Your partner visa, organised.

What This Requirement Is

For the standard Subclass 100 pathway, 2 years must have passed since you first applied for the combined 309/100 partner visa before you are eligible for assessment of the permanent stage.

Count from the original lodgement date of the partner visa application. Do not count from the 309 grant date or from the date you first entered Australia.

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Why It Matters

If you calculate the date incorrectly, you may try to start Stage 2 before you are eligible, or you may delay your permanent visa unnecessarily.

Home Affairs can request further documents if needed, but you should not rely on the Department to prompt you when the 2-year point arrives. You should track the date yourself in ImmiAccount and be ready to lodge the Stage 2 assessment once eligible.

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How to Find Your Eligibility Date

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
2. Open your existing partner visa application
3. Find the original lodgement date
4. Add 2 years to that date

Example: If the combined 309/100 application was lodged on 15 March 2023, the standard Stage 2 eligibility date is 15 March 2025.

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Situations Where the Standard 2-Year Wait May Not Apply

Some applicants may be assessed for the permanent stage earlier, or under special provisions, depending on the facts of the case. Common examples include:

Situation	General effect
Relationship of 3+ years at lodgement	The permanent stage may be assessed without the usual 2-year wait
Relationship of 2+ years at lodgement with a dependent child of the relationship	The permanent stage may be assessed without the usual 2-year wait
Sponsor holds or held a permanent humanitarian visa	Special rules can apply if the relationship existed and was disclosed before that visa was granted
Relationship ceased due to death of sponsor or family violence	Special provisions may allow the permanent stage to continue despite the relationship ending

If you think one of these situations applies, check the specific evidence requirements carefully before lodging.

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What to Do When the Date Arrives

If 2 years have passed since you first applied for the partner visa, Home Affairs says you are eligible for consideration of the permanent partner visa. The Stage 2 steps are:

1. Log in to ImmiAccount
2. Select "New application" and then "Family"
3. Select "Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)"
4. Complete the online form using your Application ID
5. Prepare updated relationship evidence for the period since lodgement, including the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration for Stage 2

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Practical Notes

• Set a reminder based on the original lodgement date. This is the key date for standard Stage 2 eligibility.
• Use the Application ID from your Home Affairs correspondence if the online form asks for it.
• Gather updated evidence before lodging Stage 2. The permanent stage is not automatic; you need current evidence showing the relationship has remained genuine and continuing.
• If Home Affairs asks for further documents, follow that request. The Department may contact you for additional material even though you should not assume it will remind you to start Stage 2.

What This Requirement Is

For the normal Subclass 100 pathway, the Department assesses your permanent visa against the same sponsoring partner linked to your Subclass 309 grant. In the Migration Regulations, the sponsoring partner is the Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who was identified as your partner in the application that led to the 309 grant.

Key point: Home Affairs treats the permanent assessment as tied to the same sponsoring partner from the 309 case; the Migration Regulations do not provide for substituting a new sponsor at the Subclass 100 stage.

This requirement is called "Sponsor approval still valid", but at Stage 2 the practical question is usually whether you are still relying on that same sponsoring partner for the ordinary permanent visa pathway.

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Why It Matters

If you are applying through the ordinary Stage 2 pathway, Home Affairs generally expects all of the following:

1. You still hold the Subclass 309
2. You are still the spouse or de facto partner of the sponsoring partner at the time of decision
3. If the 2-year waiting period has passed, you are nominated for grant of the Subclass 100 by that sponsoring partner

So the issue is not usually whether there is a separate fresh "sponsorship approval" to renew. The key issue is whether the same sponsoring partner from Stage 1 is still the relevant partner supporting the permanent-stage application.

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What To Check In Practice

Before lodging Stage 2, confirm that:

• The sponsor is the same person connected to the original 309 application
• Your relationship is still ongoing if you are relying on the normal Stage 2 pathway
• The sponsor is willing to continue supporting the application and complete the Stage 2 Commonwealth statutory declaration
• There has been no change that means you need to rely on an exception pathway instead of the ordinary partner pathway

If the sponsor has told Home Affairs they no longer support the application, or refuses to support Stage 2, that is a serious problem for the ordinary pathway and you should get advice quickly.

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Important Exceptions

A sponsorship problem does not always mean the Subclass 100 must be refused. The regulations contain specific exceptions, including where:

• The sponsoring partner has died, and you can show the relationship would have continued
• The relationship has ended because of family violence committed by the sponsoring partner
• The relationship has ended, but there are qualifying child custody, access, residence, contact, or maintenance arrangements involving a child of the relationship

These are specialist scenarios. If any of them apply, do not assume the application is over, but do not rely on general guidance alone either.

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Common Misunderstandings To Avoid

• Changing to a new sponsor. Under the Migration Regulations, a new partner cannot take over the existing 309/100 case; Home Affairs keeps the permanent assessment tied to the original sponsoring partner.
• This is not just an evidence upload issue. If the same sponsoring partner is no longer supporting the case, the ordinary Stage 2 pathway may fail.
• Withdrawal does not automatically equal refusal in every case. Death, family violence, and certain child-related provisions can still preserve eligibility.
• The sponsor's Stage 2 statutory declaration matters. It is not a fresh sponsorship application, but it is important evidence that the original sponsoring partner still supports the permanent-stage application.

