Your partner visa, organised.

What this requirement means

The Subclass 309 is an offshore partner visa. Home Affairs describes it as an offshore stream, and lists being outside Australia when you lodge the application as a key rule.

According to Home Affairs, a 309 application submitted while the applicant is physically in Australia is generally treated as invalid.

Current decision-position rule

This point is important because older guidance is often repeated incorrectly.

Under the current rules Home Affairs publishes, the applicant:

• is expected to be outside Australia when applying for the subclass 309, and
• can be in or outside Australia when the visa is decided, but if in Australia, is expected not to be in immigration clearance at the time of decision

That means the old statement that a 309 applicant must always be outside Australia at grant is no longer accurate.

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Why it matters

This requirement determines whether the 309/100 offshore pathway is the correct visa stream for you.

• 309/100: offshore lodgement pathway
• 820/801: onshore lodgement pathway

Home Affairs treats physical location at lodgement as decisive: an application it considers invalid is not cured by an applicant arguing they intended to apply offshore.

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What counts as being outside Australia

For this requirement, you should assume you need to be physically outside Australia and its external territories when you lodge.

This includes being outside:

• The Australian mainland
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Norfolk Island
• Other Australian external territories

Do not rely on airport transit-zone assumptions when lodging. If there is any doubt about whether your location counts as being outside Australia, wait until you are clearly offshore or obtain registered migration advice first.

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Visiting Australia after lodgement

After a valid offshore lodgement, some applicants visit Australia during processing using another visa, such as a visitor visa if eligible. This does not convert the 309 into an onshore application.

Important points:

• Home Affairs expects you to hold a visa that lets you enter and stay in Australia lawfully
• A pending 309 application does not give you a bridging visa for travel to or stay in Australia
• If the Department is ready to decide your application while you are in Australia, grant can still occur under the current rules as long as you are not in immigration clearance at that time

Because travel history and status can become complicated, keep your travel lawful and monitor your ImmiAccount closely for requests or updates.

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If you are currently in Australia and want to apply

If you are in Australia right now, do not lodge the subclass 309 until you have left Australia.

Depending on your circumstances, your options may include:

• Leaving Australia and lodging the 309 offshore, or
• Considering the onshore 820/801 pathway if you are eligible and it suits your situation better

The 309 and 820 are different application streams. If you are unsure which pathway is appropriate, get advice before lodging.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it matters
Lodging the 309 while in Australia	The application may be invalid from the start
Assuming you must still be offshore for grant because of older guidance	This can lead to unnecessary travel or confusion; the current rule is different
Relying on airport transit or border-edge scenarios	These situations are risky and can create avoidable validity problems
Assuming a pending 309 lets you stay in Australia	Offshore applicants do not receive a bridging visa from the 309 application

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Steps to confirm you meet this requirement

1. Check where you will physically be when you press submit in ImmiAccount
2. Make sure you are clearly outside Australia before lodging the application
3. Keep evidence of your travel in case you later need to show you were offshore at lodgement
4. If you visit Australia after lodging, make sure you hold a separate valid visa and keep monitoring ImmiAccount
5. If your circumstances are unusual, especially around travel timing or border status, get registered migration advice before lodging

What This Requirement Is

The sponsor lifetime limit is one of the key sponsorship restrictions for partner visas. Under the Migration Regulations, Home Affairs generally must not approve a sponsorship unless the sponsor has had no more than one other person granted a relevant partner or prospective marriage visa/permission on the basis of their sponsorship.

In practical terms, that means a sponsor can usually sponsor up to 2 partners in total across their lifetime for:

• Partner visas (including offshore subclass 309/100 and onshore subclass 820/801)
• Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)

If this would be the sponsor's third such successful sponsorship, Home Affairs will generally not approve it unless a discretion is exercised because of compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor.

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Why It Matters

If the sponsor has already reached the lifetime cap, the sponsorship may be refused and the visa application will not succeed on the normal pathway. This is separate from the other sponsorship limits, including:

• The 5-year waiting period after sponsoring a previous partner
• The separate rule that can apply if the sponsor was themselves previously granted a partner-related visa

Because these rules overlap, sponsors should check all three before lodgement.

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What Counts Toward the Lifetime Limit

The safest way to think about the rule is:

• A prior sponsorship counts toward the lifetime cap if it led to the other person being granted the relevant partner/prospective marriage visa or permission
• A sponsorship for a subclass 300 also counts
• The sponsor's own history as a previous visa applicant does not use up one of their sponsorship slots for this particular rule

What Usually Does Not Count Toward This Limit

A prior sponsorship that was lodged but never resulted in the other person being granted the relevant visa/permission is not the same as a counted lifetime sponsorship for this rule. However, it may still matter for the separate 5-year waiting period or for general assessment of the sponsorship history, so it should still be disclosed.

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The Limits At a Glance

Limitation	Detail
Lifetime cap	Usually no more than 2 successful partner/prospective marriage sponsorships in total
5-year waiting period	If the sponsor previously sponsored a partner, at least 5 years generally must have passed since the previous application date
Previously sponsored person rule	If the sponsor was themselves granted a relevant partner visa/permission, separate timing limits may apply
Waiver/discretion	Home Affairs may still approve in compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor

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How to Check This Requirement

Step 1 — List every previous partner-related sponsorship

The sponsor should list any previous sponsorships for:

• Subclass 309/100
• Subclass 820/801
• Subclass 300

Include ex-spouses, former de facto partners, and former fiancés/fiancées.

Step 2 — Identify the outcome of each prior sponsorship

For each prior sponsorship, confirm whether the sponsored person was actually granted the relevant visa/permission. This is critical because the lifetime cap is not assessed the same way as the 5-year waiting-period rule.

