What is the 801 visa?

The subclass 801 is the permanent residence stage of the onshore partner visa. It follows the temporary subclass 820, roughly two years after the original combined application was lodged. You do not lodge or pay again — when the Department invites you, you provide updated evidence that the relationship has continued.

What is on the 801 visa second-stage checklist?

The 801 second-stage checklist asks for updated evidence across the same four relationship pillars assessed at the 820 stage — financial, household, social, and commitment — covering the period since the 820 was granted. Wait for the Department’s request in ImmiAccount before submitting; sending 801 evidence early, before it is invited, is a common mistake.

What are the 801 visa requirements?

To be granted the subclass 801 you generally need to still hold the subclass 820, still be in a genuine and continuing relationship with the same sponsor, and meet the character requirements. The relationship must have continued to the permanent stage. Some applicants — for example where the relationship is long-standing or there are children — may have the 801 assessed sooner, but those exceptions are narrow.

When can I apply for the 801 second stage, and how do I start it?

Eligibility for the permanent subclass 801 is generally measured from when you first lodged the combined 820/801 application — usually about two years after that lodgement date, not two years after the 820 was granted. You do not lodge a new application or pay a second fee. When the time comes, the Department of Home Affairs invites you to provide updated evidence; in ImmiAccount this is typically done by logging in and completing the Stage 2 permanent partner visa assessment for your existing application. Follow the Department’s invitation or the Stage 2 task in ImmiAccount before submitting second-stage evidence, and confirm your eligibility date and the current steps in ImmiAccount. A narrow set of long-standing relationships can be assessed for the 801 sooner, but those exceptions are limited.

What happens to an 820 or 801 partner visa if the relationship breaks down?

A partner visa generally depends on the relationship continuing to the permanent 801 stage, so if the relationship ends before a decision the Department of Home Affairs expects you to tell it — notifying a relationship cessation is a condition of the visa — because the visa can be affected. There are, however, limited provisions that can allow the permanent visa to still be granted despite the relationship ending: where there has been family violence by the sponsoring partner (against you or a member of your family unit), where the sponsor has died (and you would have met the requirements but for the death and have developed close ties in Australia), or where you and your former sponsor have a child of the relationship and you have joint custody of, or access to, that child. In each case the Department must first be satisfied the relationship was genuine before it ended. These provisions are specific and evidence-based, and family-violence claims in particular follow a defined process. Because the outcome turns entirely on your circumstances and the current regulations, do not rely on other people’s outcomes — notify the Department and get advice from a registered migration agent, or contact a family-violence support service if you are affected. This is general information, not legal advice.

My partner visa was refused and I appealed to the Tribunal — what happens at the hearing?

A review hearing is generally conducted by a Tribunal member who explains the process, asks questions, and gives you an opportunity to present information relevant to the review. The exact questions cannot be predicted because they depend on the reasons for refusal, the evidence, and the issues the Tribunal must decide. A sensible starting point is to read the refusal decision and the Tribunal’s documents carefully, identify each issue raised, and organise current evidence that directly addresses those points; the Tribunal says you may provide new information supporting your case, and its procedures vary with the type of decision under review. Follow every deadline and direction in the Tribunal’s correspondence, and arrange an interpreter or other support early if needed. Because a refused partner visa under review turns on its specific evidence, consider advice from a registered migration agent. This is general information, not legal advice.

Australia · Subclass 801

Your partner visa, organised.

Subclass 801 — Partner (Permanent) checklist

The permanent stage of the onshore Australian partner visa. About two years after the combined 820/801 application is lodged, the Department reviews updated relationship evidence and, if satisfied, grants the permanent subclass 801.

Start your Subclass 801 checklist Jump to the categories →

Last verified · May 2026Framed against Department of Home Affairs guidanceNot legal advice — organisation only

Why it feels so hard

The hard part isn’t the form — it’s the evidence.

Is our relationship evidence actually enough?

The Department weighs four pillars — financial, household, social, and commitment. It’s hard to know which one is thin until a case officer tells you.

Did we miss a form or a declaration?

Form 888 statutory declarations, identity documents, police checks — small omissions are what stall a partner application for months.

Are we organising it the way they read it?

A folder of screenshots isn’t an application. Evidence has to map to the categories the decision-maker actually assesses.

What the subclass 801 partner visa is

The subclass 801 is the permanent residence stage of the onshore partner visa. It follows the temporary subclass 820 — there is no separate application and no second Department of Home Affairs charge, because the combined 820/801 fee was paid at the start. Around two years after the original lodgement date, the Department invites you to provide updated evidence and, if it is satisfied the relationship has continued, grants the subclass 801 — permanent residency.

When the 801 stage opens

Approximately two years from the date you lodged the combined application, the Department contacts you in ImmiAccount to request updated relationship evidence for the permanent stage. You should wait for that request before submitting anything: sending 801-stage evidence before it is invited is a common mistake. Some applicants — for example where the relationship is long-standing or there are children — may have the 801 assessed sooner, but those exceptions are narrow.

How the 801 second-stage checklist is organised

The subclass 801 checklist asks for updated evidence across the same four relationship pillars assessed at the 820 stage — financial aspects, the nature of the household, social aspects, and the nature of commitment — covering the period since the 820 was granted, alongside current identity, character, and statutory-declaration documents. The aim is to show the relationship is continuing, not to rebuild the whole bundle from scratch.

What permanent residence on the 801 gives you

The subclass 801 is a permanent visa. Once it is granted you can live in Australia indefinitely, work and study without restriction, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives, and — once you meet the residence requirement — apply for Australian citizenship. The visa carries a travel facility that lets you leave and re-enter Australia for five years from grant; to keep travelling after that you apply for a Resident Return Visa. The temporary subclass 820 that precedes it is exactly that — temporary — so the 801 is the point at which the onshore partner pathway becomes permanent.

Your status while you wait

You do not lose your rights between the two stages. You continue to hold the temporary subclass 820 — with full work and study rights and Medicare access — right up until the permanent 801 is decided, so there is no gap to bridge while the Department reviews your second-stage evidence. If your relationship details change before the decision — a new address, a child, a change in finances — keep documenting them; the 801 is assessed on the relationship as it stands at decision time.

Common pitfalls

Submitting 801 evidence before the Department invites it.
A gap in the evidence timeline between the 820 grant and the 801 request.
Letting police checks lapse before the permanent decision is made.
Assuming the 801 is automatic — it is a fresh assessment of continuing commitment.

For your specific situation, refer to the Department of Home Affairs and a registered migration agent (MARA-registered). The information above is organisational, not legal advice.

At a glance

Headline numbers for Subclass 801.

Application fee: $0
Processing time: 12-18 months (after 2-year wait)
Visa type: Permanent
Categories: 12
Requirements tracked: 54
Authority: DHA

Fees and processing times are the headline figures published by Department of Home Affairs, retrieved May 2026. Individual applications routinely take longer; these figures are not a guarantee. Always confirm the live figure on the authority’s site.

Collection categories

What you lodge — organised the way the application reads.

ReRooted groups the Subclass 801 requirements into 12 collection categories. Each card below shows the category, what it covers, and how many requirements sit inside it.

01
Pre-Application Eligibility
Checks to confirm you are eligible for the Stage 2 permanent partner visa
3 requirements
02
Sponsor Eligibility
Sponsor requirements for the Stage 2 permanent visa assessment
2 requirements
03
Financial Aspects
Evidence showing how you and your partner share finances and financial responsibilities
6 requirements
04
Nature of Household
Evidence of your shared living arrangements and domestic life
6 requirements
05
Social Aspects
Evidence that your relationship is recognized by friends, family, and the community
6 requirements
06
Nature of Commitment
Evidence demonstrating your mutual commitment to a shared life together
7 requirements
07
Identity Documents
Proof of identity for applicant and sponsor
6 requirements
08
Character Requirements
Police clearances and character assessments
5 requirements
09
Health Requirements
Medical examinations and health clearances
4 requirements
10
Statutory Declarations
Form 888 and other formal declarations supporting your relationship
4 requirements
11
Lodgement & Payment
Stage 2 assessment preparation and response tracking
2 requirements
12
Post-Grant
Important steps and obligations after your permanent visa is granted
3 requirements

Sample guidance

The first item in every category — guidance included, free.

Each Subclass 801 category opens with full preparation guidance — what applicants commonly include and how to organise it — with no account needed. Start tracking to see the guidance for every requirement.

Pre-Application Eligibility

Two-year eligibility date confirmed

Included free

What This Requirement Is

The Subclass 801 permanent partner visa generally cannot be granted until about two years have elapsed since your original combined Subclass 820/801 application was lodged. This waiting period gives Home Affairs time to assess whether your relationship has remained genuine and continuing over time — not just at the point of initial application.

Your two-year eligibility date is calculated from the date your original 820/801 application was lodged in ImmiAccount — not from when the Subclass 820 visa was granted. These two dates can differ significantly, so count from lodgement, not from grant.

According to Home Affairs: Where you hold a temporary Subclass 820 visa, Home Affairs generally considers the permanent Subclass 801 only after two years have passed since you first applied, unless an exception applies.

Why It Matters

Getting this date wrong creates avoidable Stage 2 delays:

Submitting Stage 2 evidence before your two-year eligibility date will not speed up the permanent-stage assessment under the standard pathway
Waiting too long after your eligibility date to start Stage 2 can delay permanent residency unnecessarily
Home Affairs may contact you if further documents are needed, but you should not rely on receiving a prompt exactly when the two-year date arrives
Missing a Home Affairs request for evidence and failing to respond within the stated timeframe can result in the application being decided on the information already available

How to Find Your Eligibility Date

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Locate your original 820/801 application in your applications list
Note the lodgement date — this is the date your eligibility clock started (not the 820 grant date)
Add exactly two years to the lodgement date — this is your earliest Stage 2 eligibility date

Example: If your 820/801 application was lodged on 3 May 2023, your two-year eligibility date is 3 May 2025.

Record this date somewhere reliable. Set a reminder 4–6 weeks before your eligibility date so you have time to compile updated evidence before initiating Stage 2.

How to Initiate Stage 2

Once your two-year eligibility date has arrived (or passed):

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Select "New application" → "Family"
Select "Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)"
Complete the online form using your original Application ID from your acknowledgement-of-receipt or grant correspondence
Upload your updated relationship evidence and any other requested documents
Respond to any Home Affairs requests within the specified timeframe

Also watch for requests from Home Affairs: If Home Affairs needs further documents for your Subclass 801 application, it will let you know. Even so, eligible applicants can initiate the Stage 2 assessment themselves through ImmiAccount once the two-year point has passed.

Exceptions to the Two-Year Wait

You may be eligible for the Subclass 801 to be assessed before the two-year mark if, at the time you lodged your 820/801 application:

Exception	Requirement
Long-term relationship	Your relationship had already lasted 3 or more years at lodgement
Relationship 2+ years with a child	Your relationship had lasted 2 or more years AND you have a dependent child of the relationship

Additional exceptions in special circumstances:

Death of sponsor: If your sponsoring partner dies after the Subclass 820 stage, you may still be eligible for the permanent visa
Family violence: If the relationship breaks down because the sponsor committed family or domestic violence, you may still be eligible for the Subclass 801 under the family violence provisions
Sponsor held a specified visa: In some cases Home Affairs may grant the permanent visa in less than two years and will advise you if that applies

If you believe an exception applies, gather supporting evidence now — for example, documents establishing when the relationship began or evidence about the child or other qualifying circumstances — and raise this when you prepare the permanent-stage assessment.

What Evidence Stage 2 Requires

Confirming your eligibility date is only the first step. Once the two-year mark arrives, you will need fresh evidence covering the waiting period — not simply a resubmission of Stage 1 documents. Updated evidence commonly includes:

Updated relationship evidence across the four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment)
New or updated Form 888 statutory declarations from witnesses who can speak to your relationship during the waiting period
A sponsor statutory declaration (separate from Form 888)
Updated identity documents if anything has changed (for example, passport details or name)
Police certificates if requested or if current instructions for your application require updated checks
Evidence of any changes in circumstances (new address, children, passport changes, employment changes)

Start collecting this updated evidence throughout the waiting period rather than leaving it all until Stage 2.

Pro Tips

Count from lodgement, not grant. The two-year clock starts when the combined application was lodged.
Do not assume Home Affairs will remind you at the right time. Monitor ImmiAccount yourself and be ready to start Stage 2 once eligible.
Keep collecting evidence throughout the wait. New joint financial records, housing records, travel evidence, and social evidence all help show the relationship has continued.
Monitor ImmiAccount regularly in the lead-up to your eligibility date in case Home Affairs sends a request for information.
Initiate Stage 2 promptly once eligible and once you can provide a complete, well-organised set of updated evidence.
If circumstances have changed (relationship breakdown, separation, sponsor death, or family violence), check the official guidance and consider advice from a registered migration agent before proceeding.

Key Contacts and Resources

ImmiAccount (confirm your lodgement date): online.immi.gov.au
Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner Processing Enquiry Form: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form
Home Affairs general enquiries (in Australia): 131 881
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au

Exception eligibility check
What This Requirement Is The standard rule for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is that it is considered about 2 years after your original combined…
Relationship still genuine and continuing
What This Requirement Is For the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa, Home Affairs lists continuing to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same person who…

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Sponsor Eligibility

Sponsor approval still valid

Included free

What This Requirement Is

For the Subclass 801 stage, you do not lodge a new partner sponsorship application. The sponsorship from the original 820/801 application continues into the permanent-stage assessment.

This requirement is about checking that the original sponsor is still the relevant sponsor for the application and that Home Affairs has not been told something that changes how the permanent stage should be assessed.