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When To Get Advice Urgently

Seek registered migration advice quickly if:

• Your relationship has ended or is unstable
• The sponsor has withdrawn support or says they will not complete Stage 2 documents
• The sponsor has died
• Family violence has occurred
• There are court orders or formal child arrangements involving a child of the relationship
• There has been a major change to the sponsor's immigration status

For family violence support, you can also contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

What This Requirement Is

Joint bank account statements are strong evidence for the Financial Aspects pillar of a Subclass 100 assessment. Home Affairs uses this pillar to assess whether you and your partner have genuinely shared finances or financial interdependence.

Home Affairs' published examples of financial evidence include:

• joint bank account statements
• joint loan documents for major assets
• joint mortgage or lease documents
• household bills in both names

What this document should show: both partners' names on the account and real transaction history showing how the account was actually used during the relationship.

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Why It Matters

When you become eligible for Stage 2 assessment, you should provide updated relationship evidence covering the period since your original Subclass 309/100 lodgement. Do not rely only on documents uploaded at Stage 1.

Joint bank statements can be especially useful because they are third-party financial records that may show:

• shared income or transfers
• shared payment of living expenses
• regular use of the same account by both partners
• an ongoing financial arrangement over time

A joint account is helpful evidence, but it is not mandatory if your finances are arranged differently. If you do not have a joint account, you can still meet this pillar with other financial evidence.

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Exactly What to Provide

Best practice: consecutive statements covering the relevant period

The strongest submission is a joint account that both partners actively use, with statements covering as much of the period since your original lodgement as possible. If you are applying at the usual two-year Stage 2 point, that will often mean statements spanning much of that two-year period.

Home Affairs does not publish a fixed minimum number of months of joint bank statements for this requirement. In practice, consecutive statements covering a longer period are more persuasive than a single recent statement.

Useful features in the statements include:

• both account holders' names
• recurring deposits or transfers by one or both partners
• rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, or other shared living costs paid from the account
• transfers between individual accounts and the joint account that help explain how you manage money
• recent statements showing the arrangement is ongoing

If you do not have a traditional joint account

Not all couples use a single joint account. Other documents can still demonstrate financial interdependence, including:

Alternative evidence	What it helps show
Regular transfers between individual accounts	Ongoing financial support or shared budgeting
Shared bill payment records	Shared responsibility for living costs
Joint credit card statements	Shared spending and financial commitment
International remittance records	Financial support while living apart or in different countries

If you lived in different countries for part of the relationship, transfer records can be important supporting evidence. Explain the context briefly so the case officer can understand why the arrangement looked different during that period.

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How to Obtain The Statements

Australian or overseas bank statements

1. Download the statements directly from the bank's online portal or app where possible.
2. If older statements are not available online, request them from the bank.
3. Keep the statements in PDF form if possible, rather than screenshots.
4. If the statements are not in English, include the original document and an English translation.

For Home Affairs document translations:

• if the translation is done in Australia, include the translator's NAATI practitioner number
• if the translation is done outside Australia, include the translator's full name, address, phone number, and qualifications

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Formatting Your Submission

• Combine statements for the same account into one PDF where practical
• Label the file clearly: e.g., Financial - joint bank account statements - Jan 2024 to Jan 2026
• Make sure the statements show the account holder names, statement dates, transaction details, and amounts
• You may redact part of the account number for privacy, but leave enough visible to show the statements relate to the same account
• Do not upload only selected pages or only the busiest month if you have a longer run of statements available

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Practical Notes

• A joint account with very little activity is usually less persuasive than an account showing ordinary shared living transactions.
• If one partner mainly funds the account and the other partner mainly uses it for bills, that can still be valid evidence. Add a short explanation if the transaction pattern is not obvious.
• If you opened the joint account recently, explain when and why it was opened and support it with other financial evidence for the earlier period.
• If you mainly use separate accounts, include statements or records that show the transfers and shared expenses rather than pretending the finances were more merged than they really were.
• If you are relying on international transfers, include evidence from the sending side and, where available, the receiving side.

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Strong vs. Weak Examples

Stronger evidence	Weaker evidence
Consecutive joint account statements across the relevant period showing shared living expenses and ongoing use	A single recent statement with little activity
Joint statements plus a short explanation of how rent, bills, or groceries are paid	A joint account opened shortly before lodgement with no meaningful transaction history
Statements from separate accounts clearly showing regular transfers and shared expense payments where no joint account exists	One partner's bank statement with no explanation of how it relates to the couple's finances
International transfer records supported by bank statements and a brief explanation of the separation period	Isolated transfer receipts with no context

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Timing

Action	When to do it
Identify the accounts and records you will rely on	Before starting the Stage 2 document pack
Download or request missing statements	Several weeks before lodgement if possible
Arrange translations if needed	As early as possible
Review for gaps and add explanations where needed	Before upload

Note: Bank statements do not have a formal immigration expiry date, but your evidence should include recent statements and should show continuity across the relevant period.

What This Requirement Is

"Proof of shared residence" is part of the Nature of Household evidence category. For a Subclass 100 assessment, Home Affairs looks for evidence about your living arrangements and day-to-day household life as part of deciding whether the relationship has remained genuine and continuing.

For Stage 2, you should provide updated evidence covering the period since the original 309/100 application was lodged. If you and your partner lived together during that period, shared-address documents are usually the clearest evidence. If you spent part of the period apart, explain when, why, and why the separation was temporary, and support that explanation with documents where possible.

Home Affairs does not publish a rule that you must provide one exact document type or that couples must have uninterrupted cohabitation for the entire period. The practical aim is to show that your household arrangements are consistent with a genuine, continuing partner relationship and that you were not living separately on a permanent basis.

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Why It Matters

Shared-residence evidence helps answer a basic question: how have you and your partner actually been living as a couple since lodgement? It is especially helpful because it usually comes from third parties and can be checked against your timeline, address history, travel records, and other relationship evidence.