Step 3 — Count how many prior grants were made on the sponsor's sponsorship

• 0 prior grants: this would usually be the sponsor's first counted sponsorship
• 1 prior grant: this would usually be the sponsor's second counted sponsorship
• 2 prior grants: this would usually be the sponsor's third counted sponsorship, so the lifetime cap issue arises

Step 4 — Check the other sponsorship limitations as well

Even if the sponsor is still within the lifetime cap, they may still be affected by:

• The 5-year sponsorship waiting period
• The rule about having been previously sponsored themselves

Step 5 — Disclose the history honestly in ImmiAccount

The sponsor should answer all questions about previous sponsorships truthfully and consistently. Home Affairs can verify prior immigration history from its own records.

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Evidence to Gather

To confirm the sponsor's history, gather:

• Old ImmiAccount records
• Prior Home Affairs correspondence
• Any visa grant notices for previously sponsored partners
• If records are missing, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for immigration records

If there is a potential third sponsorship, prepare a short chronology showing:

• who was sponsored
• what visa was involved
• whether it was granted
• the application and grant dates, if available

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Waiver / Ministerial Discretion

The legislation allows Home Affairs to approve a sponsorship despite the lifetime limit if there are compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor. This is discretionary, not automatic.

The published materials do not give a closed list of what will be accepted. If a sponsor may be over the lifetime cap, it is sensible to get advice before lodging and paying the visa application charge.

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Pro Tips

• Count subclass 300 sponsorships. They are part of the same overall sponsorship-limit framework.
• Do not confuse this with the 5-year waiting period. The lifetime cap and the 5-year rule are related but different.
• Do not confuse being a sponsor with being an applicant. A sponsor who was once sponsored themselves may trigger a different rule, but that does not itself use up a lifetime sponsorship slot.
• Old cases still matter. A sponsorship from many years ago can still count if it led to the person being granted the relevant visa/permission.
• Disclose even uncertain history. If there is any doubt, explain it and provide what records you have rather than omitting it.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It Matters
Confusing the lifetime cap with the 5-year waiting period	They are separate rules and are assessed differently
Forgetting an old subclass 300 or partner sponsorship	Older successful sponsorships can still count toward the lifetime cap
Assuming being previously sponsored is the same as previously sponsoring someone	Those are different limitations
Failing to check whether the previous sponsorship actually led to a grant	The lifetime-cap rule turns on prior grants, not just any past lodgement
Not disclosing prior sponsorship history	Home Affairs can verify immigration records and inconsistencies can cause problems

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When to Seek Professional Advice

Consult a registered migration agent (find one at mara.gov.au) before lodging if:

• The sponsor may already have 2 previous successful partner/prospective marriage sponsorships
• The sponsor has a mixed history of prior sponsorships, withdrawals, refusals, or grants and the count is unclear
• You think Home Affairs may need to exercise discretion because of compelling circumstances
• There are other sponsor-eligibility issues as well, such as criminal-history concerns or the separate 5-year restrictions

What This Requirement Is

Joint bank account statements are one example of financial evidence Home Affairs may consider when assessing whether a partner relationship is genuine and continuing. A shared account that is genuinely used by both partners can help show financial interdependence.

This document type falls under Pillar 1: Financial Aspects, one of the four relationship evidence categories. Home Affairs also accepts other financial evidence, so a missing joint account is not fatal if you provide other credible documents showing shared financial responsibilities.

Home Affairs lists joint bank account statements as an example of financial relationship evidence alongside items such as joint loans, joint mortgages or leases, and household bills in both names.

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Why It Matters

Financial evidence helps answer a practical question: are you and your partner managing money in a way that is consistent with a real shared life?

A joint bank account can be useful because it may show:

• Both partners agreed to open and maintain the account
• Ongoing shared financial management
• A pattern of contributions, transfers, or spending connected to the relationship
• Consistency with the rest of your evidence, such as your address, lease, or shared expenses

For offshore couples, this evidence can be especially helpful if you have spent time living apart or in different countries. In those cases, statements showing transfers, support payments, or shared spending can still assist even if you have limited traditional household evidence.

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Exactly What to Provide

If you have a joint bank account

Provide statements from a joint account held in both partners' names, covering as much of the relationship period as you reasonably can. Stronger statements usually show:

• Both names printed on the account or statement header
• Regular activity over time, not just a newly opened account with little use
• Transaction patterns consistent with shared expenses or mutual financial support
• Dates that line up with the relationship timeline described elsewhere in your application

Provide clear, legible PDF statements where possible. If the account is overseas, a short note identifying the bank, account holders, and currency can help with context.

If you do not have a joint account

A joint account is not mandatory. Many genuine couples, especially offshore couples, do not have one. Other relevant financial evidence can include:

• Bank transfers between your individual accounts, with statements from both sides where possible
• Evidence of financial support from one partner to the other, such as remittances or regular payments toward living costs
• Shared bill payments for rent, utilities, insurance, travel, or subscriptions
• Joint purchases supported by receipts, invoices, or bank records
• A written explanation of your financial arrangement and why you do not hold a joint account

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How to Obtain Bank Statements

Australian or overseas bank accounts

1. Log in to your bank's online banking portal or app
2. Download available statements as PDF files where possible
3. If older statements are not available online, request copies from the bank
4. If you want additional clarity, ask the bank for a letter or statement showing both account holders' names

If the statements are not in English

Home Affairs expects non-English documents to be accompanied by an English translation.