Official position: Home Affairs says a sponsor can withdraw sponsorship any time before it decides the permanent Partner visa application. Home Affairs also says some applications can still continue if the relationship has ended, including certain cases involving family violence, death of the sponsor, or where there is a child of the relationship and shared access and parental responsibility.

Why It Matters

At Stage 2, sponsor issues usually matter because they affect how Home Affairs will assess the permanent visa application:

If the sponsor has withdrawn sponsorship, Home Affairs will consider that information before deciding the 801
If the relationship has ended, the application does not automatically fail, but the applicant may need to rely on a specific provision and provide further information
If Home Affairs asks for updated sponsor information or documents, delays or non-response can slow the application or leave it to be decided on the material already available

What Usually Means the Sponsorship Is Still Current

In practical terms, the sponsorship is usually still current where:

The same person who sponsored the original 820/801 application is still the relevant sponsor
The sponsor has not withdrawn sponsorship
There has been no notification to Home Affairs that the relationship has ended, or if it has ended, the applicant is pursuing an applicable pathway such as family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship provisions
The sponsor is still willing to cooperate with the permanent-stage process, including providing any documents Home Affairs asks for

Avoid assuming there is a separate "renewal" or fresh approval step for sponsorship at the 801 stage. The issue is usually whether anything has happened since Stage 1 that changes the way Home Affairs must assess the application.

What Can Affect This Requirement

Sponsor Withdrawal

Home Affairs says a sponsor can withdraw sponsorship any time before the permanent Partner visa application is decided.

To do this, the sponsor should use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form and include a statement that they withdraw sponsorship from the Partner visa application.

Important: Simply removing access to ImmiAccount or becoming uncooperative is not the same thing as a formal withdrawal, although it can still create practical problems if Home Affairs needs sponsor material.

Relationship Breakdown or Change

If the relationship has ended or changed, this should be notified through the proper Home Affairs channel.

Official guidance says there may still be circumstances where the permanent Partner visa application can continue despite the relationship ending, including:

family violence by the sponsoring partner
death of the sponsoring partner
a child of the relationship with shared access and parental responsibility

These are exception pathways, not routine cases. They usually require prompt notification and extra evidence.

Sponsor Cooperation at Stage 2

For many 801 applications, the sponsor will still need to help with Stage 2 evidence, especially the sponsor's Commonwealth statutory declaration and any additional documents requested by Home Affairs.

A sponsor refusing to cooperate does not automatically prove the application must fail, but it is a serious issue because it can leave gaps in the evidence or indicate that the relationship has changed.

How to Check It in Practice

There is no separate Home Affairs document called a "sponsorship validity certificate." A sensible check is:

Review ImmiAccount and Home Affairs messages for any request, warning, or update about the relationship or sponsorship
Confirm whether the sponsor has withdrawn sponsorship or told Home Affairs the relationship has ended
Confirm the sponsor is still willing to provide Stage 2 material, especially the sponsor statutory declaration
Check whether any special circumstance applies if the relationship has ended, such as family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship provisions

If the sponsor is an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen and Home Affairs asks for updated status evidence, provide it. If the sponsor is an Australian citizen, VEVO is not relevant.

If the Relationship Has Broken Down

If the relationship has ended, do not assume the case is over, but do not assume it can continue unchanged either.

Family violence: the applicant may still be eligible for the permanent visa under the family violence provisions
Death of sponsor: the applicant may still be eligible under the death-of-sponsor provisions
Child of the relationship: the application may still continue in some circumstances where there is a child of the relationship and shared access and parental responsibility
Reconciliation: if the relationship has recommenced after a previous breakdown, Home Affairs says this should be reported using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form with statutory declarations from both parties and identity evidence

If family violence is involved: Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Home Affairs also has a dedicated family violence guidance page.

The Sponsor's Stage 2 Declaration

At the 801 stage, Home Affairs expects updated relationship material. In practice, that commonly includes a Commonwealth statutory declaration from the sponsor addressing the ongoing relationship.

That declaration helps show that:

the relationship is still genuine and continuing, or
if the relationship has changed, what the relevant circumstances are

This is different from Form 888, which is for supporting witness statements.

Pro Tips

Do not treat this as a fresh sponsorship application. The main question is whether anything has changed since Stage 1.
Check for a formal withdrawal first. That is one of the clearest ways this requirement can become problematic.
If the relationship has changed, use the correct Home Affairs process promptly. Delay can create avoidable complications.
Do not overstate VEVO. It can help only where the sponsor actually holds a visa status that VEVO can show; it does not verify Australian citizenship.
Get tailored advice for exception cases. Family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship cases are fact-sensitive.

Key Resources

Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
Partner Processing Enquiry Form: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form
About partner visas / relationship cessation information: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/programs-subsite/Pages/family-migration/about-partner-visas.aspx
Family violence provisions: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/domestic-family-violence-and-your-visa/family-violence-provisions
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Home Affairs general enquiries (Australia): 131 881

Updated sponsor police certificates
What This Requirement Is Sponsors are generally expected to provide their Australian and any foreign police checks when they first submit the partner…

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Financial Aspects

Joint bank account statements

Included free

What This Requirement Is

Joint bank account statements are a common and persuasive way to show the financial aspects of your relationship for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa. They help demonstrate that you and your partner share money, pay for things as a couple, and manage parts of your life together financially.

For the Stage 2 permanent visa assessment, your evidence should show the relationship has continued since the original 820/801 lodgement. For bank statements, that usually means providing statements that cover the waiting period as fully as you reasonably can, especially the more recent period before Stage 2.

Official context: The visa guide for this project lists joint bank account statements (showing regular use by both partners) as an example of financial evidence. Financial aspects are one of the four relationship areas Home Affairs considers when assessing whether a relationship is genuine and continuing.

Why It Matters

Bank statements are useful because they come from an independent third party and can show real day-to-day financial behaviour over time.

Strong statements can help show:

you both use the account, not just one partner
the account is used for ordinary shared expenses
your financial arrangements are consistent with the rest of your evidence

Weak financial evidence can create doubts, especially if the account appears newly opened, rarely used, or disconnected from the rest of your relationship evidence.

What to Provide

If you have a joint account, provide statements that clearly show:

both names as account holders
the statement period and account details
regular use of the account
transactions that fit a shared life, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, travel, or other household spending

There is no single fixed number of statements that suits every case. The safer approach is to provide enough statements to show ongoing use over time, not just a short snapshot.

If the account was opened after your original lodgement, provide statements from when it was opened onwards and explain that timing briefly in your personal statement or other relationship statement.

If You Do Not Have a Joint Account

A joint account is helpful, but it is not the only way to prove financial interdependence. If you keep separate accounts, explain that clearly and support it with other financial evidence, such as:

transfer records between your accounts for shared expenses
bills, lease, mortgage, or insurance records showing how expenses are divided or shared
evidence of major joint purchases
a written explanation of how you manage finances as a couple

Key point: The issue is not whether you have a joint account. The issue is whether your overall evidence shows a genuine shared financial life.

How to Prepare the Evidence

Download the statements for the relevant period from your bank or request them from the bank if older records are not available online.
Keep the statements in a clear, legible format, preferably the bank's original PDF statements where available.
Organise them in date order.
If there are long gaps, unusual inactivity, or a recent account opening date, add a short explanation.
Upload them with a descriptive file name so the case officer can identify the document quickly.

What Case Officers Are Likely Looking For

Regular use over time rather than a dormant account
Participation by both partners rather than one person doing everything
Shared expenses that fit your claimed living arrangements
Consistency with your other evidence, such as your lease, utility bills, insurance, and written statements

A joint account that is genuinely used over time is usually much more persuasive than an account that exists only on paper.

Common Issues to Avoid

providing only a very short run of statements with no broader context
uploading incomplete or illegible pages
relying on a joint account that shows little or no real activity
submitting statements that do not match the address, timeline, or financial story shown elsewhere in the application
failing to explain why you do not have a joint account, if that is your situation

Stronger and Weaker Examples

Situation	Assessment
Statements showing an established joint account used by both partners for shared living costs over time	Strong
Statements from a recently opened joint account with minimal activity and no explanation	Weak
Separate accounts supported by transfer records, shared bills, and a clear explanation of your arrangement	Acceptable
No meaningful financial evidence and no explanation	Risky

What Else to Include Alongside Statements

Joint bank statements are strongest when they are supported by other financial evidence mentioned in the visa guide, such as:

joint lease, rental agreement, mortgage, or loan documents
utility bills at a shared address
joint credit card accounts if you have them
receipts for major joint purchases
joint insurance policies
tax records or superannuation beneficiary nominations that support the same relationship picture

Key Resources

ImmiAccount: online.immi.gov.au
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner visa guide for this project: visa-guides/australia-partner-820-801.md
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au

Joint loan or mortgage documents
What This Requirement Is Joint loan or mortgage documents are one form of evidence for the Financial Aspects of your relationship. Home Affairs lists joint…
Joint utility accounts
What This Requirement Is Joint utility accounts are household bills or service accounts at your shared address, such as electricity, gas, water, internet, or…
Joint insurance policies
What This Requirement Is Joint insurance policies are one possible form of evidence for the Financial Aspects of your relationship. Examples can include home…
Evidence of shared expenses
What This Requirement Is For partner visas, Home Affairs assesses the financial aspects of the relationship as one of the four relationship areas. Evidence of…
Joint tax returns or financial declarations
What This Requirement Is Despite the title, Australia does not have joint income tax returns. Each person lodges their own tax return. For this requirement,…

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Nature of Household

Proof of shared residence

Included free

What this requirement is

Proof of shared residence sits within Nature of the Household, one of the four relationship evidence areas used for Partner visa assessments. The aim is to show that you and your partner have genuinely lived together, or if you have spent time apart, that you were not living separately and apart on a permanent basis and can explain the reason for the separation.

Home Affairs examples for this area include:

Household bills in both names
Mail or emails addressed to you both
Documents that prove your living arrangements
Documents showing joint responsibility for children
A statement about how you share housework

For de facto applicants, this evidence is especially important because it helps prove the required de facto relationship period before lodgement. It is not limited to one document type, and it is not enough to rely only on photos or informal statements.

What to provide

Aim to provide a small set of consistent documents from different sources covering the period you say you have lived together.

Stronger evidence

Joint lease or tenancy agreement
Joint mortgage documents
Utility bills at the shared address
Council rates notices for the home you live in
Real estate agent or landlord correspondence confirming both occupants
Government or bank correspondence showing each partner at the same residential address

Useful supporting evidence

Mail or emails addressed to both of you at the same address
Documents showing joint responsibility for children at that address
Pet registration or vet records showing the same shared address
A signed statement from you and your partner explaining your living arrangements and how household responsibilities are shared
Statements from friends, family, landlord, or housemates who have direct knowledge of your living arrangements

If your evidence is not straightforward

Only one partner is named on the lease or bills

That is common and does not automatically weaken the application. Add supporting evidence showing the other partner also lived there, such as:

Mail addressed to them at the same residence
A landlord or property manager letter
Bank or government correspondence to that address
A short explanation in your relationship statement

You lived with family or friends

Provide a statement or statutory declaration from the homeowner or primary tenant, plus independent mail or account records showing both of you at that address.

You spent periods apart for work, study, family, or visa reasons

Explain the dates and reason clearly. Shared residence evidence can still be accepted if the overall evidence shows the relationship continued and you were not permanently separated.

Practical tips

Use documents from different sources, not just one provider
Make sure the address and dates line up across your evidence
Include evidence across the full claimed cohabitation period, not only the most recent month or two
If a document is only in one name, include something else that ties the other partner to the same address
Keep a brief written explanation ready for any gap, move, or unusual arrangement

Common mistakes

Uploading only photos of the home or photos of the couple
Providing only one recent bill and no evidence for the earlier period
Relying entirely on self-written statements without third-party documents
Ignoring address inconsistencies across lease, bills, bank statements, and other records
Waiting until Stage 2 to start collecting evidence

Stage 2 (subclass 801)

For the permanent stage, Home Affairs may ask for updated relationship evidence after the two-year point. Keep saving fresh shared-residence documents after lodgement, such as lease renewals, newer bills, and updated correspondence, so you can show the relationship and living arrangements continued after Stage 1.

Strong vs weak examples

Stronger package

Joint lease + several utility or council documents across the claimed period + each partner receiving separate correspondence at the same address + a short statement explaining how you shared the home

Weaker package

A few photos at home + one recent bill in one name only + no explanation of how the other partner lived there

Lease or rental agreement
What this is A lease or rental agreement (also called a tenancy agreement) is a contract showing who is renting a property and for what period. For partner…
Property ownership documents
What this is Property ownership documents are records showing that you, your partner, or both of you own the home you live in together. For a partner visa,…
Household bills at shared address
What this requirement is Household bills at your shared address are useful third-party documents showing that you and your partner lived at the same home and…
Evidence of shared domestic responsibilities
What is this requirement? Home Affairs assesses partner-visa evidence across four categories, and Nature of the Household is one of them. This requirement is…
Photographs of your home together
What this requirement is Photos of your home can support the Nature of the Household pillar by helping show that you and your partner genuinely share a home…

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Social Aspects

Joint social event attendance

Included free

What This Requirement Is

The Department of Home Affairs assesses your relationship across four formal pillars, one of which is the Social Aspects of your relationship. Joint social event attendance is a useful type of evidence within this pillar because it can help show that your relationship exists in the real world, is recognised by other people, and involves a shared social life as a couple.

This is supporting evidence, not a standalone legal requirement that must always be proven in exactly this form. The broader issue is whether other people know about your relationship and whether your social life is consistent with a genuine and continuing partnership.