Common reasons applications are assessed poorly on this pillar:

• Evidence only covers a short part of the Stage 2 period and leaves major gaps without explanation
• Documents show the address for only one partner and there is no explanation or supporting material for the other partner
• The couple spent time apart but the application does not explain the separation
• The address evidence conflicts with other documents, such as travel history, bank records, or statements

For offshore applicants, temporary periods in different countries are common. What matters is explaining them clearly and showing how the relationship and household arrangements continued despite the distance.

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Exactly What to Provide

Provide the best available mix of documents that show where you lived and how your household operated. Stronger evidence usually comes from independent third parties and covers the Stage 2 period consistently.

Commonly Useful Documents

Document	What to Include
Lease or rental agreement	Agreement showing the address and, if possible, both partners' names; include renewals if the tenancy continued
Property ownership or mortgage records	Title records, mortgage statements, or lender correspondence showing the home address and ownership/loan details
Household bills	Utility, internet, or similar bills showing the shared address; bills may be in one or both names
Mail or official correspondence	Government, bank, tax, employer, insurer, or other correspondence sent to each partner at the same address
Landlord or agent correspondence	Rent receipts, inspection notices, tenancy letters, or other records linking the couple to the property
Documents about household responsibilities	A short statement explaining how you shared day-to-day domestic responsibilities, especially if formal address evidence is limited
Children or pets at the address	School, childcare, medical, or registration records that help show a shared household
Insurance or registration records	Home, contents, motor vehicle, or similar records showing the address

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Special Guidance for Offshore / Long-Distance Applicants

If you and your partner were in different countries or different homes for part of the period since lodgement, do not ignore that gap. Explain it directly and support the explanation with evidence.

Useful evidence in separation periods can include:

• A clear timeline stating when you lived together and when you were apart
• Evidence of prior or resumed cohabitation
• Travel records showing visits to each other
• Communication records and other evidence showing the relationship continued
• Evidence of plans to resume or continue living together if the separation was temporary

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How to Obtain These Documents

Lease or rental agreement: Contact your landlord or property manager directly. They can provide a copy of your current agreement or a signed letter confirming both names as tenants at the shared address.

Utility bills: Log in to your online utility accounts (electricity, gas, internet) and download PDF bills. Most Australian providers retain 24 months of billing history in their online portals. For older statements, call the provider's customer service team.

Council rates: Contact your local council directly. Rates notices are typically issued quarterly; prior notices can be requested from the council's rates department.

Electoral enrolment: Visit aec.gov.au to confirm or update your enrolment. Your enrolment record shows your registered residential address — you can request a confirmation letter from the AEC.

Bank address confirmation: Most banks allow you to generate an address confirmation letter through their online portal or mobile app. Call the bank's customer service line if you cannot find this option online — most banks can issue the letter within 1–5 business days.

Landlord confirmation letter: Ask your property manager to issue a letter on their letterhead confirming both partners' names, the shared address, and the tenancy start and end dates. This is a standard request that most agents and private landlords are willing to provide.

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Pro Tips

Provide documents across time, not just one snapshot. A single lease or one bill can help, but a sequence of records across the Stage 2 period is usually stronger.

Explain any address changes. If you moved during the two-year period, include documents from both addresses plus evidence documenting the move (a new lease agreement, movers' invoices, or a change-of-address confirmation). An unexplained gap in your address history invites scrutiny.

If documents are in one name only, add context. That is common with utilities, leases, and some registrations. Support them with other records showing the other partner at the same address and explain the arrangement briefly if needed.

Cross-reference across pillars. A utility bill at a shared address is evidence for both the Nature of Household pillar (shared residence) and the Financial Aspects pillar (shared household expenses). Make sure your document index references relevant bills in both sections.

Do not submit only photos. Photos of your home are supplementary evidence — not a substitute for third-party issued documents like bills, lease agreements, or bank correspondence. Always lead with documents you did not create yourself.

Keep ImmiAccount details current. If your residential details have changed, update them promptly so your application record does not conflict with the documents you later upload.

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Timeline Guidance

• Start collecting now — do not wait until Stage 2 lodgement. Keep copies of every lease renewal, utility bill, and address-related piece of correspondence as it arrives throughout the two-year waiting period.
• Utility bills: Available on demand via online portals for most providers; most retain at least 24 months of billing history.
• Lease renewals: Obtain signed copies as soon as each renewal is executed — do not wait until Stage 2.
• Electoral enrolment confirmation: 1–2 business days via aec.gov.au.
• Bank address confirmation letters: 1–5 business days from your bank's customer service team.
• Council rates notices: Contact your council at any time; prior notices can usually be obtained within a week.

Reminder: For Stage 2, your evidence should mainly show the period since the original 309/100 application was lodged. Earlier documents can still be useful for context, but the core question is whether the relationship has remained genuine and continuing during the waiting period.

What This Requirement Is

The Department of Home Affairs uses Social Aspects evidence (Pillar 3 of 4) to assess whether your relationship is genuine and recognised by the people around you. Joint social event attendance helps show that you and your partner appear together in real social settings — not just privately — and that your relationship is known within your family, friendship groups, or wider community.

This requirement asks for tangible proof that you attend events as a couple: family gatherings, friend celebrations, cultural events, weddings, birthdays, holidays, and everyday social occasions.

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Why It Matters

Social evidence is one of four pillars the Department uses to assess genuineness. A case officer who sees you attending weddings, birthday parties, family gatherings, and cultural events together builds a picture of a couple with a shared, integrated social life. Weak or limited social evidence does not automatically mean the relationship is not genuine, but it can reduce the amount of independent evidence showing that the relationship is socially recognised.