• In Australia: use a NAATI-accredited translator and include the translator's NAATI practitioner number
• Outside Australia: use a qualified translator and include the translator's full name, address, phone number, and qualifications
• Upload the original document and the English translation together

Important: Do not upload non-English financial documents on their own. Provide the original document together with its English translation.

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Pro Tips

• More history is usually better. There is no published rule requiring a specific minimum number of months for joint account statements, but a longer history is generally more persuasive than a very short snapshot.

• Do not rely on a token account. A joint account opened shortly before lodgement with little or no real use is much weaker than older statements showing genuine activity.

• Use both sides of transfer evidence. If you are relying on transfers between separate accounts, provide the sending and receiving records where possible so the transactions can be cross-checked.

• Combine this with other financial evidence. Joint bank statements are strongest when they are consistent with other Pillar 1 documents, such as joint loans, insurance, leases, or household bills.

• Explain unusual arrangements. If banking restrictions, currency controls, long-distance living arrangements, or cultural practices affected how you managed money, say so briefly in a cover note or personal statement.

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What a Case Officer Is Likely to Notice

What they check	What tends to help
Both names on the account	Clear evidence the account is genuinely joint
Activity over time	A sustained history rather than a last-minute account opening
Transaction pattern	Spending or transfers that fit the way you describe your relationship
Consistency	Statements that match your address history, visits, lease, or other financial records
Context	A short explanation where the account history is limited or the couple mostly lived apart

Stronger example:

A joint account open for a substantial part of the relationship, with repeated contributions or shared spending that lines up with the couple's address and other documents.

Weaker example:

A recently opened account with minimal activity and no clear link to the couple's day-to-day financial arrangements.

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Timelines

Task	Typical time needed
Downloading available statements online	Same day
Requesting older statements from a bank	A few business days to a few weeks, depending on the bank
English translation in Australia	Often several business days to 1–2 weeks
English translation outside Australia	Often several business days to a few weeks

Start early. If your joint account history is limited, use the extra time before lodgement to gather other financial evidence and prepare a short explanation of how you and your partner manage money.

What this requirement is

Proof of shared residence is evidence of your living arrangements and day-to-day household life together. For partner visas, Home Affairs assesses the nature of the household as one of the relationship factors. Official examples include:

• a statement about how you shared housework
• household bills in both names
• mail or emails addressed to you both
• documents showing joint responsibility for children
• documents that prove your living arrangements

This requirement is about showing that your relationship operated as a real shared household, not just that you visited each other or used the same mailing address.

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Why it matters

Home Affairs looks at household evidence together with your financial, social, and commitment evidence when deciding whether the relationship is genuine and continuing.

For de facto applicants, shared residence evidence is especially important because the relationship usually must have existed for at least 12 months immediately before application unless an exemption applies. For married applicants, it is still important evidence, but there is no rule that every couple must have exactly the same type or amount of household documentation.

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What to provide

Provide the best combination of independent documents you genuinely have, ideally covering different points in time.

Documents proving living arrangements:

• Joint lease or tenancy agreement
• Property ownership records or mortgage documents for the home you lived in
• Letters or emails from a landlord, property manager, or real estate agent confirming you both lived there
• Mail addressed to each of you at the same address
• Utility, internet, water, or council records showing the shared address
• Bank statements, insurance records, or government correspondence showing the same residential address

Evidence of how the household worked:

• A joint written statement explaining your living arrangements and how you divided household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry, and bills
• Documents showing joint responsibility for children, if relevant
• Evidence relating to shared pets or shared home services, if relevant
• A small number of clear photos of your home or domestic life, if they genuinely help explain the living arrangement

If some documents are only in one partner's name, that does not automatically make them useless. Explain the arrangement briefly and support it with other evidence.

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If you are currently living apart

This can happen in offshore partner cases, but you should address it directly.

1. Provide evidence from any periods you did live together. Use leases, bills, mail, photos, travel records, or other documents from those periods.
2. Explain why you are currently apart. For example: work, visa status, study, family commitments, or waiting for the visa outcome.
3. Show that the separation is not permanent. Include your plans for living together in Australia or elsewhere, and any practical evidence supporting those plans.

If you are relying on short visits or temporary stays, describe them accurately. They can still help as part of the overall picture, but for de facto applicants they may not, by themselves, establish a full 12-month de facto period.

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Practical tips

• Use multiple document types where possible rather than relying on one item alone.
• Keep names, addresses, and dates visible on the documents you upload.
• Add a short explanation if bills, lease records, or mail are mostly in one name only.
• Include English translations for any non-English documents.
• Keep your household evidence consistent with the address history and timeline used elsewhere in the application.

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Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on a single document such as one bill or one lease page without any supporting context
• Ignoring periods of separation instead of explaining them clearly
• Overstating temporary visits as permanent cohabitation
• Submitting unclear scans or screenshots where names, dates, or addresses cannot be read
• Forgetting translations for non-English documents

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Stronger and weaker examples

Stronger: A joint lease, mail to each partner at the same address, utility or internet records, and a short joint statement explaining how you actually ran the household.

Weaker: One document showing an address, with no supporting explanation and no other evidence tying both partners to the same home.

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Timing

• Gather historical household documents from across the relationship, not just the most recent month.
• There is no fixed expiry for older household evidence, but recent evidence is usually helpful if you have continued living together.
• If you later proceed to the subclass 100 stage, keep saving updated household evidence for the period after the 309 application or grant.

What This Requirement Is

The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your relationship is socially recognised as part of the relationship evidence categories often called the four pillars. For this requirement, the focus is on evidence that you attend events together as a couple, appear together in each other's social circles, and are recognised publicly by friends, family, or the wider community.