Case officers look for evidence that you attend events together, are introduced and acknowledged as a couple, and that your social circle treats you as a unit — not just two individuals who happen to know the same people.

Why It Matters

Home Affairs expects social evidence showing that other people know about your relationship. Thin or missing social evidence can weaken this pillar, even if your financial and household evidence is stronger.

If this evidence is weak, Home Affairs may give less weight to the social aspects of your case and may ask for more information before deciding the application.

Exactly What to Provide

Photos from events

Photos from weddings, birthday parties, cultural celebrations, holidays, and family gatherings
Photos should span the relationship timeline where possible, including more recent events relevant to the permanent-stage assessment
Add short captions with the date, location, occasion, and who is pictured where that is not obvious
Organise them chronologically so the timeline is easy to follow

Invitations and event evidence

Invitations (paper or digital) addressed to both of you as a couple, where available
Event tickets or booking confirmations showing you attended together
Screenshots of group chat invites or RSVPs that clearly include you both
Wedding or event programs where you are listed together, if available

Proof of joint participation

Social media posts from events that show you together or show other people recognising you as a couple
Travel or accommodation records connected to attending an event together, where relevant
Other third-party records that place you both at the same event

Written confirmation from others

A brief note, Form 888, or statutory declaration from someone with direct knowledge of the event or your shared social life can help support the evidence

How to Organise and Present This Evidence

Group the evidence clearly, whether in one PDF or a small number of clearly labelled uploads.
Caption photos where needed: [Date] — [Event name], [Location]. Pictured: [Names].
Lead with your clearest and most informative evidence.
Present events in chronological order to reinforce the relationship timeline.
Aim for variety across different years and different types of events.
For the permanent stage, include evidence from the period since lodgement of the original combined 820/801 application, not just older material used earlier in the process.

Pro Tips

What case officers generally look for:

Are both partners visible and clearly together in photos?
Are events shown across multiple years, or just close to the application date?
Do photos show interaction with each other's family and friends, not just one partner's social circle?
Is there corroboration from other people, such as Form 888 witnesses or host statements?

Common mistakes to avoid:

Submitting many similar selfies without context or captions
Only showing events with one partner's friends and none with the other partner's family or community
Uploading blurry, uncaptioned, or undated images
Treating this as the only kind of social evidence, rather than one part of the wider Social Aspects picture
Re-uploading only older Stage 1 material without adding more recent evidence for the permanent-stage period

Strong vs weak evidence:

Strong	Weak
Captioned photo at partner's family Christmas, showing both of you with their relatives	An uncaptioned selfie with no context
Invitation PDF addressed to both partners for a friend's wedding	A single ticket in one partner's name with no supporting context
Form 888 or a host statement confirming they invited you as a couple	No corroboration from any third party
A small, well-captioned set of photos across multiple years and event types	Many near-identical photos from the same month

Timelines

Start collecting now: save event photos and invitations as they happen, because reconstructing a social history later is harder.
For the permanent stage: include social event evidence from the two-year waiting period after lodgement of the original combined 820/801 application, not just evidence from the earlier temporary-stage assessment.
Caption photos promptly: it is much easier to recall dates, locations, and names shortly after an event than much later.

Communication with family and friends
What This Requirement Is This requirement sits within the Social Aspects pillar of partner-visa evidence. It is about showing that your relationship is known…
Joint memberships or subscriptions
What This Requirement Is Joint memberships or subscriptions can be useful Social Aspects evidence for a partner visa. Home Affairs looks broadly for proof that…
Social media evidence
What This Requirement Is Social media evidence can be useful supporting evidence within the Social Aspects pillar of a partner visa case. Home Affairs looks…
Travel together evidence
What This Requirement Is Travel together evidence is useful supporting evidence under the Social Aspects pillar of a partner visa application. Home Affairs…
Joint social commitments
What This Requirement Is Joint social commitments is one way to show the Social Aspects of your relationship. Home Affairs uses this pillar to assess whether…

See 5 more →

Nature of Commitment

Relationship history statement

Included free

What this is

The relationship history statement is a written personal narrative that explains how your relationship began, developed, and continues. For partner visa applications, Home Affairs expects clear relationship evidence from both the applicant and the sponsor, and personal statements are a standard way to provide that context.

Practical expectation: It is good practice for both the applicant and the sponsor to provide their own statement in their own words. Together, they should give a coherent, consistent, and detailed account of your shared life.

Why it matters

This statement helps a case officer understand the relationship timeline behind your other evidence. A vague statement gives very little context. A detailed statement that matches your forms and supporting documents makes the application easier to assess.

Inconsistencies between your statement, your sponsor's statement, and your documents can raise concerns, so accuracy matters.

What to include

Cover the relationship history clearly and chronologically. Useful topics include:

How and where you first met — date, location, and circumstances if you know them
How the relationship developed — early contact, milestones, and when the relationship became serious
When you started living together — if applicable, include dates, addresses, and the circumstances
What life looks like day to day — routines, responsibilities, and how you spend time together
Household arrangements — how you share chores, errands, or other domestic responsibilities
Financial arrangements — how expenses are handled and how you support each other financially, if relevant
Time spent apart — periods of separation and how you kept in contact
Family and social context — how family and friends know about the relationship and important events you attended together
Significant relationship events — moves, engagements, marriage, travel, children, major challenges, or other milestones
Future plans — where you plan to live and what long-term plans you are making together

The exact content should match your real circumstances. If a topic does not apply, do not force it.

Format and length

There is no separate required form just for this statement. It is usually prepared as a free-form document and uploaded in ImmiAccount with the rest of your relationship evidence.
A clear, organised statement is usually more helpful than a very short note or an excessively long narrative.
Write in first person and keep it chronological where possible.
Use specific dates, places, and details where you can do so accurately.
Adding your full name, date, and signature is sensible good practice, even if not expressly required for every upload.

Strong vs. weak examples

Weak: "We met online in 2022 and started dating. We moved in together after a few months. We enjoy spending time together and plan to build a life in Australia."

Stronger: "We first met on 14 March 2022 at a mutual friend's birthday dinner in Melbourne. We exchanged numbers that evening and began messaging daily. Our first date was on 22 March at a café in Fitzroy. By June 2022 it was clear this was serious. We moved into our current flat in October 2022. We split the rent and household bills and stayed in daily contact during her three-week work trip to Singapore in February 2023."

Practical tips

Keep both statements consistent on key facts such as dates, addresses, and major events, but write them separately in your own voice.
Avoid identical wording or overly polished template language.
A simple timeline can help if your relationship has many stages or periods of separation.
Link the statement to your evidence by mentioning key documents where helpful, such as a lease, travel record, or joint account.
Do not hide difficult periods. If you spent time apart or had a complicated timeline, explain it honestly and clearly.
For the 801 stage, provide updated relationship evidence. An updated statement can be useful, but follow the exact Stage 2 document request in ImmiAccount. In some cases, the sponsor may also need to provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration covering the ongoing relationship and future plans.

How to submit

Draft the statement in a document editor.
Save or convert it to PDF if practical.
Log in to ImmiAccount and open the application.
Upload it under the most relevant relationship evidence category shown in your document checklist.
Use a clear filename, such as Applicant-Relationship-Statement-[YourName].pdf.

Tip: If you are close to the ImmiAccount document upload limit, keep files well organised and combine related pages where appropriate.

Evidence of engagement or marriage
What This Requirement Is This item sits within the Nature of Commitment pillar. It is about showing formal evidence of commitment where relevant, especially: a…
Evidence of commitment ceremony
What This Requirement Is This item is for evidence of any commitment ceremony or similar event that publicly marked your relationship. It sits within the…
Correspondence showing commitment
What this requirement is Correspondence showing commitment is evidence of written or digital communication between you and your partner that helps show an…
Wills or life insurance beneficiaries
What this evidence shows This item sits within the Nature of Commitment pillar of partner visa evidence. It is about formal records showing that you have…
Power of attorney
What this evidence is A power of attorney is a legal document authorising another person to act on your behalf. If you have validly appointed your partner, or…
Future plans documentation
What this requirement is Future plans documentation is supporting evidence for the Nature of Commitment pillar of a partner visa application. It helps show…

See 6 more →

Identity Documents

Passport bio page

Included free

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 partner visa application.

For partner visa identity documents, the checklist wording is that you should provide your current passport pages showing photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates.

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

Your visa is digitally linked to your passport details, so if your passport changes during processing you should update Home Affairs through ImmiAccount.

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 has been renewed or replaced since your original 820/801 lodgement, provide the current passport biodata page for the 801 stage and make sure your passport details in ImmiAccount are up to date.

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

Practical tips

Upload a clear, legible colour scan or photo of the biodata page.
Make sure the full page is visible and not cropped.
Check that the name and date of birth match the details used elsewhere in your application.
If your name has changed since the passport was issued, also provide the relevant name-change evidence in the appropriate requirement.

Common mistakes to avoid

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

Stage 2 note for Subclass 801

At the permanent stage, this requirement is mainly about confirming your current identity details. If your passport has not changed since earlier in the combined 820/801 process, keep the copy clear and consistent with the rest of your identity documents. If it has changed, upload the new biodata page and update your passport details promptly.

Sponsor passport or citizenship evidence
What this requirement is This requirement is for evidence that your sponsor is legally eligible to sponsor a Partner visa. For this visa, the sponsor must be…
Birth certificate
What this requirement is For partner-visa identity evidence, Home Affairs asks the applicant to provide a birth certificate showing both parents' names. That…
Change of name documents
What this requirement is This requirement is for documents that link your current legal name to any previous names you have used. For partner visas, Home…
National identity card
What This Requirement Is A national identity card is a government-issued identity document used in some countries. For a Partner visa application, Home Affairs…
Driver's license
What This Requirement Is A driver's licence is an optional supporting document for the subclass 801 stage. It can help in two ways: Identity support — it is an…

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Character Requirements

Australian Federal Police check

Included free

Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check

This requirement is for an AFP National Police Check for time spent in Australia.

The applicant must provide one if they have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.

The sponsor must also provide one if the sponsor has spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.

Critical: Home Affairs does not accept National Police Certificates issued by Australian state or territory police for this purpose. Use the AFP process only.

What it is

The AFP National Police Check is the Australian police certificate used for migration purposes. For Australian visa applications, Home Affairs directs applicants to obtain an AFP National Police Check for Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship.

Older Home Affairs wording sometimes refers to this as an AFP complete disclosure certificate. The key practical point is to follow the Home Affairs / AFP immigration instructions and use the AFP check for immigration purposes, not a state police check.

Why it matters

Providing the wrong Australian police check, or providing one that is too old by the time the Department assesses the case, can lead to delays or a further request for documents.

You should also answer all character questions truthfully in the visa or sponsorship process. A police certificate is only one part of the character assessment.

Exactly what to provide

Type: AFP National Police Check for Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship
Who needs it: The applicant if the applicant meets the Australian residence threshold above, and the sponsor if the sponsor meets that threshold above
Format: AFP checks are commonly issued digitally; upload the PDF or other official result issued by the AFP
Currency: Home Affairs says police certificates should generally be issued within 12 months before application, and for Australian police certificates it may ask for a new one if more than 15 months has passed since issue by the time the case is assessed

How to apply

Go to the AFP National Police Checks page at afp.gov.au
Start an online National Police Check application
Select the purpose type for Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship
Complete the identity verification steps using your own identity documents
Pay the AFP fee shown in the portal. At the time of review, the online application fee is approximately AUD $56 per person, but check the AFP page for the current amount before applying
Download the issued result and upload it to ImmiAccount

Current AFP service information indicates many online checks are processed quickly, often within 48 hours, but some applications take longer if further review is needed. Do not rely on a short turnaround if you are close to a deadline.

Sponsor note: The sponsor obtains their own AFP check separately. In practice, the sponsor's police documents are usually provided with the sponsorship side of the partner application.

For the permanent (801) stage

Do not assume a new AFP check is automatically required for every 801 assessment.

For the permanent stage, provide an updated AFP check if Home Affairs asks for one, if the earlier Australian police certificate is no longer current enough for assessment, or if there has been a new relevant period requiring updated character evidence. The applicant may also need updated overseas police certificates for countries where they have spent a total of 12 months or more since the temporary stage.

If you are preparing Stage 2 documents and your earlier AFP check is already old, it is sensible to check whether a fresh certificate is likely to be needed rather than waiting until the last minute.

Practical tips

Apply early enough that you can still respond if the AFP application is delayed or the Department later asks for an updated check
Use the AFP process only; do not substitute NSW Police, Victoria Police, Queensland Police, or another state or territory police certificate
Keep a copy of the issued AFP result outside ImmiAccount
Make sure the police certificate belongs to the correct person. The applicant and sponsor cannot share one certificate
If you have criminal history, make sure your answers across the application forms and supporting documents are consistent with the police certificate and any court records

Common mistakes to avoid

applying for the wrong purpose or wrong Australian police check
uploading a state or territory police certificate instead of the AFP result
assuming that because one person needs an AFP check, the other person automatically does too
waiting too long and ending up with an AFP certificate that is too old by the time Home Affairs reviews the case
failing to upload the certificate to the correct person's documents in ImmiAccount

Overseas police clearances
Overseas police clearances are required from every country outside Australia where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since…
Form 80 - Personal particulars
What this requirement is Form 80 - Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment is a Home Affairs form used to gather detailed background…
Military service records
What this requirement is If you have served in any country's armed forces, you should provide military service records or discharge papers to support the…
Character statutory declaration
What This Requirement Is This item is best understood as supporting explanatory evidence for a character issue, not as a standard mandatory subclass 801…

See 4 more →

Health Requirements

Health examination

Included free

What this requirement is

Home Affairs lists the health requirement as something Subclass 801 applicants need to satisfy before the permanent visa can be granted. That does not always mean a brand-new medical at Stage 2. If you already completed health examinations for the 820/801 application, Home Affairs may use those results if they are still valid, or it may ask you to complete further or repeat examinations. Home Affairs says it will let you know if you need to do them again.