A chronological spread of social evidence is usually more persuasive than a small cluster of recent items. A single party photo from this year carries less weight than a set of dated items showing you together at events across the relationship period that is relevant to the application stage.

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Exactly What to Provide

Strong evidence types:

• Event invitations — party invitations, wedding invitations, event flyers, or RSVP confirmations addressed to both of you by name
• Photos from events — captioned with the date, location, and occasion; include photos with both of you and other attendees visible
• Tickets or bookings — concert tickets, sporting event tickets, or restaurant reservation confirmations, ideally supported by both names or paired with photos, messages, or other context showing you attended together
• Event programmes or printed schedules — useful as supporting context when paired with stronger evidence showing you were both there
• Family gathering evidence — photos and any written records of attending each other's family events (holidays, birthdays, cultural celebrations, weddings, funerals)
• Group photos with captions — identify who else is in the photos and their relationship to you
• Social media screenshots — posts from the event tagging or featuring both of you, or showing you attended together (see also the Social Media Evidence requirement)
• Thank-you notes or follow-up messages — from event hosts addressed to both of you

What to include for each photo or document:

• Date (approximate is fine if you can't recall exactly)
• Location (city, venue, or occasion type)
• Names of others pictured and their relationship to you
• Occasion or event name

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How to Organise Your Evidence

1. Compile chronologically — earliest events first, most recent last. This shows the relationship developed and deepened over time.
2. Include both sides of the relationship — events with your family and friends, and events with your partner's family and friends. This shows integration into each other's social circles.
3. Annotate photos wherever possible — add a caption to each image with the date, location, and occasion. Unlabelled photos are still usable, but they are less persuasive because the case officer has less context.
4. Combine into a single PDF — label it clearly (e.g. Social Evidence — Joint Events — [Your Name] — [Year].pdf).
5. Add a brief contents list — a one-page index listing each item, event name, and date, so the case officer can navigate quickly.

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Pro Tips

• Don't skip humble events. A backyard barbecue with friends, a family dinner, or a trip to a local market can all help. You do not need expensive or formal events; ordinary shared social life can still be useful evidence.
• Offshore couples: If you have lived in different countries, document social activities during visits to each other — restaurant bookings, tourist attractions, events attended together during trips. This compensates for reduced day-to-day social evidence.
• Corroborate with Form 888 declarations. Your Form 888 witnesses can specifically mention events they attended with you as a couple. This cross-referencing between evidence types significantly strengthens both pieces.
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 need updated evidence. The social event evidence you submit at Stage 1 should cover your relationship up to lodgement. At Stage 2 (permanent visa assessment), provide updated social evidence covering the period since Stage 1 lodgement, rather than relying only on the material you uploaded at Stage 1.
• Avoid privacy issues. If your photos include children or third parties who have not consented to being identified, consider obscuring faces or adding a brief note explaining who they are without full identification.

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Strong vs Weak Examples

Weak evidence	Strong evidence
A single group photo with no caption or date	15 captioned photos across 4 years of events, with dates, occasions, and named attendees
"We went to parties together" in a personal statement only	Wedding invitation addressed to both of you + photo at the event + Form 888 from the couple who invited you mentioning the wedding
Screenshots of Instagram posts without context	Screenshot + explanation of who hosted, when, and your relationship to them
Only formal events (weddings, graduation)	Mix of formal events, casual gatherings, family holidays, and cultural celebrations
Dozens of selfies with no social context	Photos with other people present who can be identified and cross-referenced to Form 888 witnesses

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Timelines

• Start collecting now — go back through your phones, social media, and email for existing photos and invitations. Many couples have more than they realise once they look systematically.
• No expiry — unlike health checks or police certificates, social evidence doesn't expire. Include events from the beginning of your relationship through to as close to your lodgement date as possible.
• For Stage 2 (permanent 100 visa): You'll need new social evidence covering the two-year period since your original lodgement. Start keeping records of events you attend together from the day you lodge Stage 1.

Practical tip: Create a shared photo folder (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox) right now. After every social event, add photos with a note about the date and occasion. When Stage 2 arrives, you'll have everything ready without having to reconstruct two years of memories from scratch.

What this document is

A relationship history statement is a personal narrative explaining how your relationship developed and how it has continued over time. For the Subclass 100 stage, it is best treated as supporting evidence that helps explain your updated documents.

For Stage 2, the primary required relationship document is the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration. A separate relationship history statement can strengthen the application, but it does not replace that statutory declaration.

A separate statement from the applicant is often helpful, especially if there are periods of long distance, changed circumstances, or facts that need context. The sponsor may also provide an additional personal statement if useful, but the sponsor's statutory declaration remains the key document.

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Why it matters

A clear statement can:

• Explain the timeline of the relationship in one place
• Give context for gaps in cohabitation, travel, or document records
• Help the case officer understand how your relationship has continued since Stage 1
• Tie your evidence together across the four relationship pillars

This is particularly useful for offshore partner cases where there may have been periods living apart.