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Why It Matters

Social aspects evidence is one of the four categories Home Affairs considers when deciding whether a relationship is genuine and continuing. If your file has strong financial or household evidence but very little proof of a shared social life, that gap can weaken the overall picture.

Important: Photos can help, but they are usually strongest when paired with context such as invitations, tickets, messages, captions, or witness evidence showing what the event was and when it happened.

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Exactly What to Provide

Aim for a mix of evidence types across the course of your relationship.

Primary evidence

• Invitations addressed to both of you — wedding invitations, birthday invitations, engagement events, holiday gatherings, or other formal social invitations
• Event tickets or booking confirmations — concerts, theatre, sporting events, festivals, or other activities you attended together
• Event programs or order-of-service documents from weddings, funerals, ceremonies, graduations, or religious events you both attended
• Captioned photos from events — include the date, location, occasion, and, where helpful, who else was present

Supporting evidence

• RSVP confirmations or registration receipts in one or both names
• Social media posts or stories showing you together at the event, with the post date and account name visible where possible
• Tagged posts, comments, or messages from friends and family referring to you as a couple at the event
• Group photos from birthdays, family gatherings, cultural celebrations, or community events
• Form 888 declarations or short supporting statements from witnesses who have seen you attending events together

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How to Obtain It

1. Check old emails and messages for invitations, RSVPs, booking confirmations, and event reminders.
2. Scan or photograph physical documents such as paper invitations, programs, or tickets you still have.
3. Download booking records from ticketing or event platforms such as Ticketmaster or Eventbrite.
4. Collect event photos from your phone, shared albums, or family and friends who attended with you.
5. Save screenshots carefully so the date, sender or account name, and relevant context are visible.
6. If a meaningful event has little paperwork, ask a witness for a brief statement or Form 888 describing that they saw you attend together as a couple.

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Pro Tips

• Organise evidence chronologically so the case officer can follow your shared social life over time.
• Cover more than one type of event if you can: family functions, community events, celebrations, and ordinary social outings all help build a fuller picture.
• Use captions on photos and screenshots so they make sense without explanation.
• Link evidence across documents where possible. For example, pair a wedding invitation with event photos and a witness declaration from someone who attended.
• Do not rely only on selfies or posed photos. Context matters more than volume.
• For offshore couples, evidence from visits to each other is still useful if it shows you attending family or community events together.

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Strong vs Weak Evidence

Occasion	Weak	Strong
Attending a wedding	One uncaptioned photo	Invitation, ceremony program, and captioned photos of you attending together
Concert or show	Mentioning it only in a personal statement	Booking confirmation plus a dated photo or message from the event
Family birthday	Undated group photo	Dated group photo, invitation or messages about the event, and witness support if available
Social media	Screenshot with no date or account details	Screenshot showing the post date, account name, and both of you at the event

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Timelines

• Older event evidence can still be useful if it helps show the history of your relationship.
• Try to include evidence from different stages of the relationship, not just recent events.
• For Stage 2 (subclass 100): include newer social evidence covering the period since lodgement or since grant of the subclass 309, as relevant to your timeline. Earlier Stage 1 evidence can still provide background, but you should not rely on old evidence alone for the permanent stage.

What this requirement is

A relationship history statement (also called a personal statement or relationship narrative) is a written account of your relationship told in your own words. Both you and your sponsor should each write a separate statement — and both are submitted with your application.

The Department of Home Affairs uses these statements to understand the history and context of your relationship and to assess whether the rest of your evidence supports what you have described.

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Why it matters

This is one of the most important documents in your entire application. A vague, generic, or inconsistent statement raises serious doubts about your relationship — even when the rest of your evidence is strong.

A well-written relationship history statement:

• Demonstrates that the relationship is genuine and not a marriage of convenience
• Provides the narrative context that photos, bank statements, and lease agreements cannot convey on their own
• Explains gaps or unusual circumstances in your evidence (long-distance periods, brief cohabitation, prior marriages)
• Shows the case officer that both partners have an authentic, detailed understanding of their shared history

If you and your sponsor's statements contradict each other — even on small details like dates or locations — this can trigger serious credibility concerns and, in some cases, an interview request.

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What to cover

Write your statement chronologically and address all of the following topics. Where possible, include specific dates, locations, and details:

1. How you met — where, when, and the circumstances (include the exact date and location if you remember them)
2. How the relationship developed — key moments, when you became a couple, when you decided to commit long-term
3. Living arrangements — when you first lived together, what addresses you shared, and for how long at each
4. Time spent apart — periods when you lived in different cities or countries, and why
5. How you stayed in contact — method and frequency of communication during periods apart (calls, video calls, messages)
6. Visits to each other — every significant visit, including approximate dates, duration, who bore the cost of travel, and what you did together
7. Day-to-day life together — how you divide household responsibilities, shared routines, interests and activities you enjoy together
8. Financial arrangements — how you manage money together, shared accounts or expenses, financial support across borders
9. Family and social life — how you are involved in each other's families, friends who know you as a couple, social events attended together
10. Significant milestones — engagement, moving in together, major joint decisions (property, pets, travel, family planning)
11. Plans for the future — where you intend to live in Australia, career plans, family intentions, and long-term goals as a couple

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How to structure it

Length: Aim for 3–6 pages (roughly 1,000–2,500 words). Too short signals a lack of genuine history; too long without substance dilutes impact and can frustrate case officers.

Format: Flowing paragraphs work well. You can use subheadings for each topic area to aid readability. Write in the first person ("I met [name] on…").

Tone: Personal, sincere, and factual. Write as you would speak — avoid overly formal or legalistic language. The goal is authenticity, not a legal brief.