Any health examinations that are required must be completed through Home Affairs' approved migration health system. Results from your regular GP or a non-approved clinic are not accepted for visa purposes.

Why it matters

Home Affairs assesses whether an applicant's health could pose a public-health risk or be likely to result in significant health-care or community-service costs in Australia.

If Home Affairs requests health examinations and they are not completed, the 801 visa cannot be finalised. If a condition is identified, it is assessed individually. In some cases, Home Affairs may require a health undertaking instead of refusing the visa outright.

What examinations may be required

The exact examination set depends on your age, medical history, country-specific risk factors, and any issues identified during screening. Common requirements include:

Examination	Typical application
Medical examination (501)	Core examination for applicants who are required to undertake an immigration medical examination
Chest X-ray (502)	Commonly required from age 11 and over
HIV test (707)	Generally required for permanent and provisional visa applicants aged 15 and over, and in some younger-risk cases
Hepatitis B test (708)	Required only in specified cases, such as certain 15+ permanent/provisional applicants and some other risk-based categories
Other tests or specialist reports	May be required depending on findings, pregnancy, tuberculosis risk, or other medical history

For Stage 2, do not assume you need to repeat every test from the 820 stage. Follow the examination list linked to your HAP ID or any request letter from Home Affairs.

How to get a HAP ID and arrange the examination

Check whether Home Affairs has asked for examinations in ImmiAccount or in a request letter. For Partner visa applicants, Home Affairs says you can complete health examinations after you apply, and it will let you know if expired examinations need to be redone.
Use the HAP ID provided by Home Affairs. If your visa application was lodged online, the HAP ID is usually shown in the referral letter connected to the health request. If you are completing examinations upfront for an eligible visa, a HAP ID can also be issued through My Health Declarations.
Book with the correct provider:
- In Australia: book through Bupa Medical Visa Services
- Outside Australia: book with a Home Affairs-approved panel physician
Attend with your passport, HAP ID, and relevant medical records. If additional tests are required, the clinic will tell you what to do next.
Results are submitted electronically through eMedical. You usually do not upload the medical results yourself.

Timing and validity

Health examination results are usually valid for 12 months.
If Home Affairs asks you to sign a health undertaking, the health results are usually valid for 6 months.
Home Affairs says it will tell you if you need to do the examinations again after they expire.
Because the 801 stage can take time, avoid self-booking repeat medicals without checking whether Home Affairs has actually requested them.

Family members

Family members included in the permanent visa stage may also need to meet the health requirement.
In some cases, non-migrating family members may also be assessed against the health requirement.
Children can have different examination sets from adults, so follow the HAP-linked instructions rather than assuming everyone needs the same tests.

Costs

Health examination fees are paid directly to the clinic and are separate from the visa application charge. Costs vary by clinic, location, and whether extra tests or specialist reports are needed.

Practical tips

Do not book blindly. At the 801 stage, check ImmiAccount first and follow any request letter or HAP-linked examination list.
Disclose medical history honestly. It is better to explain a known condition up front than have it emerge later during screening.
Keep proof of booking and attendance in case you need extra time or need to show you acted within the requested timeframe.
If you are pregnant or have a history of TB or another significant condition, tell the clinic before the appointment because the examination set or timing may change.
If Home Affairs requests more information, respond within the timeframe given or request more time before the deadline if needed.

Chest x-ray results
What this requirement is A chest X-ray is part of Australia's migration health assessment for tuberculosis (TB) screening. For permanent visa applicants, it is…
Additional health tests
What this requirement is Home Affairs may require additional health tests or specialist reports as part of your migration health assessment for the subclass…
Health insurance evidence
What this requirement is For the subclass 801 visa, private health insurance is not a Department of Home Affairs document requirement and is not a visa…

See 3 more →

Statutory Declarations

Form 888 - Supporting statement

Included free

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 who knows you and your partner and can comment on the social aspects of your relationship.

At the subclass 801 stage, the statement should focus on whether your relationship has remained genuine and continuing during the period since your original combined 820/801 application was lodged.

Why It Matters

Home Affairs uses Form 888 as supporting relationship evidence. It is not your main evidence by itself, but it can help confirm that other people know about your relationship and have personally observed it over time.

For Stage 2, the most useful statements are those that speak to the current relationship and the period since lodgement, not just how the relationship looked at the initial 820 stage.

Who Can Complete It

The current Home Affairs form says it must be completed by a person who:

knows the visa applicant and their partner and the history of the relationship
is at least 18 years of age

The form also says the person completing it must provide documentary evidence of their current name and age and, where applicable, evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency.

Use people who can genuinely speak from personal knowledge. Suitable witnesses can include family members, friends, neighbours, or colleagues who have actually seen you together and can describe what they have observed.

Avoid relying on people who only know the relationship indirectly, only know one of you, or can offer only vague support.

Important: Form 888 is a third-party supporting statement. It is separate from any statutory declaration Home Affairs asks the applicant or sponsor to provide.

How Many Should You Prepare?

Home Affairs partner visa guidance commonly asks for statements from 2 witnesses as part of relationship evidence, and the current Form 888 itself notes that you may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during processing.

In practice:

check what your ImmiAccount document request or Stage 2 request specifically asks for
make sure the statements you provide are detailed and relevant
prioritise quality and first-hand detail over collecting a large number of repetitive statements

What a Strong Form 888 Should Cover

Ask the witness to address:

How they know both of you
How long they have known each of you and how often they are in contact with you
What they have personally observed about your relationship
Why they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing
For the 801 stage, examples from the period since lodgement showing the relationship has continued over time

Useful details can include visits to your home, time spent with you as a couple, family events, travel, shared milestones, and other concrete observations.

Weak statements are usually short, generic, and unsupported. Strong statements are specific, factual, and based on direct experience.

How to Complete and Submit It

Download the current Form 888 from the Department of Home Affairs website
Ask the witness to complete the form in English or provide a translation if needed
If there is not enough space, attach extra pages
Make sure the witness signs the form and attaches their identity evidence, and citizenship or permanent residency evidence if applicable
Upload the completed form to the partner visa application in ImmiAccount

The current Form 888 PDF does not include the older authorised-witness / JP signing section. Do not assume a separate witnessing step is required unless Home Affairs specifically asks for one.

Practical Tips

Use current witnesses where possible. For Stage 2, the statement should cover the period since your original application, not just the early relationship history.
Do not script the statement. You can tell the witness what topics matter, but the wording should be their own.
Attach the identity documents the form asks for. Missing identity evidence can weaken the usefulness of the form.
Keep the timing sensible. There is no stated formal expiry on the form, but a recent statement is usually more persuasive than an old one.
Do not treat Form 888 as a substitute for your other evidence. You still need updated financial, household, social, and commitment evidence for the 801 assessment.

Key Resources

Form 888: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/888.pdf
Subclass 801 visa page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions

Applicant's statutory declaration
What Is This Document? An applicant's statutory declaration is your own formal written statement about the relationship, made under the Statutory Declarations…
Sponsor's statutory declaration
What Is This Document? The sponsor's statutory declaration is the sponsor's own formal written statement about the relationship for the Stage 2 subclass 801…
Additional supporting statements
What This Requirement Is Additional supporting statements are extra third-party statements from people who know your relationship and can speak to how it has…

See 3 more →

Lodgement & Payment

Stage 2 evidence request responded to

Included free

What this requirement is

About 2 years after your original combined 820/801 application was lodged, you become eligible for assessment of the permanent subclass 801 stage. Home Affairs may contact you through ImmiAccount to request further documents, but if 2 years have passed and you have not been contacted, you can also start the Stage 2 process yourself in ImmiAccount.

This step is where you provide updated evidence showing that your relationship has remained genuine and continuing since lodgement.

Why it matters

Respond within the timeframe Home Affairs gives you. Partner visa requests often allow about 28 days, but you must follow the actual deadline in your correspondence.

If you do not respond in time, Home Affairs can decide the permanent stage on the material already available. A weak, incomplete, or late Stage 2 response can put the subclass 801 outcome at risk.

How to lodge or respond at Stage 2

If 2 years have passed since you first applied and you need to initiate Stage 2 yourself:

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Select New application → Family
Select Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)
Complete the online form using your original Application ID
Upload your updated supporting evidence
Keep a copy of what you submitted

If Home Affairs has already written to you, follow the instructions in that request and upload the material through the channel they specify.

What updated evidence to provide

Your Stage 2 material should show that the relationship has remained genuine, continuing, and to the exclusion of all others during the waiting period. Focus on updated evidence since lodgement, while reusing earlier material only where it helps explain context.

1. Updated relationship evidence across the four pillars

Financial aspects

Recent joint bank account statements
Shared lease, mortgage, utility bills, or other evidence of shared expenses
Evidence of joint purchases, insurance, or other financial commitments made since lodgement

Nature of the household

Documents showing you have continued living together, such as tenancy, property, or address evidence
Mail or records showing the same residential address
A short explanation of how household responsibilities are shared, if useful

Social aspects

Updated supporting statements from people who know the relationship
Photos, travel records, invitations, or other social evidence covering the period since lodgement
Evidence of family events, holidays, or shared community activities

Commitment

Updated personal statements from you and your partner explaining how the relationship has continued, your current living arrangements, and future plans
Wills, superannuation beneficiary nominations, insurance records, or other evidence of long-term commitment if available

2. Supporting witness statements and Form 888

Form 888 is a supporting statement form used to help show the social aspects of the relationship
The current Form 888 does not require signing before a JP or other authorised witness
A witness should be 18 or older, know both parties and the relationship history, and attach the identity evidence the form asks for
Updated statements are most useful when they describe specific observations during the Stage 2 period, not just the early relationship history
Home Affairs may ask for up to 3 separate statements during processing, so follow any case-specific request carefully

3. Statements from the applicant and partner

It is helpful to include updated statements from both partners covering:

That the relationship is still genuine and continuing
Current living arrangements and cohabitation
Financial arrangements and household responsibilities
Important developments since lodgement
Future plans together

4. Updated identity or change documents

Include updated identity documents if something has changed since Stage 1, for example:

New passport details
Change-of-name documents
Updated address or contact information where relevant

5. Police certificates or other requested checks

If Home Affairs asks for updated police certificates or other character documents, provide them promptly. Do not assume they are always required at Stage 2, but check your request carefully and order them early if needed because they can take time.

Deadlines and extension requests

If you cannot provide everything by the deadline:

Request extra time before the original response period expires
Use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form if needed
Include evidence of the steps you have already taken, such as payment receipts, booking confirmations, or application acknowledgements

Home Affairs does not guarantee extensions.

Practical guidance

Start preparing before the 2-year mark. Keep collecting joint documents, photos, travel records, and other proof throughout the waiting period so the Stage 2 response is easier to assemble.

Prioritise updated evidence. The permanent stage is about showing the relationship has continued since the original application, not simply re-uploading the same Stage 1 bundle.

Use precise, consistent statements. Your own statements and any witness statements should align on key facts such as dates, addresses, major events, and living arrangements.

Check ImmiAccount regularly. Home Affairs may send follow-up requests after your Stage 2 submission.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting too long to start collecting updated evidence
Missing the deadline in the Home Affairs request
Treating Form 888 as if it must be witnessed like a statutory declaration
Uploading vague witness statements that do not address the period since lodgement
Assuming police certificates are automatically required without checking the actual request
Re-uploading only old Stage 1 documents without clear updated evidence

No additional application fee for Stage 2
What this means The subclass 801 assessment is part of the original combined 820/801 Partner visa application. There is no separate visa application charge for…

See 1 more →

Post-Grant

Permanent residency confirmed

Included free

What Is This Requirement?

Once your Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is granted, you officially become a permanent resident of Australia from the grant date. This requirement asks you to confirm you have received your grant notification, understand your new rights and entitlements, and take the key steps that flow from grant.

The Department of Home Affairs notifies you by email and via ImmiAccount when the 801 is granted. There is no physical visa label or card — your permanent residency is digitally linked to your passport.

Why It Matters

Knowing your rights and acting promptly after grant prevents you from missing critical windows. In particular:

the 5-year travel facility generally runs from the 801 grant date
the citizenship permanent-residence date is usually the grant date if you were in Australia, or your first arrival in Australia on that permanent visa if you were outside Australia when it was granted

Important: If you were outside Australia when the 801 was granted, your citizenship permanent-residence clock does not start until you physically arrive in Australia on that visa. Return as soon as practical if citizenship timing matters to you.

What You Now Have as a Permanent Resident

Right	Detail
Live in Australia	Indefinitely — no expiry date on your residency
Work	Unlimited — any employer, any occupation, any hours
Study	Unlimited — access to fees and student-loan schemes depends on the course and provider; permanent residents may be eligible for Commonwealth supported places in some cases but are not usually eligible for HELP loans
Medicare	Full access — enrol or update your Medicare enrolment immediately
Travel	5-year travel facility from the 801 grant date
Social security	May be eligible, but waiting periods and residence rules vary by payment and personal circumstances
Sponsor family	May sponsor eligible relatives for certain Australian visas
Citizenship	Eligible to apply after meeting residency requirements (see below)

How to Confirm Your Status

Step 1 — Check ImmiAccount Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au. Your 801 grant will appear in your application history. Save or screenshot the grant notification, including the visa grant number, start date, and conditions.