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What to cover

If you include a relationship history statement for Stage 2, focus on the period since the original 309/100 lodgement, while briefly anchoring the earlier history for context. Include the points that genuinely apply to your case:

1. How the relationship began — a short summary of when and how you met, and when the relationship became serious
2. Major milestones — engagement, marriage, moving in together, children, major trips, or other significant events
3. Living arrangements — where you have lived since Stage 1, and whether you have lived together or spent time apart
4. Periods apart — why you were apart, how long, and how you maintained the relationship during that time
5. Ongoing contact and visits — trips to see each other, communication patterns, and other evidence of continuity
6. Changes since Stage 1 — marriage after lodgement, a new child, new joint finances, new address, new future plans, or other developments
7. Current situation and future plans — where you intend to live, work, and build your life together after the permanent stage is decided

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Format and presentation

• Chronological structure: A timeline format is usually easiest to follow
• Length: There is no prescribed length; aim to be complete and specific rather than long for its own sake
• Language: Use plain, factual language in your own words
• Signed and dated: If you provide a personal statement, sign and date it
• Statutory declaration: If you want the statement itself to be a formal statutory declaration, it must be completed in the proper form and witnessed correctly. A normal personal statement does not need to be witnessed, but it is not a substitute for the sponsor's required Commonwealth statutory declaration

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Practical tips

Do not submit one joint statement pretending to be from both people. If both of you choose to provide personal statements, they should be separate and genuinely in each person's own words.

Keep it consistent with the rest of the application. Dates, addresses, travel, and milestones should match your uploaded documents and the sponsor's statutory declaration.

Explain distance directly. If you spent time in different countries or cities, say why and point to the evidence showing the relationship continued.

Use it to explain unusual facts. If there are gaps in joint documents, family objections, work commitments, or immigration delays, a clear explanation helps.

Do not pad it with generic language. Specific facts are more persuasive than emotional generalities.

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Strong vs weak examples

Weak	Strong
"We have stayed committed and still love each other."	"From June 2024 to November 2024 we lived in different countries because of my work contract. During that period we had daily WhatsApp calls, and [sponsor] visited me in Kuala Lumpur in August 2024 for 12 days."
"We kept in touch while apart."	"While apart, we spoke every evening and planned our next visit. I have included call summaries, flight records, and photos from our October 2025 trip together."
A long narrative with no clear dates	A dated timeline that matches travel records, messages, leases, and other uploaded evidence

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Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating a personal statement as a replacement for the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration
• Repeating only the original Stage 1 history without explaining what happened during the 2-year Stage 2 period
• Giving vague dates or inconsistent facts
• Ignoring periods apart instead of explaining them
• Submitting identical wording for both partners' personal statements
• Making claims that are not supported elsewhere in the evidence

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Timing

• Prepare it before lodging Stage 2 so it can be checked against the rest of your evidence
• Update it close to lodgement so it reflects the relationship up to the time of the permanent-stage application
• Keep notes during the 2-year period on visits, addresses, and major events so the final statement is accurate

If you are only choosing one formal narrative document for Stage 2, prioritise getting the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration right first, then add an applicant statement if it helps explain the evidence more clearly.

What this requirement is

This requirement is for the applicant's current passport biodata page. Home Affairs uses it to confirm your identity and match your current passport details to your Subclass 100 assessment.

The visa guide for this pathway treats this as part of the applicant identity-document set: you should provide your current passport pages showing photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates.

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Why it matters

Your passport is one of the core identity documents in the application. Home Affairs uses it to verify your:

• full name
• date of birth
• nationality
• passport number
• passport issue and expiry dates

If your passport details have changed since the original combined 309/100 application, this is the stage to make sure your record and uploaded documents reflect your current passport.

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Exactly what to provide

Upload a clear copy of the page of your current passport that shows:

• your photograph
• your full name
• your date of birth
• your nationality
• your passport number
• the passport issue date
• the passport expiry date

If your passport spreads these details across more than one page, include all relevant pages.

If there is a relevant endorsement or observation page connected to your identity details, include that as well.

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Quality and upload notes

• use a clear, legible scan or photo
• make sure the full page is visible and not cropped
• check that the text and numbers are readable, including the machine-readable zone at the bottom if present
• avoid glare, blur, deep shadows, or cut-off edges

A colour scan or photo is usually the safest option for clarity, but the key requirement is that the document is complete and readable.

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Certification and translations

For documents uploaded through ImmiAccount, Home Affairs generally accepts clear scans or photos of original documents unless the Department specifically asks for certification later.

If your passport details are not in English, upload the original document and an English translation:

• if translated in Australia, use a translator accredited by NAATI
• if translated outside Australia, the translation should include the translator's full name, address, phone number, and qualifications in English

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If your passport changed after Stage 1

If you renewed or replaced your passport after the earlier partner-visa stage, update Home Affairs with the new details and upload the new biodata page.

The quickest method is usually through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs partner-visa guidance also says to report changes in your situation, including new passport details. If you cannot update it in ImmiAccount, follow the current Home Affairs change-of-circumstances process.

If your name also changed with the new passport, provide the relevant name-change evidence under the separate identity requirement as well.

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Common mistakes to avoid

• uploading the passport cover instead of the biodata page
• uploading an old passport when you now hold a newer current passport
• submitting an image where the passport number or expiry date is blurred or cut off
• uploading only one page when the passport details are split across multiple pages
• forgetting to update Home Affairs after a passport renewal or replacement

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Practical tips

• compare the passport details in ImmiAccount with the uploaded document before you submit
• keep a copy of anything you upload, because Home Affairs says you cannot access supporting documents from ImmiAccount after upload
• if an old passport helps explain travel history or previous identity details, keep it available as supporting evidence, but this requirement is primarily about your current passport details

What This Requirement Is

Home Affairs can require police certificates from every country outside Australia where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more since turning 16, within the last 10 years. This applies to you as the primary applicant. Dependent children aged 16 and over may also need to provide their own police certificates.