Both statements must be independent. You and your sponsor must each write your own statement describing the relationship from your own perspective. The key facts and dates must be consistent, but the wording must be written independently. Statements that are word-for-word identical can appear coached or fabricated and may attract scrutiny.

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Specific guidance for offshore applicants

If you are living in different countries while waiting for the visa, your statement must give extra attention to these areas, because the Department knows that offshore couples have inherently less cohabitation evidence:

• Every visit in detail — include dates, length of stay, who paid for flights and accommodation, and what you experienced together
• Communication patterns — describe the frequency, timing, and method of your contact ("We video call every evening at approximately 9pm my time / 9am in Sydney")
• How you maintain financial ties — remittances, shared savings goals, financial support you provide to each other
• The plan for living together — where you will live in Australia, whether accommodation is arranged, and your timeline for reuniting

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Pro tips

• Be specific about dates and places. "We met in 2019" is weak. "We met on 14 March 2019 at a cooking class in Lisbon" is strong and memorable.
• Cross-reference your documentary evidence. If you have joint bank statements from a shared trip, mention that trip in your statement. The case officer should be able to connect your narrative to your documents.
• Address any unusual aspects proactively. Large age gap, brief marriage before applying, previous divorces, meeting online, never having lived together — explain these honestly in your statement rather than leaving the case officer to wonder.
• Don't skip the long-distance period. For offshore applicants, how you managed separation is central to your case. Describe it in detail.
• Proofread carefully for consistency. Dates, addresses, names, and key facts must match across your statement, your sponsor's statement, and the details entered in your online visa and sponsorship applications in ImmiAccount. Even small inconsistencies can be flagged.
• Start early. A rushed statement shows. Give yourself at least 2–3 weeks to draft, reflect, and refine.

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Common mistakes to avoid

• Vague generalities: "We fell in love and decided to get married" tells the case officer nothing useful about who you are or the history of your relationship
• Skipping the long-distance period: This is often where offshore applications win or lose — don't gloss over it
• Omitting former relationships: If either of you was previously married or in a long-term relationship, acknowledge and briefly address it; unexplained gaps look suspicious
• Copying a template from the internet: A generic statement reads like a generic statement — case officers review hundreds of applications and will notice
• Matching each other's statements word for word: Independent writing is expected; identical text suggests the statements were written by one person or copied from a shared draft

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Strong vs weak examples

Weak: "We met online in 2020 and have been together since. We enjoy spending time together and plan to live in Australia together."

Strong: "We first connected on 3 August 2020 through a language exchange app — I was learning English and [name] was learning Spanish. We began messaging daily within the first week and had our first video call on 12 August 2020. By October we were speaking every evening for at least an hour. [Name] booked a flight and visited me in Medellín from 18 November to 2 December 2020 — our first time meeting in person. During those two weeks, we visited the coffee region together, met my parents, and talked seriously about our future. We both knew immediately the connection we had built online was real. When [name] left, we agreed we were in a committed relationship..."

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How to provide it

• Save your statement as a PDF and upload it through ImmiAccount
• Label the file clearly, for example: Applicant_RelationshipStatement_[YourName].pdf and Sponsor_RelationshipStatement_[SponsorName].pdf
• Upload each statement as a separate document so the case officer can find them easily
• You can upload this document after lodgement if you haven't finished it at the time you pay and submit — but uploading at lodgement is strongly recommended

What this requirement is

Your passport bio page (also called the biodata or personal details page) is the page in your current passport that shows your photo, full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and the passport's issue and expiry dates. For a Partner (Provisional) subclass 309 application, this is a core identity document used to confirm who you are.

The repo visa guide correctly treats this as part of the applicant identity-document set: Home Affairs expects current passport pages showing your photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates.

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Why it matters

Home Affairs uses this page to verify your identity and nationality, and any visa grant is digitally linked to your passport details. If the copy is unclear, incomplete, or does not match the details entered in the application, you can be asked for further documents.

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Exactly what to provide

• A clear colour scan or colour photo of the bio page from your current passport
• Make sure all details are readable, including your photo, name, passport number, issue date, expiry date, and the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the page
• Include the full page with no cut-off edges, glare, heavy shadows, or blur
• If your passport uses more than one page for personal details, include all relevant pages
• If the name on your passport is different from the name used elsewhere in the application, also provide your name-change evidence under the relevant requirement, such as a marriage certificate or change-of-name document

This requirement is for the identity page, not visa pages or entry/exit stamp pages.

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Certification and upload notes

For an online ImmiAccount application, Home Affairs generally accepts uploaded scans of original documents and the application itself tells you what to attach. Keep your own copy of anything you upload, because Home Affairs states you will not be able to access supporting documents from ImmiAccount after upload.

If Home Affairs later asks you for a certified copy or to present an original, follow that specific request. Do not assume extra certification is required unless the application or a case officer asks for it.

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If your passport changes

If you get a new passport after lodging, you need to tell Home Affairs so the application and any granted visa can be linked to the new passport details.

• The quickest method is usually through ImmiAccount: open the application, go to Update details, and use Change of passport details
• Home Affairs also says that if you applied for a partner visa and the application is not visible in ImmiAccount, you should use the New Passport Details web form instead
• Upload the new passport bio page promptly after renewal or replacement

If your passport is close to expiry, renewing it early can reduce the chance that you will need to update your details mid-process, but the key requirement at lodgement is to provide a clear copy of your current passport details page.

