenting Your Evidence Effectively

Organize and Label: Clearly label every document you upload with what it is and whose name(s) are on it. E.g., “Joint Bank Account Statement Jan–Mar 2023 – financial aspect” or “Photo at Sydney Opera House with friends – social aspect”. This helps the officer quickly identify evidence for each category.
Translate and Explain: If any evidence is not obvious (especially if not in English), translate it and add a note. E.g., if showing chat logs in another language, provide translations of a few representative messages and note the frequency (like “Over 200 pages of chat logs exchanged over 2 years – demonstrating daily communication”). If a cultural event is shown in a photo, caption it like “Celebrating Diwali with sponsor’s family – an important tradition indicating integration of lives”.
Quality over Quantity: Don’t just dump hundreds of pages without context. It’s better to select the most meaningful pieces and annotate them. Officers are busy – a thoughtful presentation stands out over a chaotic pile of unsorted files. According to one migration agency, failing to clearly evidence each required factor is a common reason for refusal (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected).
Consistency: Review all forms and statements to ensure consistency. If your Form 80 says you started living together in May but your personal statement says June, reconcile that. Inconsistencies can make an officer doubt your story (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected).
Use a Relationship Timeline: Consider including a one-page timeline of your relationship with key dates and references to evidence. E.g., “05/2019 – first met (see photo 1); 12/2019 – sponsor visits applicant’s home country (see passport stamp and photos 3-5); 03/2020 – moved in together in Melbourne (see lease); 11/2020 – relationship registered; 04/2021 – joint holiday to Fiji (see tickets, photos 8-10); 07/2021 – engaged (see engagement party invite, ring receipt); … etc.” Officers appreciate when you connect the dots for them.
Third-Party Proof: Whenever a neutral third-party can corroborate something, use it. E.g., a letter from your landlord, statements from employers acknowledging your partner (maybe for visa or insurance purposes), etc., are viewed as objective evidence.
Keep Some Originals Handy: While you submit copies online, an officer might in rare cases ask for original documents or an interview (especially if they doubt authenticity). Having originals of leases, photos, etc., ready to show at an interview (if called) can be helpful. Most cases won’t require it, but being prepared won’t hurt.

Addressing Gaps or Unusual Situations

Nearly every couple has some aspect that might seem “weak”. The key is to acknowledge and explain it:

If you haven’t lived together (due to cultural or work reasons), explain how you maintain the relationship and plans to live together. Show intensive social and commitment evidence to overcome the cohabitation gap.
If you kept finances mostly separate (common in newer relationships or second marriages), explain that in statements but emphasize other signs of commitment (like making each other beneficiaries of wills, etc.).
If a specific required aspect truly has zero evidence (e.g., you have no joint finances at all), definitely have multiple Form 888s emphasize how you share finances informally, and maybe include evidence of supporting each other in other ways (like one paying for most dinners out, etc., with statements attesting to that arrangement).
If your relationship was long-distance for a long period, lean heavily on communication logs and visit history to show continuity.

Remember, case officers are humans trying to assess if your relationship is bona fide or if it could be a sham for a visa. They look for consistency, genuine emotion, and integration of lives. If you provide abundant evidence that any normal couple would have, you make their job easy to approve you. If evidence is sparse, they have to play detective and may err on the side of caution (refusal) if not convinced (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected).

By thoroughly covering the financial, social, household, and commitment aspects with concrete evidence, you essentially paint a picture that says: “This is a real, loving partnership akin to any married/de facto couple, and here’s the proof.” When done well, your application will leave little doubt in the officer’s mind, paving the way for a successful outcome and a happy next chapter together in Australia.

Avoiding Partner Visa Refusals: Common Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

Meta Title: Why Australian Partner Visas Get Refused – 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Meta Description: Partner visa refusals are often due to avoidable mistakes. Learn the most common reasons Australian partner or fiancé visa applications are refused – from insufficient evidence to form errors – and how to avoid these pitfalls to improve your approval chances.

Getting a partner visa refusal can be heartbreaking and costly. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of partner visa applications are refused by Home Affairs (in recent years, around 1 in 4 or more) (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). The good news is that many refusals are due to preventable errors or omissions by applicants. By understanding the common refusal reasons, you can take steps to ensure your application doesn’t fall victim to the same mistakes. Here are the top five reasons partner visas get refused – and how to avoid them:

1. Insufficient Evidence of a Genuine Relationship

The Problem: The number one cause of refusal is not convincing the case officer that the relationship is genuine and continuing (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). Couples often underestimate the evidence required. For example:

They submit only a few photos and a couple of joint bills, leaving out whole categories of proof (like no social evidence or no financial evidence).
They provide statements that are too brief or generic, failing to personalize their story.
They might be genuinely in love, but on paper the application appears weak because they didn’t document it well.

Real example: A couple living together for one year provided a lease and a single joint bank statement, but no affidavits from friends, minimal photos, and scant proof of shared life. The Department wasn’t satisfied, doubting the depth of the relationship, and refused the visa.