Step 2 — Verify via VEVO Use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) tool at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/vevo to confirm your visa details including the grant date and travel facility expiry. You can share a VEVO reference with employers, landlords, Centrelink, and Medicare as proof of your status.

Step 3 — Enrol in or Update Medicare If needed, enrol online through myGov or complete the Medicare enrolment process through Services Australia. If you are already enrolled because of your partner-visa application, update your details if Services Australia asks for current permanent-resident evidence.

Step 4 — Update Your Records Notify relevant organisations of your permanent residency status: your employer, bank, superannuation fund, and any government agencies you interact with.

Key Dates to Record Immediately

Write these down as soon as the grant lands:

801 grant date — the official start of your permanent residency
5-year travel facility expiry — the date by which you must return to Australia after overseas travel, or hold a Resident Return Visa (or citizenship)
Citizenship eligibility date — generally 4 years after first becoming lawfully present in Australia, including at least 1 year as a permanent resident

Tip: The citizenship 4-year clock includes time on the Subclass 820 temporary visa, but the mandatory 1 year as a permanent resident can only be counted from your 801 grant date. Don't conflate the two.

Pro Tips

New Zealand citizens: If you hold New Zealand citizenship, check the current Home Affairs citizenship rules separately. Since 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category visa can apply directly for citizenship if eligible, so older guidance about subclass 444 automatically undermining citizenship eligibility is no longer reliable as a general rule.

When your 5-year travel facility expires: Your permanent residency does not expire, but your right to re-enter Australia after overseas travel does. Before the travel facility expires, either:

Apply for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157), or
Apply for Australian citizenship — Australian citizens use an Australian passport and face no travel facility restrictions

Centrelink and waiting periods: Social security rules are payment-specific. Some payments have a Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP), but the start date can differ depending on the payment and visa history. For some partner-visa holders, certain waiting periods can count from the earlier 309/820 partner-visa stage, while for other payments they start from the permanent visa grant date when you were present in Australia. Check the specific Services Australia page for each payment rather than assuming one rule applies to all.

Superannuation and financial updates: Update your superannuation fund's beneficiary nomination and any life insurance or income protection policies. Permanent residents have different entitlements than temporary residents in some fund structures.

What Happens Next

After confirming your permanent residency, your key next steps are:

Enrol in or update Medicare — do this promptly
Check Centrelink eligibility — understand which payments you may qualify for and when your waiting period ends
Plan for your travel facility expiry — calendar a reminder 6 months before it expires to apply for citizenship or a Resident Return Visa
Track your citizenship eligibility — use the Home Affairs citizenship eligibility calculator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au when you approach the 4-year mark
Keep your ImmiAccount and contact details up to date — the Department may still contact you if any post-decision matters arise

Pathway to Australian citizenship
What This Requirement Is Holding a Subclass 801 permanent visa means you can plan for Australian citizenship by conferral if you later meet the citizenship…
Travel facility and Resident Return Visa
What This Requirement Is When your Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is granted, you usually receive a 5-year travel facility from the date of grant. This is…

See 2 more →

ReRooted provides general information to help you organise your application. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the Department of Home Affairs and/or a registered migration agent for advice.

Want the full walkthrough? Read the complete 820/801 partner-visa checklist guide — the evidence categories, the process flow, fees, and common mistakes in one place.

Common questions

Subclass 801 — your questions, organised.

What is the 801 visa?: The subclass 801 is the permanent residence stage of the onshore partner visa. It follows the temporary subclass 820, roughly two years after the original combined application was lodged. You do not lodge or pay again — when the Department invites you, you provide updated evidence that the relationship has continued.
What is on the 801 visa second-stage checklist?: The 801 second-stage checklist asks for updated evidence across the same four relationship pillars assessed at the 820 stage — financial, household, social, and commitment — covering the period since the 820 was granted. Wait for the Department’s request in ImmiAccount before submitting; sending 801 evidence early, before it is invited, is a common mistake.
What are the 801 visa requirements?: To be granted the subclass 801 you generally need to still hold the subclass 820, still be in a genuine and continuing relationship with the same sponsor, and meet the character requirements. The relationship must have continued to the permanent stage. Some applicants — for example where the relationship is long-standing or there are children — may have the 801 assessed sooner, but those exceptions are narrow.
When can I apply for the 801 second stage, and how do I start it?: Eligibility for the permanent subclass 801 is generally measured from when you first lodged the combined 820/801 application — usually about two years after that lodgement date, not two years after the 820 was granted. You do not lodge a new application or pay a second fee. When the time comes, the Department of Home Affairs invites you to provide updated evidence; in ImmiAccount this is typically done by logging in and completing the Stage 2 permanent partner visa assessment for your existing application. Follow the Department’s invitation or the Stage 2 task in ImmiAccount before submitting second-stage evidence, and confirm your eligibility date and the current steps in ImmiAccount. A narrow set of long-standing relationships can be assessed for the 801 sooner, but those exceptions are limited.
What happens to an 820 or 801 partner visa if the relationship breaks down?: A partner visa generally depends on the relationship continuing to the permanent 801 stage, so if the relationship ends before a decision the Department of Home Affairs expects you to tell it — notifying a relationship cessation is a condition of the visa — because the visa can be affected. There are, however, limited provisions that can allow the permanent visa to still be granted despite the relationship ending: where there has been family violence by the sponsoring partner (against you or a member of your family unit), where the sponsor has died (and you would have met the requirements but for the death and have developed close ties in Australia), or where you and your former sponsor have a child of the relationship and you have joint custody of, or access to, that child. In each case the Department must first be satisfied the relationship was genuine before it ended. These provisions are specific and evidence-based, and family-violence claims in particular follow a defined process. Because the outcome turns entirely on your circumstances and the current regulations, do not rely on other people’s outcomes — notify the Department and get advice from a registered migration agent, or contact a family-violence support service if you are affected. This is general information, not legal advice.
My partner visa was refused and I appealed to the Tribunal — what happens at the hearing?: A review hearing is generally conducted by a Tribunal member who explains the process, asks questions, and gives you an opportunity to present information relevant to the review. The exact questions cannot be predicted because they depend on the reasons for refusal, the evidence, and the issues the Tribunal must decide. A sensible starting point is to read the refusal decision and the Tribunal’s documents carefully, identify each issue raised, and organise current evidence that directly addresses those points; the Tribunal says you may provide new information supporting your case, and its procedures vary with the type of decision under review. Follow every deadline and direction in the Tribunal’s correspondence, and arrange an interpreter or other support early if needed. Because a refused partner visa under review turns on its specific evidence, consider advice from a registered migration agent. This is general information, not legal advice.

Other Australia visas

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Australia · Subclass 801

Your partner visa, organised.

Subclass 801 — Partner (Permanent) checklist

Start your Subclass 801 checklist Jump to the categories →

Last verified · May 2026Framed against Department of Home Affairs guidanceNot legal advice — organisation only

Why it feels so hard

The hard part isn’t the form — it’s the evidence.

Is our relationship evidence actually enough?

The Department weighs four pillars — financial, household, social, and commitment. It’s hard to know which one is thin until a case officer tells you.

Did we miss a form or a declaration?

Form 888 statutory declarations, identity documents, police checks — small omissions are what stall a partner application for months.

Are we organising it the way they read it?

A folder of screenshots isn’t an application. Evidence has to map to the categories the decision-maker actually assesses.

What the subclass 801 partner visa is

When the 801 stage opens

How the 801 second-stage checklist is organised

What permanent residence on the 801 gives you

Your status while you wait

Common pitfalls

Submitting 801 evidence before the Department invites it.
A gap in the evidence timeline between the 820 grant and the 801 request.
Letting police checks lapse before the permanent decision is made.
Assuming the 801 is automatic — it is a fresh assessment of continuing commitment.

For your specific situation, refer to the Department of Home Affairs and a registered migration agent (MARA-registered). The information above is organisational, not legal advice.

At a glance

Headline numbers for Subclass 801.

Application fee: $0
Processing time: 12-18 months (after 2-year wait)
Visa type: Permanent
Categories: 12
Requirements tracked: 54
Authority: DHA

Collection categories

What you lodge — organised the way the application reads.

ReRooted groups the Subclass 801 requirements into 12 collection categories. Each card below shows the category, what it covers, and how many requirements sit inside it.

01
Pre-Application Eligibility
Checks to confirm you are eligible for the Stage 2 permanent partner visa
3 requirements
02
Sponsor Eligibility
Sponsor requirements for the Stage 2 permanent visa assessment
2 requirements
03
Financial Aspects
Evidence showing how you and your partner share finances and financial responsibilities
6 requirements
04
Nature of Household
Evidence of your shared living arrangements and domestic life
6 requirements
05
Social Aspects
Evidence that your relationship is recognized by friends, family, and the community
6 requirements
06
Nature of Commitment
Evidence demonstrating your mutual commitment to a shared life together
7 requirements
07
Identity Documents
Proof of identity for applicant and sponsor
6 requirements
08
Character Requirements
Police clearances and character assessments
5 requirements
09
Health Requirements
Medical examinations and health clearances
4 requirements
10
Statutory Declarations
Form 888 and other formal declarations supporting your relationship
4 requirements
11
Lodgement & Payment
Stage 2 assessment preparation and response tracking
2 requirements
12
Post-Grant
Important steps and obligations after your permanent visa is granted
3 requirements

Sample guidance

The first item in every category — guidance included, free.

Pre-Application Eligibility

Two-year eligibility date confirmed

Included free

What This Requirement Is

According to Home Affairs: Where you hold a temporary Subclass 820 visa, Home Affairs generally considers the permanent Subclass 801 only after two years have passed since you first applied, unless an exception applies.

Why It Matters

Getting this date wrong creates avoidable Stage 2 delays:

Submitting Stage 2 evidence before your two-year eligibility date will not speed up the permanent-stage assessment under the standard pathway
Waiting too long after your eligibility date to start Stage 2 can delay permanent residency unnecessarily
Home Affairs may contact you if further documents are needed, but you should not rely on receiving a prompt exactly when the two-year date arrives
Missing a Home Affairs request for evidence and failing to respond within the stated timeframe can result in the application being decided on the information already available

How to Find Your Eligibility Date

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Locate your original 820/801 application in your applications list
Note the lodgement date — this is the date your eligibility clock started (not the 820 grant date)
Add exactly two years to the lodgement date — this is your earliest Stage 2 eligibility date

Example: If your 820/801 application was lodged on 3 May 2023, your two-year eligibility date is 3 May 2025.

Record this date somewhere reliable. Set a reminder 4–6 weeks before your eligibility date so you have time to compile updated evidence before initiating Stage 2.

How to Initiate Stage 2

Once your two-year eligibility date has arrived (or passed):

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Select "New application" → "Family"
Select "Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)"
Complete the online form using your original Application ID from your acknowledgement-of-receipt or grant correspondence
Upload your updated relationship evidence and any other requested documents
Respond to any Home Affairs requests within the specified timeframe

Also watch for requests from Home Affairs: If Home Affairs needs further documents for your Subclass 801 application, it will let you know. Even so, eligible applicants can initiate the Stage 2 assessment themselves through ImmiAccount once the two-year point has passed.

Exceptions to the Two-Year Wait

You may be eligible for the Subclass 801 to be assessed before the two-year mark if, at the time you lodged your 820/801 application:

Exception	Requirement
Long-term relationship	Your relationship had already lasted 3 or more years at lodgement
Relationship 2+ years with a child	Your relationship had lasted 2 or more years AND you have a dependent child of the relationship

Additional exceptions in special circumstances:

Death of sponsor: If your sponsoring partner dies after the Subclass 820 stage, you may still be eligible for the permanent visa
Family violence: If the relationship breaks down because the sponsor committed family or domestic violence, you may still be eligible for the Subclass 801 under the family violence provisions
Sponsor held a specified visa: In some cases Home Affairs may grant the permanent visa in less than two years and will advise you if that applies

What Evidence Stage 2 Requires

Updated relationship evidence across the four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment)
New or updated Form 888 statutory declarations from witnesses who can speak to your relationship during the waiting period
A sponsor statutory declaration (separate from Form 888)
Updated identity documents if anything has changed (for example, passport details or name)
Police certificates if requested or if current instructions for your application require updated checks
Evidence of any changes in circumstances (new address, children, passport changes, employment changes)

Start collecting this updated evidence throughout the waiting period rather than leaving it all until Stage 2.

Pro Tips

Count from lodgement, not grant. The two-year clock starts when the combined application was lodged.
Do not assume Home Affairs will remind you at the right time. Monitor ImmiAccount yourself and be ready to start Stage 2 once eligible.
Keep collecting evidence throughout the wait. New joint financial records, housing records, travel evidence, and social evidence all help show the relationship has continued.
Monitor ImmiAccount regularly in the lead-up to your eligibility date in case Home Affairs sends a request for information.
Initiate Stage 2 promptly once eligible and once you can provide a complete, well-organised set of updated evidence.
If circumstances have changed (relationship breakdown, separation, sponsor death, or family violence), check the official guidance and consider advice from a registered migration agent before proceeding.

Key Contacts and Resources

ImmiAccount (confirm your lodgement date): online.immi.gov.au
Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner Processing Enquiry Form: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form
Home Affairs general enquiries (in Australia): 131 881
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au

Exception eligibility check
What This Requirement Is The standard rule for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is that it is considered about 2 years after your original combined…
Relationship still genuine and continuing
What This Requirement Is For the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa, Home Affairs lists continuing to be the spouse or de facto partner of the same person who…

See 2 more →

Sponsor Eligibility

Sponsor approval still valid

Included free

What This Requirement Is

For the Subclass 801 stage, you do not lodge a new partner sponsorship application. The sponsorship from the original 820/801 application continues into the permanent-stage assessment.