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Good practice

• Check that the passport details you enter in the form exactly match the uploaded page
• Use a sharp, well-lit image and review it before uploading
• Keep old passports separately if they help prove travel history or visits relevant to your relationship evidence
• If you hold more than one passport, use the passport you expect to travel on for this requirement and explain any additional passport only if it is relevant

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Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it matters
Uploading the wrong page or only travel-stamp pages	This requirement is for the passport identity page
Submitting a blurry, cropped, or shadowed image	Case officers must be able to read all passport details clearly
Entering passport details in the form that do not match the uploaded page	Mismatches can trigger follow-up requests
Forgetting to update Home Affairs after getting a new passport	The application or visa needs to stay linked to your current passport details
Ignoring a name difference between the passport and other documents	You need separate evidence to connect different names

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Timing

Upload the passport bio page at lodgement if you have it available. If you renew or replace your passport while the application is being processed, update the passport details as soon as practical after the new passport is issued.

What This Requirement Is

For a Partner (Provisional) Subclass 309 application, you should provide overseas police certificates for every country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16.

This is part of the visa character requirement. Home Affairs can also ask for extra character documents after lodgement, such as Form 80, a military record, or other information.

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What To Count

When working out which countries need a certificate:

• Count residence in the last 10 years only
• Only count time since you turned 16
• Include every country where your total residence reached 12 months or more
• Short trips such as holidays usually do not count unless they formed part of living in that country

If you are including dependent family members aged 16 or over, they may also need their own police certificates.

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What To Provide

For each relevant country, provide:

• The correct police certificate or equivalent for that country
• An English translation if the certificate is not in English
• The original-language document together with the translation

If you have served in the armed forces of any country, also provide your military service record or discharge papers if requested or if they are listed in your document checklist.

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How To Get The Right Certificate

Do not assume every country accepts the same type of police check. Home Affairs publishes country-specific instructions through its locations pages.

Use this approach:

1. Make a full address history for the last 10 years since age 16
2. Identify each country where your residence totals 12 months or more
3. Check Home Affairs' country-specific police certificate instructions for each country
4. Apply for the certificate type listed for that country
5. Arrange an English translation if required
6. Upload the certificate and translation to ImmiAccount

If Home Affairs later asks for more information, respond through ImmiAccount within the stated deadline.

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If You Cannot Get A Certificate

Sometimes a certificate is delayed or genuinely unavailable. If that happens:

• Apply as early as possible
• Keep evidence of your attempts, such as receipts, booking confirmations, emails, or rejection letters
• Upload that evidence with a short explanation
• If Home Affairs has given you a deadline, request extra time before the deadline expires if you need it

Do not ignore the requirement because a document is difficult to obtain.

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Disclosing Criminal History

You must answer character questions truthfully and disclose criminal charges or convictions when asked. A criminal record does not automatically mean the visa will be refused, but hiding relevant information can create a much more serious problem.

If you have any convictions, charges, or court outcomes, provide a clear explanation and any supporting court or rehabilitation documents requested by Home Affairs.

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Stage 2 (Subclass 100) Note

At the later permanent stage, Home Affairs may ask for updated or additional police certificates. In particular, be ready to provide certificates for any country where you have lived for 12 months or more since the grant of your subclass 309 visa. You may also be asked for refreshed certificates if earlier ones are no longer current enough by the time the permanent stage is assessed.

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Forgetting a country because you moved several times in the last 10 years
• Ordering the wrong certificate type for that country
• Uploading a non-English certificate without the translation
• Assuming Form 80 is always mandatory at lodgement when it is often requested later only if Home Affairs asks for it
• Waiting until the last minute to start applications for slow-moving countries

Practical Tips

• Start your police certificate applications early, especially if you have lived in more than one country
• Keep a simple timeline of where you lived and for how long
• Check your ImmiAccount document checklist and any later requests carefully
• If older certificates are on file and processing is prolonged, be prepared for Home Affairs to ask for updated ones

What This Requirement Is

Home Affairs can require health examinations for the main applicant, included dependent family members, and in some cases certain non-migrating family members. For a Subclass 309 application, Home Affairs does not treat this requirement as met through a usual GP visit or an applicant's own unrelated medicals.

Home Affairs directs applicants to use the provider it nominates:

• Outside Australia: a Home Affairs-approved panel physician or clinic
• In Australia: Bupa Medical Visa Services

According to Home Affairs, results from non-approved providers are not accepted for the immigration health requirement.

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Why It Matters

Home Affairs cannot finalise the health requirement until all required examinations and any follow-up assessments are complete. If examinations are missing, incomplete, or expired, your visa decision can be delayed and you may be asked to repeat them at your own cost.

A panel physician does not decide whether you meet the health requirement. The clinic submits the results and recommendation to Home Affairs, and the case may be assessed further by a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth.

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What the Examination Usually Includes

The exact examinations are generated from your HAP ID and can vary based on factors such as your age, country profile, medical history, pregnancy, and intended work or study.

Common components can include:

• Medical examination
• Chest X-ray for applicants aged 11 years and over
• Blood tests where the generated health case requires them
• Further tests or specialist reports if something needs follow-up

Important correction: do not assume that HIV and hepatitis B testing are routine for every Subclass 309 applicant. For example, Home Affairs panel instructions currently auto-add hepatitis B testing for provisional and permanent visa applicants aged 15 or over who were born in a high hepatitis B risk country, and add hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing for certain applicants intending to work as, or study to become, a doctor, dentist, nurse, or paramedic. Your actual required tests come from the HAP-generated referral.