How to Avoid: Provide substantial evidence across all relationship aspects (see Article 13). Don’t rely on one or two types of proof. Submit bank statements, joint leases, numerous photos with captions, Form 888 declarations, travel itineraries – anything that demonstrates your life together. If certain evidence is unavailable, explain why in your personal statements and bolster other areas. It’s better to overwhelm the officer with evidence (well-organized) than to leave them questioning if the relationship is real.

Also, ensure your timeline and narrative make it obvious you’re a genuine couple: detail how you met, when you fell in love, future plans – an officer should finish reading and feel convinced of your commitment. If you’re a private person and feel uncomfortable sharing personal info, remember the onus is on you to prove it – officers can’t read minds, they only see what you submit.

2. Inconsistencies or False Information (PIC 4020 Issues)

The Problem: Inconsistencies in your application can raise red flags. Providing false or misleading information can lead to refusal under Public Interest Criterion 4020, which also carries a 3-year ban on future visas (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). Common scenarios:

Dates that don’t match: e.g., your Form 47SP says you started living together in January but a friend’s Form 888 says June. Or your sponsor’s form says you met in 2018 but you said 2017. These can be seen as credibility issues.
Not disclosing previous relationships or all your children. Some applicants hide prior marriages or a child from a past relationship fearing it complicates things – doing so is a grave mistake and can lead to refusal if discovered.
Omitting criminal history: If the applicant (or sponsor in their form) fails to mention a criminal conviction assuming it won’t be known – it almost always comes up in police checks.
Fake documents: Very risky – e.g., a forged rental contract or a doctored bank statement. The Department has methods to verify documents and if caught, not only will the visa be refused for fraud, but PIC 4020 can bar you for three years.

How to Avoid: Triple-check all forms against each other for consistency. Ensure your personal statements and your friends’ declarations tell a coherent story. If there are any discrepancies (even minor ones like different spellings or nicknames), address them. It’s better to explain a small inconsistency than ignore it. Always answer truthfully on forms, even if the truth may seem inconvenient. If you were previously married or have a child not living with you – declare it. These facts won’t necessarily cause refusal (the Department understands people have pasts), but lying about them very well could cause refusal (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected).

If you genuinely made a mistake on the application (e.g., put wrong date), correct it proactively via Form 1023 (Notification of Incorrect Answer) rather than hope they overlook it.

Bottom line: Integrity is paramount. Case officers are trained to spot inconsistencies or deceptive behavior. A transparent application, even if not perfect, is far better than one that appears deceitful.

3. Not Meeting the Required Criteria (12-Month De facto Rule, etc.)

The Problem: Some applications are refused because the couple did not actually meet a fundamental criterion for the visa. Common examples:

Applying for a partner visa as de facto when the couple had only, say, 6 months of relationship and no registered relationship. The law requires usually 12 months de facto cohabitation for eligibility (Family Migration Visas - McKkr’s). Case officers must refuse if the criterion isn’t met; they have no discretion.
Sponsor ineligible: e.g., the sponsor has sponsored 2 previous partners already or one within the last 5 years, thus legally barred from sponsoring another (Family Migration Visas - McKkr’s).
Applicant or sponsor under 18 at time of application – not allowed (except Prospective Marriage where sponsor can be 17 with court permission).
Bigamy: applicant or sponsor still legally married to someone else at time of application (and applying as spouse to new partner) – you must show steps to divorce or apply de facto instead.

Often couples either aren’t aware of these rules or hope for an exception. Without a legislated exemption (like relationship registration can waive the 12-month requirement), a case officer cannot grant a visa if a criterion isn’t satisfied.

How to Avoid: Learn the rules or consult a migration professional before applying. Specifically:

If de facto for less than 12 months, either wait to apply until you hit 12 months or register your relationship (in an Australian state that has registers) to be exempt from the time requirement. Or consider getting married if that’s in your plans – a valid marriage bypasses the 12-month rule.
Check the sponsor’s history: if they have sponsored before, calculate the time gap; if they’ve hit the limit, you may need to submit strong “compelling circumstances” for a waiver or delay the application until the five-year mark passes (if possible).
Ensure both parties are 18 or older (for partner visas, that’s a must).
If either of you is still technically married to someone else, do not apply as de facto without clarifying the situation. Ideally, finalize divorces first. If impossible due to legal delays, explain in detail and show separation evidence. But note: being legally married to another can tank a partner visa unless you clearly qualify de facto and the old marriage is just a formality pending dissolution.
Confirm that the applicant is not barred by any previous visa issues (e.g., if you had a visa canceled, you might have Section 48 bar if you’re onshore – which means you can’t apply onshore).

By making sure you meet every eligibility requirement, you avoid an automatic refusal. Many criteria are objective – either you meet them or you don’t. Don’t gamble if you clearly don’t meet something; fix the issue (wait, get an exemption, or adjust course to a different visa like Prospective Marriage if it suits better).