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Why It Matters

Police certificates are part of the character assessment. Missing, outdated, or incomplete certificates can delay a decision, and the Department can ask for fresh certificates if what you provided is no longer current enough.

Failing to disclose a criminal record — even a minor or historical offence — can result in visa refusal on character grounds. Always declare everything truthfully, even if a conviction is old, minor, or you believe it is spent.

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Exactly What to Provide

Which countries are covered:

• Every country outside Australia where you lived for a total of 12 months or more since turning 16, within the last 10 years
• This includes your current country of residence
• Count the time cumulatively. Multiple shorter stays in the same country can still push you over the 12-month threshold
• If you have also spent 12 months or more in Australia, that is covered separately under the Australian Federal Police check requirement

Certificate format:

• The correct issuing authority depends on the country. Use Home Affairs' Offices outside Australia guidance to identify the exact authority and process for each country
• For online applications, upload a clear scan or copy of the certificate unless Home Affairs later asks to see an original
• If not in English, a certified translation is required (see below)

Certificate validity:

• Home Affairs says to get police certificates before you apply and accepts certificates issued in the 12 months before visa lodgement
• Because Partner visa processing can be lengthy, the Department may later ask for an updated certificate if the one on file is no longer current enough at the time of assessment

If you served in the military:

• Also provide any military service records, military certificate, discharge papers, or Form 1399 if requested

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How to Obtain Overseas Police Certificates

General Steps

1. Identify the relevant issuing authority for each country (typically the national police, federal police, or Ministry of Interior)
2. Use Home Affairs' Offices outside Australia information to confirm the exact process for that country
3. Some countries require fingerprints — allow extra time for fingerprinting appointments
4. Pay any applicable fee and submit the application with all required identity documents
5. Allow significant lead time — processing varies from days to months depending on the country

Always verify the current process directly using the Home Affairs country guidance and the issuing authority's own instructions. Requirements, fees, and wait times vary by country and change regularly.

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Translations

All police certificates not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation:

• Translated in Australia: must be completed by a NAATI-accredited translator
• Translated outside Australia: the translator should include their full name, address, phone number, and qualifications
• Submit both the original document and the certified translation together as a single file

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Pro Tips

Start early — overseas certificates are the most common source of delays. Some countries take 2–4 months or longer. Apply as soon as you begin preparing your application. Do not wait until after lodgement.

Time your applications carefully. Home Affairs accepts police certificates issued in the 12 months before you apply. If you obtain them too early, you may be asked for fresh ones later.

If you cannot obtain a certificate from a particular country, provide:

• A written explanation of why the certificate cannot be obtained (e.g., the country no longer issues these certificates, access is genuinely impossible, or the issuing authority does not respond)
• Evidence of your attempts — emails, correspondence, receipts
• Any alternative documentation the country can provide

Home Affairs considers these situations case by case. If you cannot get a certificate, you should be ready to show that you made genuine attempts and followed the country-specific process.

Do not undercount your time in each country. The 10-year lookback catches applicants who overlook working holidays, student exchanges, or repeated long visits. Add up the total time carefully.

Disclose everything, even spent or minor convictions. A case officer discovering an undisclosed conviction causes far greater concern than proactively disclosing it with context. If you have any criminal history, consider consulting a registered migration agent before lodging.

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Stage 2 (Subclass 100 Permanent Assessment) — Updated Certificates

At the permanent Stage 2 assessment, you will likely need to provide updated or additional overseas police certificates:

• New overseas certificates from any country where you spent 12 months or more since the grant of your Subclass 309 visa — note this scope is different from Stage 1 (it is measured from the 309 grant date, not from age 16)
• A new AFP certificate if the Department asks for an updated Australian police check
• An AFP certificate for the first time if you did not need to provide one at Stage 1 but have since spent 12 months in Australia

Begin gathering Stage 2 certificates well in advance of your Stage 2 lodgement date.

What this is

The health examination is the immigration medical assessment Home Affairs uses to decide whether you meet the visa health requirement. It must be completed through the Department's health process and, if you are outside Australia, by a panel physician or clinic approved by Home Affairs.

For partner visas, Home Affairs may require examinations not only for the main applicant, but also for dependent applicants and sometimes certain non-migrating family members. The exact examinations required are determined by the Department and shown on your health referral.

Home Affairs will not finalise the visa until the required health assessment is completed and assessed.

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What the examination usually involves

The exact tests vary by your age, visa pathway, medical history, country history, and what Home Affairs lists on your referral. Depending on your circumstances, the health assessment can include:

• a general medical examination
• a chest X-ray
• blood tests such as HIV testing for applicants in visa pathways with a permanent residence outcome
• other pathology, specialist reports, or follow-up tests if requested

Do not assume every applicant gets the same test list. Use the Health Examination List linked to your HAP ID as the authoritative checklist for you.

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Step 1 — Get your HAP ID and health referral

Before booking, you need a HAP ID (Health Assessment Protocol ID). This links your examination results to your case.

You usually get the HAP ID from Home Affairs after lodging, together with the list of examinations you must complete. If you are allowed to do examinations upfront before lodgement, you may be able to obtain a HAP ID through My Health Declarations (MHD) instead.

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
2. Open the relevant application or health referral
3. Download or note your HAP ID and the examinations requested
4. Take the HAP ID to the clinic

Do not attend without your HAP ID. The clinic needs it to locate your case in eMedical and submit the results correctly.