Official position: Home Affairs says a sponsor can withdraw sponsorship any time before it decides the permanent Partner visa application. Home Affairs also says some applications can still continue if the relationship has ended, including certain cases involving family violence, death of the sponsor, or where there is a child of the relationship and shared access and parental responsibility.

Why It Matters

At Stage 2, sponsor issues usually matter because they affect how Home Affairs will assess the permanent visa application:

If the sponsor has withdrawn sponsorship, Home Affairs will consider that information before deciding the 801
If the relationship has ended, the application does not automatically fail, but the applicant may need to rely on a specific provision and provide further information
If Home Affairs asks for updated sponsor information or documents, delays or non-response can slow the application or leave it to be decided on the material already available

What Usually Means the Sponsorship Is Still Current

In practical terms, the sponsorship is usually still current where:

The same person who sponsored the original 820/801 application is still the relevant sponsor
The sponsor has not withdrawn sponsorship
There has been no notification to Home Affairs that the relationship has ended, or if it has ended, the applicant is pursuing an applicable pathway such as family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship provisions
The sponsor is still willing to cooperate with the permanent-stage process, including providing any documents Home Affairs asks for

What Can Affect This Requirement

Sponsor Withdrawal

Home Affairs says a sponsor can withdraw sponsorship any time before the permanent Partner visa application is decided.

To do this, the sponsor should use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form and include a statement that they withdraw sponsorship from the Partner visa application.

Important: Simply removing access to ImmiAccount or becoming uncooperative is not the same thing as a formal withdrawal, although it can still create practical problems if Home Affairs needs sponsor material.

Relationship Breakdown or Change

If the relationship has ended or changed, this should be notified through the proper Home Affairs channel.

Official guidance says there may still be circumstances where the permanent Partner visa application can continue despite the relationship ending, including:

family violence by the sponsoring partner
death of the sponsoring partner
a child of the relationship with shared access and parental responsibility

These are exception pathways, not routine cases. They usually require prompt notification and extra evidence.

Sponsor Cooperation at Stage 2

How to Check It in Practice

There is no separate Home Affairs document called a "sponsorship validity certificate." A sensible check is:

Review ImmiAccount and Home Affairs messages for any request, warning, or update about the relationship or sponsorship
Confirm whether the sponsor has withdrawn sponsorship or told Home Affairs the relationship has ended
Confirm the sponsor is still willing to provide Stage 2 material, especially the sponsor statutory declaration
Check whether any special circumstance applies if the relationship has ended, such as family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship provisions

If the Relationship Has Broken Down

If the relationship has ended, do not assume the case is over, but do not assume it can continue unchanged either.

Family violence: the applicant may still be eligible for the permanent visa under the family violence provisions
Death of sponsor: the applicant may still be eligible under the death-of-sponsor provisions
Child of the relationship: the application may still continue in some circumstances where there is a child of the relationship and shared access and parental responsibility
Reconciliation: if the relationship has recommenced after a previous breakdown, Home Affairs says this should be reported using the Partner Processing Enquiry Form with statutory declarations from both parties and identity evidence

If family violence is involved: Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Home Affairs also has a dedicated family violence guidance page.

The Sponsor's Stage 2 Declaration

That declaration helps show that:

the relationship is still genuine and continuing, or
if the relationship has changed, what the relevant circumstances are

This is different from Form 888, which is for supporting witness statements.

Pro Tips

Do not treat this as a fresh sponsorship application. The main question is whether anything has changed since Stage 1.
Check for a formal withdrawal first. That is one of the clearest ways this requirement can become problematic.
If the relationship has changed, use the correct Home Affairs process promptly. Delay can create avoidable complications.
Do not overstate VEVO. It can help only where the sponsor actually holds a visa status that VEVO can show; it does not verify Australian citizenship.
Get tailored advice for exception cases. Family violence, death of sponsor, or child-of-the-relationship cases are fact-sensitive.

Key Resources

Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
Partner Processing Enquiry Form: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/partner-processing-enquiry-form
About partner visas / relationship cessation information: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/programs-subsite/Pages/family-migration/about-partner-visas.aspx
Family violence provisions: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/domestic-family-violence-and-your-visa/family-violence-provisions
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Home Affairs general enquiries (Australia): 131 881

Updated sponsor police certificates
What This Requirement Is Sponsors are generally expected to provide their Australian and any foreign police checks when they first submit the partner…

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Financial Aspects

Joint bank account statements

Included free

What This Requirement Is

Official context: The visa guide for this project lists joint bank account statements (showing regular use by both partners) as an example of financial evidence. Financial aspects are one of the four relationship areas Home Affairs considers when assessing whether a relationship is genuine and continuing.

Why It Matters

Bank statements are useful because they come from an independent third party and can show real day-to-day financial behaviour over time.

Strong statements can help show:

you both use the account, not just one partner
the account is used for ordinary shared expenses
your financial arrangements are consistent with the rest of your evidence

Weak financial evidence can create doubts, especially if the account appears newly opened, rarely used, or disconnected from the rest of your relationship evidence.

What to Provide

If you have a joint account, provide statements that clearly show:

both names as account holders
the statement period and account details
regular use of the account
transactions that fit a shared life, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, travel, or other household spending

There is no single fixed number of statements that suits every case. The safer approach is to provide enough statements to show ongoing use over time, not just a short snapshot.

If the account was opened after your original lodgement, provide statements from when it was opened onwards and explain that timing briefly in your personal statement or other relationship statement.

If You Do Not Have a Joint Account

transfer records between your accounts for shared expenses
bills, lease, mortgage, or insurance records showing how expenses are divided or shared
evidence of major joint purchases
a written explanation of how you manage finances as a couple

Key point: The issue is not whether you have a joint account. The issue is whether your overall evidence shows a genuine shared financial life.

How to Prepare the Evidence

Download the statements for the relevant period from your bank or request them from the bank if older records are not available online.
Keep the statements in a clear, legible format, preferably the bank's original PDF statements where available.
Organise them in date order.
If there are long gaps, unusual inactivity, or a recent account opening date, add a short explanation.
Upload them with a descriptive file name so the case officer can identify the document quickly.

What Case Officers Are Likely Looking For

Regular use over time rather than a dormant account
Participation by both partners rather than one person doing everything
Shared expenses that fit your claimed living arrangements
Consistency with your other evidence, such as your lease, utility bills, insurance, and written statements

A joint account that is genuinely used over time is usually much more persuasive than an account that exists only on paper.

Common Issues to Avoid

providing only a very short run of statements with no broader context
uploading incomplete or illegible pages
relying on a joint account that shows little or no real activity
submitting statements that do not match the address, timeline, or financial story shown elsewhere in the application
failing to explain why you do not have a joint account, if that is your situation

Stronger and Weaker Examples

Situation	Assessment
Statements showing an established joint account used by both partners for shared living costs over time	Strong
Statements from a recently opened joint account with minimal activity and no explanation	Weak
Separate accounts supported by transfer records, shared bills, and a clear explanation of your arrangement	Acceptable
No meaningful financial evidence and no explanation	Risky

What Else to Include Alongside Statements

Joint bank statements are strongest when they are supported by other financial evidence mentioned in the visa guide, such as:

joint lease, rental agreement, mortgage, or loan documents
utility bills at a shared address
joint credit card accounts if you have them
receipts for major joint purchases
joint insurance policies
tax records or superannuation beneficiary nominations that support the same relationship picture

Key Resources

ImmiAccount: online.immi.gov.au
Subclass 801 official page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner visa guide for this project: visa-guides/australia-partner-820-801.md
Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au

Joint loan or mortgage documents
What This Requirement Is Joint loan or mortgage documents are one form of evidence for the Financial Aspects of your relationship. Home Affairs lists joint…
Joint utility accounts
What This Requirement Is Joint utility accounts are household bills or service accounts at your shared address, such as electricity, gas, water, internet, or…
Joint insurance policies
What This Requirement Is Joint insurance policies are one possible form of evidence for the Financial Aspects of your relationship. Examples can include home…
Evidence of shared expenses
What This Requirement Is For partner visas, Home Affairs assesses the financial aspects of the relationship as one of the four relationship areas. Evidence of…
Joint tax returns or financial declarations
What This Requirement Is Despite the title, Australia does not have joint income tax returns. Each person lodges their own tax return. For this requirement,…

See 5 more →

Nature of Household

Proof of shared residence

Included free

What this requirement is

Home Affairs examples for this area include:

Household bills in both names
Mail or emails addressed to you both
Documents that prove your living arrangements
Documents showing joint responsibility for children
A statement about how you share housework

What to provide

Aim to provide a small set of consistent documents from different sources covering the period you say you have lived together.

Stronger evidence

Joint lease or tenancy agreement
Joint mortgage documents
Utility bills at the shared address
Council rates notices for the home you live in
Real estate agent or landlord correspondence confirming both occupants
Government or bank correspondence showing each partner at the same residential address

Useful supporting evidence

Mail or emails addressed to both of you at the same address
Documents showing joint responsibility for children at that address
Pet registration or vet records showing the same shared address
A signed statement from you and your partner explaining your living arrangements and how household responsibilities are shared
Statements from friends, family, landlord, or housemates who have direct knowledge of your living arrangements

If your evidence is not straightforward

Only one partner is named on the lease or bills

That is common and does not automatically weaken the application. Add supporting evidence showing the other partner also lived there, such as:

Mail addressed to them at the same residence
A landlord or property manager letter
Bank or government correspondence to that address
A short explanation in your relationship statement

You lived with family or friends

Provide a statement or statutory declaration from the homeowner or primary tenant, plus independent mail or account records showing both of you at that address.

You spent periods apart for work, study, family, or visa reasons

Explain the dates and reason clearly. Shared residence evidence can still be accepted if the overall evidence shows the relationship continued and you were not permanently separated.

Practical tips

Use documents from different sources, not just one provider
Make sure the address and dates line up across your evidence
Include evidence across the full claimed cohabitation period, not only the most recent month or two
If a document is only in one name, include something else that ties the other partner to the same address
Keep a brief written explanation ready for any gap, move, or unusual arrangement

Common mistakes

Uploading only photos of the home or photos of the couple
Providing only one recent bill and no evidence for the earlier period
Relying entirely on self-written statements without third-party documents
Ignoring address inconsistencies across lease, bills, bank statements, and other records
Waiting until Stage 2 to start collecting evidence

Stage 2 (subclass 801)

Strong vs weak examples

Stronger package

Weaker package

A few photos at home + one recent bill in one name only + no explanation of how the other partner lived there

Lease or rental agreement
What this is A lease or rental agreement (also called a tenancy agreement) is a contract showing who is renting a property and for what period. For partner…
Property ownership documents
What this is Property ownership documents are records showing that you, your partner, or both of you own the home you live in together. For a partner visa,…
Household bills at shared address
What this requirement is Household bills at your shared address are useful third-party documents showing that you and your partner lived at the same home and…
Evidence of shared domestic responsibilities
What is this requirement? Home Affairs assesses partner-visa evidence across four categories, and Nature of the Household is one of them. This requirement is…
Photographs of your home together
What this requirement is Photos of your home can support the Nature of the Household pillar by helping show that you and your partner genuinely share a home…

See 5 more →

Social Aspects

Joint social event attendance

Included free

What This Requirement Is

Why It Matters

Home Affairs expects social evidence showing that other people know about your relationship. Thin or missing social evidence can weaken this pillar, even if your financial and household evidence is stronger.

If this evidence is weak, Home Affairs may give less weight to the social aspects of your case and may ask for more information before deciding the application.

Exactly What to Provide

Photos from events

Photos from weddings, birthday parties, cultural celebrations, holidays, and family gatherings
Photos should span the relationship timeline where possible, including more recent events relevant to the permanent-stage assessment
Add short captions with the date, location, occasion, and who is pictured where that is not obvious
Organise them chronologically so the timeline is easy to follow

Invitations and event evidence

Invitations (paper or digital) addressed to both of you as a couple, where available
Event tickets or booking confirmations showing you attended together
Screenshots of group chat invites or RSVPs that clearly include you both
Wedding or event programs where you are listed together, if available

Proof of joint participation

Social media posts from events that show you together or show other people recognising you as a couple
Travel or accommodation records connected to attending an event together, where relevant
Other third-party records that place you both at the same event

Written confirmation from others

A brief note, Form 888, or statutory declaration from someone with direct knowledge of the event or your shared social life can help support the evidence

How to Organise and Present This Evidence

Group the evidence clearly, whether in one PDF or a small number of clearly labelled uploads.
Caption photos where needed: [Date] — [Event name], [Location]. Pictured: [Names].
Lead with your clearest and most informative evidence.
Present events in chronological order to reinforce the relationship timeline.
Aim for variety across different years and different types of events.
For the permanent stage, include evidence from the period since lodgement of the original combined 820/801 application, not just older material used earlier in the process.

Pro Tips

What case officers generally look for:

Are both partners visible and clearly together in photos?
Are events shown across multiple years, or just close to the application date?
Do photos show interaction with each other's family and friends, not just one partner's social circle?
Is there corroboration from other people, such as Form 888 witnesses or host statements?