4. Poor Application Organization and Lack of Explanation

The Problem: Some refusals happen because the case officer couldn’t make sense of the application or find the necessary info easily, leading them to conclude requirements weren’t met (even if they were, but the evidence was buried or unclear). Examples:

The applicant uploads 200 photos with no labels, 100 pages of chat without translation, and a 2-sentence personal statement. The officer cannot decipher the relationship timeline or significance of the evidence.
The couple failed to provide context for unusual situations. E.g., they lived apart for work for 8 months but didn’t explain why or how they maintained the relationship – the officer might misconstrue that as separation.
Key documents were missing and the officer’s Request for Information wasn’t responded to properly. Perhaps the email went to spam or the response was incomplete, so the case officer had no choice but to finalize with available info (which was lacking).

How to Avoid: Present your application clearly and completely. Include a cover letter or relationship statement that walks the officer through your story and points to evidence. Organize uploads in folders (if using an agent’s system) or with clear file names and categories in ImmiAccount. For instance:

Use titles like “Financial – Joint Bank Statement 2022”, “Social – Photos with Friends 2019-2021 (with captions)”, etc.
Provide a table of contents or index of evidence in a cover note.

If your situation has any complexity (long distance, previous marriages, health issues, etc.), address it head-on in your statement. Don’t leave the officer guessing. E.g., “We maintained a long-distance relationship from June 2020 to May 2021 due to the pandemic – see attached flight tickets and daily call logs demonstrating we stayed in touch.”

Always respond promptly to any Department requests. They usually give 28 days. If you need more time (e.g., police check from abroad delayed), inform them and ask for extension. Silence can be fatal – non-response is often treated as if you have no evidence to give.

Double-check you uploaded critical documents like the sponsor’s police check or the applicant’s birth certificate. Missing essential docs can lead to refusal (for not satisfying identity/character requirements, for instance).

In summary, make your application user-friendly for the case officer. A well-organized application can mean the difference between an approval and a refusal (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected), especially if evidence is borderline. Officers are only human – if you make their job easy to see you meet all criteria, they’re more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt when needed.

5. Health or Character Issues of the Applicant

The Problem: Occasionally, an otherwise solid partner visa gets refused because the applicant fails health or character requirements (separate from the relationship). For instance:

The applicant has tuberculosis and did not complete treatment or follow up with the health clearance process – visa can’t be granted until health is cleared.
The applicant has a substantial criminal record that didn’t qualify for a waiver, so they fail the character test independently of the relationship.
The applicant was dishonest during the visa medical or police checks (which loops back to PIC 4020 issues).

While not as common as relationship evidence issues, these can and do result in refusals if not properly handled.

How to Avoid:

Health: Complete your medicals fully and honestly. If you have a condition, comply with any additional tests or specialist reports the panel doctor or Home Affairs requests. For example, if you’re HIV positive, provide all requested medical info – partner visas can be granted with health waivers in many such cases, but not if you hide it or refuse further testing. If you’re pregnant, understand your X-ray can be deferred; keep Home Affairs informed so they know when they can finalize your health clearance after baby’s birth.
If a health issue arises, consider submitting a letter from your doctor about management and prognosis. For serious conditions with high potential costs, consulting a migration agent/lawyer to help argue a health waiver may be wise.
Character: Disclose all offenses, even minor ones. For serious convictions, provide context and rehabilitation evidence (e.g., references, proof of changed behavior). The Ministerial Direction on character gives weight to length of time since offense, behavior since, etc. Show remorse and rehabilitation clearly.
If the applicant spent significant time in problematic regions or has associates of concern (unlikely for most, but possible), be prepared for extended security checks – not much you can do except be patient and respond to any queries from agencies. However, not lying on Form 80 about travel or addresses is crucial to avoid suspicion.

If you do all this and a health/character issue still results in refusal, that’s a complex case where appeals might be needed. But most couples don’t face that – refusals are far more often due to relationship proof issues, which are in your control to remedy with a thorough application.

Final Thoughts

The pain of a partner visa refusal is often that it could have been prevented. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal sees many refusals where the tribunal member finds the couple does have a genuine relationship and overturns the decision – meaning the original refusal was often due to the application not demonstrating it well enough. Tribunal appeals are costly (fees over $3,000) and add 1-2 years of waiting (Most common reasons why your Australian Partner Visa application is rejected). It’s far better to get it right the first time.

To recap the keys to avoiding refusal:

Provide abundant, quality evidence of your genuine relationship (don’t be modest or assume “they’ll trust us” – prove it!).
Be truthful and consistent in every answer and document.
Meet the basic criteria (or wait until you do, rather than rushing an ineligible application).
Stay organized and responsive throughout the process.
Consider professional help if you’re unsure – a migration agent can often catch issues you might miss and ensure you don’t fall into these common traps.

By dodging these pitfalls, you greatly increase your partner visa’s chance of sailing through to approval. Remember, the Department isn’t looking to refuse genuine couples – refusals happen when the case officer feels they have no choice (either evidence wasn’t there, or a rule says they must refuse). Your job is to give them every reason and ability to say “Yes, I’m satisfied this couple meets all requirements.” Avoid these mistakes, and you set the stage for that happy outcome.