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Step 2 — Book an approved provider

1. Use the panel physician search tool: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/offices-and-locations/find-a-panel-physician
2. Choose an approved clinic in your country or city
3. Book directly with that clinic and follow its instructions
4. Bring your passport, HAP ID, and any relevant medical records, prescriptions, or old reports the clinic asks for

Only examinations done through the approved migration medical network are accepted. A GP, hospital, radiology provider, or pathology lab that is not part of that process cannot complete this requirement for visa purposes.

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Timing and validity

• Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months from the date you complete them.
• If results expire before Home Affairs is ready to decide the visa, you may be asked to repeat some or all examinations at your own expense.
• Health examinations can sometimes be completed before lodgement if the visa is eligible for My Health Declarations. If you have already lodged, use the referral issued through your application instead.
• Because the 309/100 pathway can be lengthy, avoid doing the medical too early unless you are intentionally using the approved upfront process.

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Practical notes

• Follow the referral, not a generic checklist. Your HAP-linked examination list is more reliable than assumptions about what all partner visa applicants do.
• Disclose your medical history honestly. If you have prior TB treatment, chronic illness, pregnancy, major surgery, or specialist care, tell the clinic and bring records if available.
• Expect possible follow-up requests. Abnormal findings or certain health histories can lead to extra tests or specialist review before the health assessment is finalised.
• Each person assessed needs their own HAP ID and appointment flow. Do not assume a child or family member is covered by the main applicant's appointment.
• Clinic fees vary. Home Affairs does not set a single government fee for these examinations; you pay the clinic directly, and extra tests can increase the cost.

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Common mistakes to avoid

• attending without the HAP ID or wrong referral
• booking with a non-approved provider
• assuming previous medicals, X-rays, or blood tests from another visa or employer will be accepted
• ignoring requests for additional tests or specialist follow-up
• completing the medical too early and then letting results expire before decision time

What Form 888 is

Form 888 is a Department of Home Affairs supporting statement completed by a person who knows both you and your partner and knows the history of your relationship. Home Affairs uses it as third-party evidence about the social aspects of the relationship.

It is helpful supporting evidence, but it does not replace your own relationship evidence or the sponsor's separate Commonwealth statutory declaration for the Subclass 100 stage.

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Why it matters

Form 888 gives the case officer an independent account from someone who has actually seen your relationship. A useful statement is specific, based on first-hand knowledge, and consistent with the rest of your evidence.

The current Home Affairs form also warns that making a false statement in connection with a visa application is an offence under the Migration Act 1958.

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Who should complete it

The current Form 888 states that the person completing it must:

• be at least 18 years old
• know the visa applicant and their partner or fiance(e) and the history of their relationship
• provide documentary evidence of their current name and age
• provide evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency, if applicable

Choose people with genuine first-hand knowledge of you as a couple. Quality matters more than generic praise. Follow the document checklist in ImmiAccount for your case. The current form also says you may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during processing.

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What a strong Form 888 should cover

A strong statement should explain:

1. How the witness knows each of you and for how long
2. How often they have been in contact with you
3. What they have personally observed about the relationship
4. Why they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing
5. Any other relevant matters that support the application

Specific dates, places, visits, family events, holidays, and day-to-day observations are more persuasive than broad statements such as "they are a great couple".

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How to complete and submit it

1. Download the current Form 888 from Home Affairs
2. The supporting witness completes it in English and may attach extra pages if more space is needed
3. The witness attaches the identity evidence requested by the form
4. The witness signs and dates the form
5. Scan it clearly and upload it to ImmiAccount

Important: The current Form 888 (design date 11/24) does not include a separate Justice of the Peace, notary, or other authorised witness certification section. Do not confuse Form 888 with a Commonwealth statutory declaration.

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Stage 2 — Subclass 100 (Permanent) assessment

Updated Form 888 statements can still be useful at Stage 2 if they provide recent observations about your relationship. However, they do not replace the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration, which is the key separate relationship document for the permanent-stage assessment.

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Common mistakes to avoid

• using witnesses who know only one partner and have little direct knowledge of the relationship
• submitting vague statements with no concrete examples
• attaching no identity evidence for the person completing the form
• relying on Form 888 alone instead of also providing broader relationship evidence
• reusing old statements at Stage 2 without any updated observations
• using outdated instructions that say Form 888 must be witnessed by a JP or notary

What this requirement is

Lodging the Stage 2 application is the step that allows Home Affairs to consider you for the permanent Subclass 100 visa after the provisional Subclass 309 stage. This is done online in ImmiAccount.

Do not assume the Department will prompt you when you become eligible. If you hold a temporary Partner visa and 2 years have passed since you first applied, you can start the Stage 2 process yourself in ImmiAccount.

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When you become eligible

For most applicants, Stage 2 becomes available 2 years after the date the original 309/100 application was lodged. It is based on the original application date, not the date the Subclass 309 was granted.

Home Affairs also recognises some cases for earlier permanent assessment, including where, at the time of the original application:

• the relationship had already lasted 3 years or more, or
• the relationship had already lasted 2 years or more and there was a dependent child of the relationship

If you think an exception may apply, get advice based on your own facts before assuming the 2-year wait does not apply.

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How to lodge Stage 2 in ImmiAccount

Home Affairs' current Partner visa FAQ says that if you hold a temporary Subclass 309 or 820 visa and 2 years have passed since you first applied, you can:

1. Log in to ImmiAccount
2. Select New application
3. Select Family
4. Select Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)
5. Complete the online form using your Application ID

Home Affairs says you can find your Application ID in its correspondence, including your acknowledgement of application received letter or your visa grant letter.

There is no additional visa application charge for the Stage 2 permanent partner assessment.