Common mistakes to avoid:

Submitting many similar selfies without context or captions
Only showing events with one partner's friends and none with the other partner's family or community
Uploading blurry, uncaptioned, or undated images
Treating this as the only kind of social evidence, rather than one part of the wider Social Aspects picture
Re-uploading only older Stage 1 material without adding more recent evidence for the permanent-stage period

Strong vs weak evidence:

Strong	Weak
Captioned photo at partner's family Christmas, showing both of you with their relatives	An uncaptioned selfie with no context
Invitation PDF addressed to both partners for a friend's wedding	A single ticket in one partner's name with no supporting context
Form 888 or a host statement confirming they invited you as a couple	No corroboration from any third party
A small, well-captioned set of photos across multiple years and event types	Many near-identical photos from the same month

Timelines

Start collecting now: save event photos and invitations as they happen, because reconstructing a social history later is harder.
For the permanent stage: include social event evidence from the two-year waiting period after lodgement of the original combined 820/801 application, not just evidence from the earlier temporary-stage assessment.
Caption photos promptly: it is much easier to recall dates, locations, and names shortly after an event than much later.

Communication with family and friends
What This Requirement Is This requirement sits within the Social Aspects pillar of partner-visa evidence. It is about showing that your relationship is known…
Joint memberships or subscriptions
What This Requirement Is Joint memberships or subscriptions can be useful Social Aspects evidence for a partner visa. Home Affairs looks broadly for proof that…
Social media evidence
What This Requirement Is Social media evidence can be useful supporting evidence within the Social Aspects pillar of a partner visa case. Home Affairs looks…
Travel together evidence
What This Requirement Is Travel together evidence is useful supporting evidence under the Social Aspects pillar of a partner visa application. Home Affairs…
Joint social commitments
What This Requirement Is Joint social commitments is one way to show the Social Aspects of your relationship. Home Affairs uses this pillar to assess whether…

See 5 more →

Nature of Commitment

Relationship history statement

Included free

What this is

Practical expectation: It is good practice for both the applicant and the sponsor to provide their own statement in their own words. Together, they should give a coherent, consistent, and detailed account of your shared life.

Why it matters

Inconsistencies between your statement, your sponsor's statement, and your documents can raise concerns, so accuracy matters.

What to include

Cover the relationship history clearly and chronologically. Useful topics include:

How and where you first met — date, location, and circumstances if you know them
How the relationship developed — early contact, milestones, and when the relationship became serious
When you started living together — if applicable, include dates, addresses, and the circumstances
What life looks like day to day — routines, responsibilities, and how you spend time together
Household arrangements — how you share chores, errands, or other domestic responsibilities
Financial arrangements — how expenses are handled and how you support each other financially, if relevant
Time spent apart — periods of separation and how you kept in contact
Family and social context — how family and friends know about the relationship and important events you attended together
Significant relationship events — moves, engagements, marriage, travel, children, major challenges, or other milestones
Future plans — where you plan to live and what long-term plans you are making together

The exact content should match your real circumstances. If a topic does not apply, do not force it.

Format and length

There is no separate required form just for this statement. It is usually prepared as a free-form document and uploaded in ImmiAccount with the rest of your relationship evidence.
A clear, organised statement is usually more helpful than a very short note or an excessively long narrative.
Write in first person and keep it chronological where possible.
Use specific dates, places, and details where you can do so accurately.
Adding your full name, date, and signature is sensible good practice, even if not expressly required for every upload.

Strong vs. weak examples

Weak: "We met online in 2022 and started dating. We moved in together after a few months. We enjoy spending time together and plan to build a life in Australia."

Practical tips

Keep both statements consistent on key facts such as dates, addresses, and major events, but write them separately in your own voice.
Avoid identical wording or overly polished template language.
A simple timeline can help if your relationship has many stages or periods of separation.
Link the statement to your evidence by mentioning key documents where helpful, such as a lease, travel record, or joint account.
Do not hide difficult periods. If you spent time apart or had a complicated timeline, explain it honestly and clearly.
For the 801 stage, provide updated relationship evidence. An updated statement can be useful, but follow the exact Stage 2 document request in ImmiAccount. In some cases, the sponsor may also need to provide a Commonwealth statutory declaration covering the ongoing relationship and future plans.

How to submit

Draft the statement in a document editor.
Save or convert it to PDF if practical.
Log in to ImmiAccount and open the application.
Upload it under the most relevant relationship evidence category shown in your document checklist.
Use a clear filename, such as Applicant-Relationship-Statement-[YourName].pdf.

Tip: If you are close to the ImmiAccount document upload limit, keep files well organised and combine related pages where appropriate.

Evidence of engagement or marriage
What This Requirement Is This item sits within the Nature of Commitment pillar. It is about showing formal evidence of commitment where relevant, especially: a…
Evidence of commitment ceremony
What This Requirement Is This item is for evidence of any commitment ceremony or similar event that publicly marked your relationship. It sits within the…
Correspondence showing commitment
What this requirement is Correspondence showing commitment is evidence of written or digital communication between you and your partner that helps show an…
Wills or life insurance beneficiaries
What this evidence shows This item sits within the Nature of Commitment pillar of partner visa evidence. It is about formal records showing that you have…
Power of attorney
What this evidence is A power of attorney is a legal document authorising another person to act on your behalf. If you have validly appointed your partner, or…
Future plans documentation
What this requirement is Future plans documentation is supporting evidence for the Nature of Commitment pillar of a partner visa application. It helps show…

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Identity Documents

Passport bio page

Included free

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 partner visa application.

For partner visa identity documents, the checklist wording is that you should provide your current passport pages showing photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates.

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

Your visa is digitally linked to your passport details, so if your passport changes during processing you should update Home Affairs through ImmiAccount.

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

Practical tips

Upload a clear, legible colour scan or photo of the biodata page.
Make sure the full page is visible and not cropped.
Check that the name and date of birth match the details used elsewhere in your application.
If your name has changed since the passport was issued, also provide the relevant name-change evidence in the appropriate requirement.

Common mistakes to avoid

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

Stage 2 note for Subclass 801

Sponsor passport or citizenship evidence
What this requirement is This requirement is for evidence that your sponsor is legally eligible to sponsor a Partner visa. For this visa, the sponsor must be…
Birth certificate
What this requirement is For partner-visa identity evidence, Home Affairs asks the applicant to provide a birth certificate showing both parents' names. That…
Change of name documents
What this requirement is This requirement is for documents that link your current legal name to any previous names you have used. For partner visas, Home…
National identity card
What This Requirement Is A national identity card is a government-issued identity document used in some countries. For a Partner visa application, Home Affairs…
Driver's license
What This Requirement Is A driver's licence is an optional supporting document for the subclass 801 stage. It can help in two ways: Identity support — it is an…

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Character Requirements

Australian Federal Police check

Included free

Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check

This requirement is for an AFP National Police Check for time spent in Australia.

The applicant must provide one if they have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.

The sponsor must also provide one if the sponsor has spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.

Critical: Home Affairs does not accept National Police Certificates issued by Australian state or territory police for this purpose. Use the AFP process only.

What it is

Why it matters

Providing the wrong Australian police check, or providing one that is too old by the time the Department assesses the case, can lead to delays or a further request for documents.

You should also answer all character questions truthfully in the visa or sponsorship process. A police certificate is only one part of the character assessment.

Exactly what to provide

Type: AFP National Police Check for Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship
Who needs it: The applicant if the applicant meets the Australian residence threshold above, and the sponsor if the sponsor meets that threshold above
Format: AFP checks are commonly issued digitally; upload the PDF or other official result issued by the AFP
Currency: Home Affairs says police certificates should generally be issued within 12 months before application, and for Australian police certificates it may ask for a new one if more than 15 months has passed since issue by the time the case is assessed

How to apply

Go to the AFP National Police Checks page at afp.gov.au
Start an online National Police Check application
Select the purpose type for Code 33 - Immigration/Citizenship
Complete the identity verification steps using your own identity documents
Pay the AFP fee shown in the portal. At the time of review, the online application fee is approximately AUD $56 per person, but check the AFP page for the current amount before applying
Download the issued result and upload it to ImmiAccount

Sponsor note: The sponsor obtains their own AFP check separately. In practice, the sponsor's police documents are usually provided with the sponsorship side of the partner application.

For the permanent (801) stage

Do not assume a new AFP check is automatically required for every 801 assessment.

If you are preparing Stage 2 documents and your earlier AFP check is already old, it is sensible to check whether a fresh certificate is likely to be needed rather than waiting until the last minute.

Practical tips

Apply early enough that you can still respond if the AFP application is delayed or the Department later asks for an updated check
Use the AFP process only; do not substitute NSW Police, Victoria Police, Queensland Police, or another state or territory police certificate
Keep a copy of the issued AFP result outside ImmiAccount
Make sure the police certificate belongs to the correct person. The applicant and sponsor cannot share one certificate
If you have criminal history, make sure your answers across the application forms and supporting documents are consistent with the police certificate and any court records

Common mistakes to avoid

applying for the wrong purpose or wrong Australian police check
uploading a state or territory police certificate instead of the AFP result
assuming that because one person needs an AFP check, the other person automatically does too
waiting too long and ending up with an AFP certificate that is too old by the time Home Affairs reviews the case
failing to upload the certificate to the correct person's documents in ImmiAccount

Overseas police clearances
Overseas police clearances are required from every country outside Australia where you have lived for a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since…
Form 80 - Personal particulars
What this requirement is Form 80 - Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment is a Home Affairs form used to gather detailed background…
Military service records
What this requirement is If you have served in any country's armed forces, you should provide military service records or discharge papers to support the…
Character statutory declaration
What This Requirement Is This item is best understood as supporting explanatory evidence for a character issue, not as a standard mandatory subclass 801…

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Health Requirements

Health examination

Included free

What this requirement is

Why it matters

Home Affairs assesses whether an applicant's health could pose a public-health risk or be likely to result in significant health-care or community-service costs in Australia.

What examinations may be required

The exact examination set depends on your age, medical history, country-specific risk factors, and any issues identified during screening. Common requirements include:

Examination	Typical application
Medical examination (501)	Core examination for applicants who are required to undertake an immigration medical examination
Chest X-ray (502)	Commonly required from age 11 and over
HIV test (707)	Generally required for permanent and provisional visa applicants aged 15 and over, and in some younger-risk cases
Hepatitis B test (708)	Required only in specified cases, such as certain 15+ permanent/provisional applicants and some other risk-based categories
Other tests or specialist reports	May be required depending on findings, pregnancy, tuberculosis risk, or other medical history

For Stage 2, do not assume you need to repeat every test from the 820 stage. Follow the examination list linked to your HAP ID or any request letter from Home Affairs.

How to get a HAP ID and arrange the examination

Check whether Home Affairs has asked for examinations in ImmiAccount or in a request letter. For Partner visa applicants, Home Affairs says you can complete health examinations after you apply, and it will let you know if expired examinations need to be redone.
Use the HAP ID provided by Home Affairs. If your visa application was lodged online, the HAP ID is usually shown in the referral letter connected to the health request. If you are completing examinations upfront for an eligible visa, a HAP ID can also be issued through My Health Declarations.
Book with the correct provider:
- In Australia: book through Bupa Medical Visa Services
- Outside Australia: book with a Home Affairs-approved panel physician
Attend with your passport, HAP ID, and relevant medical records. If additional tests are required, the clinic will tell you what to do next.
Results are submitted electronically through eMedical. You usually do not upload the medical results yourself.

Timing and validity

Health examination results are usually valid for 12 months.
If Home Affairs asks you to sign a health undertaking, the health results are usually valid for 6 months.
Home Affairs says it will tell you if you need to do the examinations again after they expire.
Because the 801 stage can take time, avoid self-booking repeat medicals without checking whether Home Affairs has actually requested them.

Family members

Family members included in the permanent visa stage may also need to meet the health requirement.
In some cases, non-migrating family members may also be assessed against the health requirement.
Children can have different examination sets from adults, so follow the HAP-linked instructions rather than assuming everyone needs the same tests.

Costs

Practical tips

Do not book blindly. At the 801 stage, check ImmiAccount first and follow any request letter or HAP-linked examination list.
Disclose medical history honestly. It is better to explain a known condition up front than have it emerge later during screening.
Keep proof of booking and attendance in case you need extra time or need to show you acted within the requested timeframe.
If you are pregnant or have a history of TB or another significant condition, tell the clinic before the appointment because the examination set or timing may change.
If Home Affairs requests more information, respond within the timeframe given or request more time before the deadline if needed.

Chest x-ray results
What this requirement is A chest X-ray is part of Australia's migration health assessment for tuberculosis (TB) screening. For permanent visa applicants, it is…
Additional health tests
What this requirement is Home Affairs may require additional health tests or specialist reports as part of your migration health assessment for the subclass…
Health insurance evidence
What this requirement is For the subclass 801 visa, private health insurance is not a Department of Home Affairs document requirement and is not a visa…

See 3 more →

Statutory Declarations

Form 888 - Supporting statement

Included free

What Is Form 888?

Why It Matters

For Stage 2, the most useful statements are those that speak to the current relationship and the period since lodgement, not just how the relationship looked at the initial 820 stage.

Who Can Complete It

The current Home Affairs form says it must be completed by a person who:

knows the visa applicant and their partner and the history of the relationship
is at least 18 years of age

Avoid relying on people who only know the relationship indirectly, only know one of you, or can offer only vague support.

Important: Form 888 is a third-party supporting statement. It is separate from any statutory declaration Home Affairs asks the applicant or sponsor to provide.

How Many Should You Prepare?

In practice:

check what your ImmiAccount document request or Stage 2 request specifically asks for
make sure the statements you provide are detailed and relevant
prioritise quality and first-hand detail over collecting a large number of repetitive statements

What a Strong Form 888 Should Cover

Ask the witness to address:

How they know both of you
How long they have known each of you and how often they are in contact with you
What they have personally observed about your relationship
Why they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing
For the 801 stage, examples from the period since lodgement showing the relationship has continued over time

Useful details can include visits to your home, time spent with you as a couple, family events, travel, shared milestones, and other concrete observations.