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How to Obtain It

1. Get a HAP ID. Usually this happens after you apply in ImmiAccount. If your visa subclass is available in My Health Declarations (MHD), you might be able to obtain a HAP ID before lodging and do the examinations upfront.
2. Book with the correct provider. Outside Australia, use the panel physician search tool. In Australia, book with Bupa Medical Visa Services.
3. Bring your HAP ID and passport to the appointment. Bring relevant medical reports, prescriptions, or prior specialist letters if they relate to your health history.
4. Complete all examinations listed on the referral. Some applicants finish in one visit; others need separate pathology, radiology, or follow-up appointments.
5. Wait for electronic submission. The clinic submits results through eMedical. You do not normally upload medical results yourself.
6. Check status and respond to follow-up. If Home Affairs or the clinic requests more information or testing, complete it promptly.

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Timing

• Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months
• If you do them too early and processing takes longer, you may need to repeat them
• Upfront examinations are not available for every visa subclass through MHD
• Home Affairs recommends checking current visa processing times before deciding to do examinations upfront

For most applicants, the safe rule is: use the HAP process Home Affairs provides, and avoid doing medicals early unless your subclass is available in MHD and the timing makes sense.

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Costs

You pay the clinic directly. Home Affairs does not publish a single fixed fee for Subclass 309 health examinations.

• Costs vary by country, clinic, and the examinations required
• Included family members who must complete examinations will usually each have their own fee
• Follow-up testing can increase the total cost

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Practical Tips

• Do not book without the correct HAP ID unless the clinic specifically tells you how to proceed
• Tell the clinic if you are pregnant before any chest X-ray is arranged
• Bring relevant medical records if you have a known condition, prior TB history, or current treatment
• Do not assume another applicant's test list will match yours
• Check ImmiAccount or eMedical Client after the appointment to confirm the examinations were submitted
• Do not ignore requests about non-migrating family members if Home Affairs later says they also need health examinations

What is Form 888?

Form 888 is the Department of Home Affairs Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application. It is completed by a third-party witness who knows both the applicant and the partner or fiance(e), and knows the history of the relationship.

Its purpose is to help Home Affairs assess the social aspects of the claimed relationship. It is supporting evidence only: it does not replace the applicant's own evidence, the sponsor's evidence, or the sponsor's separate Commonwealth statutory declaration required for the permanent stage.

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What the current form actually requires

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

• be at least 18 years of age
• 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 documentary evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency, where applicable

The form also states that Home Affairs may contact the witness for further comment and/or interview.

Important: The current Form 888 (design date 11/24) is a signed supporting statement. It does not contain an authorised-witness section, so do not add outdated instructions about a JP, notary, or pharmacist witnessing the form unless Home Affairs specifically asks for something different.

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Who should complete it

Choose witnesses who genuinely know your relationship and can give specific first-hand observations. Strong witnesses are usually people who have spent meaningful time with you as a couple and can explain what they have personally seen over time.

Useful witnesses can include:

• close friends
• family members of either partner
• colleagues or community members who know you socially
• people who have seen you together during visits, holidays, family events, or periods of cohabitation

Avoid witnesses who:

• know only one of you and cannot speak about the relationship itself
• barely know you as a couple
• can offer only generic praise without examples
• are likely to submit a form written by someone else rather than in their own words

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How many to provide

For Partner visa applications, applicants commonly provide at least 2 detailed Form 888 statements, and some include more where genuinely helpful. At the same time, the current form says you may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during processing.

The practical point is quality, not padding the file with repetitive forms. A smaller number of detailed, credible statements is better than a stack of vague ones.

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What each witness should cover

The form itself asks the witness to state:

1. How they know the applicant and how long they have known them
2. How they know the partner or fiance(e) and how long they have known them
3. How they know the couple together and how often they have been in contact with them
4. Whether they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing, and their reasons for that belief
5. Any other matters they want to add in support of the application

Strong statements usually include concrete details such as:

• when and where the witness met each partner
• visits, holidays, meals, family events, or day-to-day interactions they observed
• what they have seen about the couple's commitment, plans, and how they present socially as a couple
• how their observations fit over time, not just on one occasion

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How to prepare and submit it

Step 1 — Download the current form

Use the latest Form 888 from the Department of Home Affairs website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/888.pdf.

Step 2 — Ask the witness to complete it in English

The form says it should be typed in the fields provided or printed and completed in English using a pen and block letters.

Step 3 — Make sure the witness attaches their evidence

The current form specifically asks whether the witness has attached evidence of identity. They should attach the identity and status documents required by the form.

Step 4 — The witness signs and dates the form

The witness should sign only after reviewing the form carefully. The form warns that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence.

Step 5 — Upload it to ImmiAccount

Once completed, the applicant or their representative can attach the form to the Partner visa application in ImmiAccount.

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Timing and updates

• Try to use forms that are reasonably current and reflect the relationship close to lodgement
• Give witnesses enough time to write properly and gather their identity/status evidence
• If you later need updated relationship evidence for the permanent stage, use fresh witness material that covers the more recent period of the relationship

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Pro tips

• Use witnesses from different parts of your life. A mix from both partners' social circles is usually more persuasive than statements from only one side.
• Prioritise direct observation. For offshore couples, witnesses who have actually seen you together in person during visits can be especially helpful.
• Do not ghost-write the form. The witness should complete it in their own words. You can explain what the form is for, but the content must be theirs.
• Make the attachments complete. An otherwise good form can be weakened if the witness forgets to attach the identity or status evidence requested by the form.
• Do not confuse this with Stage 2 sponsor evidence. Form 888 is supporting evidence only and does not replace the sponsor's separate Commonwealth statutory declaration for the subclass 100 stage.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it matters
Using witnesses who barely know the couple	Weak, generic statements add little value
Leaving out the witness's identity or status documents	The current form specifically asks for this evidence
Following old instructions that say the form must be witnessed by a JP or notary	The current Home Affairs form does not contain an authorised-witness section
Uploading outdated or thin statements with no concrete examples	Specific first-hand observations are far more useful
Treating Form 888 as a substitute for your own declarations or Stage 2 sponsor evidence	It supports the application but does not replace other required relationship evidence

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Legal warning

The current form warns that, under section 234(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958, making a false statement in connection with a visa application is an offence. Witnesses should write honestly, accurately, and keep a copy of the statement and attachments for their records.