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What to prepare before you submit

Stage 2 is about showing that you still meet the partner criteria. The evidence should be current and updated, especially for the period since the original application was lodged.

Commonly useful material includes:

• updated relationship evidence across the usual areas such as financial arrangements, household arrangements, social recognition, and ongoing mutual commitment
• the sponsor's updated statement or statutory declaration if requested in ImmiAccount or otherwise needed for your evidence set
• updated identity documents if passports, names, or other personal details have changed
• evidence of any major change in circumstances, such as a new address, children, periods of separation, or other material updates
• any police, health, or other documents specifically requested by Home Affairs in ImmiAccount or by a case officer

The exact document checklist can vary. Follow the checklist and any requests shown in ImmiAccount, because those instructions control your case.

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Evidence tips

• Focus on the updated period. The point of Stage 2 is to show the relationship has remained genuine and continuing since lodgement.
• Do not rely only on old uploads. Earlier documents may still sit on file, but Stage 2 should include fresh evidence.
• Keep dates and facts consistent. Your form, declarations, and supporting documents should line up on addresses, travel, living arrangements, and major events.
• Explain any separation clearly. Time apart does not automatically prevent grant, but unexplained gaps can create concern.
• Lodge once you are eligible and ready. There is no separate published Stage 2 filing deadline, but waiting longer will usually delay permanent residence.

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Important caution

The permanent Subclass 100 decision is tied to the partner pathway. If your visa status or relationship circumstances change, update Home Affairs promptly and get advice before taking steps that could affect the application.

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After lodging

• Monitor ImmiAccount for messages and requests
• Respond within any timeframe Home Affairs gives you
• Keep your passport, address, email, and other personal details up to date in ImmiAccount
• Check current processing information using the Home Affairs processing times tool rather than relying on fixed estimates

What this requirement means

Receiving the Subclass 100 (Partner Migrant) grant notification means you have moved from the provisional stage to permanent residency. From that point, you hold an Australian permanent visa and can live in Australia indefinitely.

The visa is granted electronically and linked to your passport. There is no physical visa label or sticker. In practice, your grant letter and your VEVO record are the main ways to confirm the visa and its travel facility.

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Why it matters

Confirming your permanent resident status matters because it affects several important next steps:

• your 5-year travel facility starts from the visa grant date
• your citizenship residence timing depends in part on when your permanent residence date begins
• you may be able to sponsor eligible relatives through other visa pathways
• you can generally enrol in Medicare if you are living in Australia
• access to other government benefits, study assistance, or concessions depends on separate eligibility rules

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What you receive with the grant

When Home Affairs grants your Subclass 100, the decision record will usually show details such as:

• your visa grant number
• the date of grant
• any visa conditions shown for the visa
• the end date of the visa's travel facility

Use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) to check your current visa details and conditions at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online.

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Critical: when does permanent residence start for citizenship purposes?

For citizenship planning, Home Affairs says your permanent residence date is usually:

Your location when the 100 was granted	Permanent residence date
In Australia	the visa grant date
Outside Australia	the date you first entered Australia on that permanent visa

If the 100 was granted while you were outside Australia, this can push back the date from which you are treated as a permanent resident for citizenship residence calculations.

Action: record both the grant date and, if relevant, the first entry date after grant.

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Your main rights as a permanent resident

Right	Detail
Live in Australia	Indefinitely
Work	No work restriction attached to the permanent visa
Study	You can study in Australia, but specific fee settings and student loan access have separate rules
Medicare	You can generally enrol in Medicare if you are living in Australia
Travel	You can travel while the visa's travel facility remains valid
Sponsor eligible relatives	Possible in some visa categories, subject to those visa rules
Citizenship	You may apply once you meet the citizenship residence requirements

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Understanding the 5-year travel facility

Your Subclass 100 includes a 5-year travel facility from the visa grant date. During that period, you can usually leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

After the travel facility expires, your permanent visa itself does not expire, but you may need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) if you want to return to Australia after overseas travel and you are not yet an Australian citizen.

If you stay in Australia and do not travel overseas after the travel facility ends, the expiry of the travel facility does not by itself cancel your permanent resident status.

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Steps to take once the 100 is granted

1. Save the grant letter from ImmiAccount and keep a backup copy.
2. Check VEVO to confirm the visa details and note the travel facility end date.
3. Record key dates relevant to citizenship planning, especially the grant date and any first entry date after grant.
4. Update your details in Home Affairs systems if your passport or contact details change.
5. Enrol in Medicare or update your Medicare record if needed and if you are living in Australia.
6. Plan ahead for travel so you do not overlook the end of the travel facility.
7. Keep travel records if you may later apply for citizenship.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it matters
Assuming the citizenship permanent residence date is always the grant date	If you were outside Australia at grant, the relevant date is usually your first entry on the permanent visa
Assuming permanent residency expires when the 5-year travel facility ends	The travel facility expires, not the permanent visa itself
Assuming permanent residency automatically gives access to every student loan or government payment	Separate eligibility rules still apply for programs such as HELP loans and social security
Failing to check VEVO after grant	VEVO is the practical record many employers, agencies, and service providers rely on
Not keeping a copy of the grant letter and key travel dates	These details are useful for future citizenship, travel, and identity checks

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Key resources

• VEVO: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online
• Proof of permanent residence: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/evidence-of-residency-status
• Permanent resident entitlements: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/entitlements
• Medicare enrolment: servicesaustralia.gov.au/enrolling-medicare-if-youre-an-australian-permanent-resident
• Citizenship residence calculator: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/tools/residence-calculator
• Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 100: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-offshore/migrant-100