What is ImmiAccount?

ImmiAccount is the Department of Home Affairs' online portal for visa applications. For a Partner (Provisional) Subclass 309 application, you use it to start the application, upload documents, pay the visa application charge, monitor progress, and receive correspondence from Home Affairs.

For partner visas, Home Affairs says you must apply online using ImmiAccount. A paper application is only possible in limited cases and only if Home Affairs has invited you to apply by paper. If you lodge by paper without an invitation, the application will generally be invalid.

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Why it matters

Without access to ImmiAccount, you cannot properly manage a standard Subclass 309 application. Home Affairs uses it to:

• receive your visa application
• accept supporting documents
• send requests for more information
• issue your acknowledgement and later decision
• let you start the later Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment when eligible

Keeping access to your account is important because partner visa processing can continue for years.

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Who should have an account

The applicant should have access to their own ImmiAccount and use their own contact details where possible. Home Affairs specifically says applicants should provide their own phone number and email address because the Department may need to contact them directly.

The sponsor will also usually need ImmiAccount access to lodge the separate online sponsorship application, Sponsorship for a Partner to Migrate to Australia, after the applicant has lodged and can provide the application ID / TRN.

If a migration agent, lawyer, friend, or family member is helping, ImmiAccount can be shared with another account, but the applicant should still make sure they can access messages about their own case.

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How to create your ImmiAccount

1. Go to https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login
2. Select Create ImmiAccount
3. Set up the account using an email address you check regularly
4. Keep your username, password, and multi-factor authentication access secure
5. Log in and confirm your contact details are correct before you start the application

If you later change your email address or phone number, update it in ImmiAccount as soon as possible.

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Starting the visa application

Once logged in:

1. Select New application
2. Choose Family
3. Select Stage 1 - Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa
4. Complete the form, save your progress as needed, and upload documents through the application record

Home Affairs may update menu wording over time, so follow the current ImmiAccount labels if they differ slightly.

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What you can do in ImmiAccount

• lodge the Stage 1 application
• pay the visa application charge
• upload documents at lodgement and later if requested or if you are still gathering evidence
• find your application ID / TRN to give to your sponsor
• check messages and requests from Home Affairs
• view your lodgement date, which is important for later Stage 2 eligibility
• start Stage 2 yourself after 2 years have passed, if required

For health examinations, Home Affairs says you can complete them after you apply, and ImmiAccount is the place where you manage application updates and related identifiers.

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Practical tips

• Create the account early. Do not leave account setup until the day you want to lodge.
• Use contact details you control. This is especially important for partner visa applicants.
• Check ImmiAccount regularly. Do not rely only on email alerts.
• Keep copies of key records. Save your acknowledgement, payment receipt, and later decision letters.
• If you hit an upload limit or have a technical problem, use the relevant Home Affairs online support or document-attachment form rather than assuming extra documents cannot be provided.
• Protect account access. If your relationship has broken down or there are safety concerns, Home Affairs has specific processes for partner visa applicants to remove or transfer application access.

What This Requirement Is

Your Stage 2 (Subclass 100) eligibility date is normally 2 years after the date you originally lodged your combined offshore partner application. It is calculated from the original 309/100 lodgement date, not from the date your Subclass 309 was granted.

This date matters because it is the point at which you can usually start the permanent-stage assessment in ImmiAccount.

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How to Find the Date

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
2. Open your partner visa application
3. Find the original lodgement date or application date
4. Count forward exactly 2 years
5. Record that date in this app and in your own calendar

Example: If your application was lodged on 15 March 2024, the Stage 2 eligibility date is 15 March 2026.

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What to Do When the Date Arrives

If you hold a temporary Subclass 309 visa and 2 years have passed since you first applied, the Department says you are eligible for consideration of the permanent partner visa stage. The current online process is:

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

Your Application ID is usually shown in Department correspondence, including the acknowledgement letter and visa grant correspondence.

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Evidence to Prepare for Stage 2

Stage 2 is about showing that your relationship has remained genuine and continuing since the original application. Prepare updated evidence covering the period since lodgement, such as:

• A Commonwealth statutory declaration from the sponsor addressing the ongoing relationship
• Updated relationship evidence across the usual areas of the relationship, such as finances, household arrangements, social recognition, and commitment
• Updated witness declarations, including Form 888 if appropriate
• Updated identity documents if details have changed
• Information about major changes in circumstances, such as address changes or children
• Any police certificates or other documents the Department asks for, or updated character documents if your circumstances have changed

Do not rely only on the documents you gave at Stage 1. The permanent-stage assessment generally needs evidence showing what happened during the waiting period.

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Good Practice

• Set reminders well before the 2-year date so you have time to organise updated evidence
• Keep a folder of relationship evidence as you go, rather than trying to recreate 2 years of history later
• Check ImmiAccount and official Home Affairs guidance if the online menu labels change

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Important Notes

• The permanent-stage process is tied to the original lodgement date, not the 309 grant date
• If your relationship has ended, your sponsor has died, or family violence is involved, different rules may apply and you should get tailored advice promptly
• Requirements and online steps can change, so confirm the current process in ImmiAccount and on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging Stage 2

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If your circumstances are unusual or have changed materially, get advice from a registered migration agent before taking action.