Weak statements are usually short, generic, and unsupported. Strong statements are specific, factual, and based on direct experience.

How to Complete and Submit It

Download the current Form 888 from the Department of Home Affairs website
Ask the witness to complete the form in English or provide a translation if needed
If there is not enough space, attach extra pages
Make sure the witness signs the form and attaches their identity evidence, and citizenship or permanent residency evidence if applicable
Upload the completed form to the partner visa application in ImmiAccount

The current Form 888 PDF does not include the older authorised-witness / JP signing section. Do not assume a separate witnessing step is required unless Home Affairs specifically asks for one.

Practical Tips

Use current witnesses where possible. For Stage 2, the statement should cover the period since your original application, not just the early relationship history.
Do not script the statement. You can tell the witness what topics matter, but the wording should be their own.
Attach the identity documents the form asks for. Missing identity evidence can weaken the usefulness of the form.
Keep the timing sensible. There is no stated formal expiry on the form, but a recent statement is usually more persuasive than an old one.
Do not treat Form 888 as a substitute for your other evidence. You still need updated financial, household, social, and commitment evidence for the 801 assessment.

Key Resources

Form 888: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/888.pdf
Subclass 801 visa page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore/permanent-801
Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions

Applicant's statutory declaration
What Is This Document? An applicant's statutory declaration is your own formal written statement about the relationship, made under the Statutory Declarations…
Sponsor's statutory declaration
What Is This Document? The sponsor's statutory declaration is the sponsor's own formal written statement about the relationship for the Stage 2 subclass 801…
Additional supporting statements
What This Requirement Is Additional supporting statements are extra third-party statements from people who know your relationship and can speak to how it has…

See 3 more →

Lodgement & Payment

Stage 2 evidence request responded to

Included free

What this requirement is

This step is where you provide updated evidence showing that your relationship has remained genuine and continuing since lodgement.

Why it matters

Respond within the timeframe Home Affairs gives you. Partner visa requests often allow about 28 days, but you must follow the actual deadline in your correspondence.

If you do not respond in time, Home Affairs can decide the permanent stage on the material already available. A weak, incomplete, or late Stage 2 response can put the subclass 801 outcome at risk.

How to lodge or respond at Stage 2

If 2 years have passed since you first applied and you need to initiate Stage 2 yourself:

Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
Select New application → Family
Select Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)
Complete the online form using your original Application ID
Upload your updated supporting evidence
Keep a copy of what you submitted

If Home Affairs has already written to you, follow the instructions in that request and upload the material through the channel they specify.

What updated evidence to provide

1. Updated relationship evidence across the four pillars

Financial aspects

Recent joint bank account statements
Shared lease, mortgage, utility bills, or other evidence of shared expenses
Evidence of joint purchases, insurance, or other financial commitments made since lodgement

Nature of the household

Documents showing you have continued living together, such as tenancy, property, or address evidence
Mail or records showing the same residential address
A short explanation of how household responsibilities are shared, if useful

Social aspects

Updated supporting statements from people who know the relationship
Photos, travel records, invitations, or other social evidence covering the period since lodgement
Evidence of family events, holidays, or shared community activities

Commitment

Updated personal statements from you and your partner explaining how the relationship has continued, your current living arrangements, and future plans
Wills, superannuation beneficiary nominations, insurance records, or other evidence of long-term commitment if available

2. Supporting witness statements and Form 888

Form 888 is a supporting statement form used to help show the social aspects of the relationship
The current Form 888 does not require signing before a JP or other authorised witness
A witness should be 18 or older, know both parties and the relationship history, and attach the identity evidence the form asks for
Updated statements are most useful when they describe specific observations during the Stage 2 period, not just the early relationship history
Home Affairs may ask for up to 3 separate statements during processing, so follow any case-specific request carefully

3. Statements from the applicant and partner

It is helpful to include updated statements from both partners covering:

That the relationship is still genuine and continuing
Current living arrangements and cohabitation
Financial arrangements and household responsibilities
Important developments since lodgement
Future plans together

4. Updated identity or change documents

Include updated identity documents if something has changed since Stage 1, for example:

New passport details
Change-of-name documents
Updated address or contact information where relevant

5. Police certificates or other requested checks

Deadlines and extension requests

If you cannot provide everything by the deadline:

Request extra time before the original response period expires
Use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form if needed
Include evidence of the steps you have already taken, such as payment receipts, booking confirmations, or application acknowledgements

Home Affairs does not guarantee extensions.

Practical guidance

Start preparing before the 2-year mark. Keep collecting joint documents, photos, travel records, and other proof throughout the waiting period so the Stage 2 response is easier to assemble.

Prioritise updated evidence. The permanent stage is about showing the relationship has continued since the original application, not simply re-uploading the same Stage 1 bundle.

Use precise, consistent statements. Your own statements and any witness statements should align on key facts such as dates, addresses, major events, and living arrangements.

Check ImmiAccount regularly. Home Affairs may send follow-up requests after your Stage 2 submission.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting too long to start collecting updated evidence
Missing the deadline in the Home Affairs request
Treating Form 888 as if it must be witnessed like a statutory declaration
Uploading vague witness statements that do not address the period since lodgement
Assuming police certificates are automatically required without checking the actual request
Re-uploading only old Stage 1 documents without clear updated evidence

No additional application fee for Stage 2
What this means The subclass 801 assessment is part of the original combined 820/801 Partner visa application. There is no separate visa application charge for…

See 1 more →

Post-Grant

Permanent residency confirmed

Included free

What Is This Requirement?

Why It Matters

Knowing your rights and acting promptly after grant prevents you from missing critical windows. In particular:

the 5-year travel facility generally runs from the 801 grant date
the citizenship permanent-residence date is usually the grant date if you were in Australia, or your first arrival in Australia on that permanent visa if you were outside Australia when it was granted

Important: If you were outside Australia when the 801 was granted, your citizenship permanent-residence clock does not start until you physically arrive in Australia on that visa. Return as soon as practical if citizenship timing matters to you.

What You Now Have as a Permanent Resident

Right	Detail
Live in Australia	Indefinitely — no expiry date on your residency
Work	Unlimited — any employer, any occupation, any hours
Study	Unlimited — access to fees and student-loan schemes depends on the course and provider; permanent residents may be eligible for Commonwealth supported places in some cases but are not usually eligible for HELP loans
Medicare	Full access — enrol or update your Medicare enrolment immediately
Travel	5-year travel facility from the 801 grant date
Social security	May be eligible, but waiting periods and residence rules vary by payment and personal circumstances
Sponsor family	May sponsor eligible relatives for certain Australian visas
Citizenship	Eligible to apply after meeting residency requirements (see below)

How to Confirm Your Status

Step 4 — Update Your Records Notify relevant organisations of your permanent residency status: your employer, bank, superannuation fund, and any government agencies you interact with.

Key Dates to Record Immediately

Write these down as soon as the grant lands:

801 grant date — the official start of your permanent residency
5-year travel facility expiry — the date by which you must return to Australia after overseas travel, or hold a Resident Return Visa (or citizenship)
Citizenship eligibility date — generally 4 years after first becoming lawfully present in Australia, including at least 1 year as a permanent resident

Tip: The citizenship 4-year clock includes time on the Subclass 820 temporary visa, but the mandatory 1 year as a permanent resident can only be counted from your 801 grant date. Don't conflate the two.

Pro Tips

Apply for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157), or
Apply for Australian citizenship — Australian citizens use an Australian passport and face no travel facility restrictions

What Happens Next

After confirming your permanent residency, your key next steps are:

Enrol in or update Medicare — do this promptly
Check Centrelink eligibility — understand which payments you may qualify for and when your waiting period ends
Plan for your travel facility expiry — calendar a reminder 6 months before it expires to apply for citizenship or a Resident Return Visa
Track your citizenship eligibility — use the Home Affairs citizenship eligibility calculator at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au when you approach the 4-year mark
Keep your ImmiAccount and contact details up to date — the Department may still contact you if any post-decision matters arise

Pathway to Australian citizenship
What This Requirement Is Holding a Subclass 801 permanent visa means you can plan for Australian citizenship by conferral if you later meet the citizenship…
Travel facility and Resident Return Visa
What This Requirement Is When your Subclass 801 permanent partner visa is granted, you usually receive a 5-year travel facility from the date of grant. This is…

See 2 more →

ReRooted provides general information to help you organise your application. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the Department of Home Affairs and/or a registered migration agent for advice.

Want the full walkthrough? Read the complete 820/801 partner-visa checklist guide — the evidence categories, the process flow, fees, and common mistakes in one place.

Common questions

Subclass 801 — your questions, organised.

What is the 801 visa?: The subclass 801 is the permanent residence stage of the onshore partner visa. It follows the temporary subclass 820, roughly two years after the original combined application was lodged. You do not lodge or pay again — when the Department invites you, you provide updated evidence that the relationship has continued.
What is on the 801 visa second-stage checklist?: The 801 second-stage checklist asks for updated evidence across the same four relationship pillars assessed at the 820 stage — financial, household, social, and commitment — covering the period since the 820 was granted. Wait for the Department’s request in ImmiAccount before submitting; sending 801 evidence early, before it is invited, is a common mistake.
What are the 801 visa requirements?: To be granted the subclass 801 you generally need to still hold the subclass 820, still be in a genuine and continuing relationship with the same sponsor, and meet the character requirements. The relationship must have continued to the permanent stage. Some applicants — for example where the relationship is long-standing or there are children — may have the 801 assessed sooner, but those exceptions are narrow.
When can I apply for the 801 second stage, and how do I start it?: Eligibility for the permanent subclass 801 is generally measured from when you first lodged the combined 820/801 application — usually about two years after that lodgement date, not two years after the 820 was granted. You do not lodge a new application or pay a second fee. When the time comes, the Department of Home Affairs invites you to provide updated evidence; in ImmiAccount this is typically done by logging in and completing the Stage 2 permanent partner visa assessment for your existing application. Follow the Department’s invitation or the Stage 2 task in ImmiAccount before submitting second-stage evidence, and confirm your eligibility date and the current steps in ImmiAccount. A narrow set of long-standing relationships can be assessed for the 801 sooner, but those exceptions are limited.
What happens to an 820 or 801 partner visa if the relationship breaks down?: A partner visa generally depends on the relationship continuing to the permanent 801 stage, so if the relationship ends before a decision the Department of Home Affairs expects you to tell it — notifying a relationship cessation is a condition of the visa — because the visa can be affected. There are, however, limited provisions that can allow the permanent visa to still be granted despite the relationship ending: where there has been family violence by the sponsoring partner (against you or a member of your family unit), where the sponsor has died (and you would have met the requirements but for the death and have developed close ties in Australia), or where you and your former sponsor have a child of the relationship and you have joint custody of, or access to, that child. In each case the Department must first be satisfied the relationship was genuine before it ended. These provisions are specific and evidence-based, and family-violence claims in particular follow a defined process. Because the outcome turns entirely on your circumstances and the current regulations, do not rely on other people’s outcomes — notify the Department and get advice from a registered migration agent, or contact a family-violence support service if you are affected. This is general information, not legal advice.
My partner visa was refused and I appealed to the Tribunal — what happens at the hearing?: A review hearing is generally conducted by a Tribunal member who explains the process, asks questions, and gives you an opportunity to present information relevant to the review. The exact questions cannot be predicted because they depend on the reasons for refusal, the evidence, and the issues the Tribunal must decide. A sensible starting point is to read the refusal decision and the Tribunal’s documents carefully, identify each issue raised, and organise current evidence that directly addresses those points; the Tribunal says you may provide new information supporting your case, and its procedures vary with the type of decision under review. Follow every deadline and direction in the Tribunal’s correspondence, and arrange an interpreter or other support early if needed. Because a refused partner visa under review turns on its specific evidence, consider advice from a registered migration agent. This is general information, not legal advice.

Other Australia visas

ReRooted supports 8 DHA visa pathways.

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Organise this checklist in one place.

Every requirement above is wired into a tracker built for Subclass 801. Free to start.

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Your partner visa, organised.

Subclass 801 — Partner (Permanent) checklist

The hard part isn’t the form — it’s the evidence.

What the subclass 801 partner visa is

When the 801 stage opens

How the 801 second-stage checklist is organised

What permanent residence on the 801 gives you

Your status while you wait

Common pitfalls

Headline numbers for Subclass 801.

What you lodge — organised the way the application reads.

Pre-Application Eligibility

Sponsor Eligibility

Financial Aspects

Nature of Household

Social Aspects

Nature of Commitment

Identity Documents

Character Requirements

Health Requirements

Statutory Declarations

Lodgement & Payment

Post-Grant

The first item in every category — guidance included, free.

Pre-Application Eligibility

Two-year eligibility date confirmed

What This Requirement Is

Why It Matters

How to Find Your Eligibility Date

How to Initiate Stage 2

Exceptions to the Two-Year Wait

What Evidence Stage 2 Requires

Pro Tips

Key Contacts and Resources

Exception eligibility check

Relationship still genuine and continuing

Sponsor Eligibility

Sponsor approval still valid

What This Requirement Is

Why It Matters

What Usually Means the Sponsorship Is Still Current

What Can Affect This Requirement

Sponsor Withdrawal

Relationship Breakdown or Change

Sponsor Cooperation at Stage 2

How to Check It in Practice

If the Relationship Has Broken Down

The Sponsor's Stage 2 Declaration

Pro Tips

Key Resources

Updated sponsor police certificates

Financial Aspects

Joint bank account statements

What This Requirement Is

Why It Matters

What to Provide

If You Do Not Have a Joint Account

How to Prepare the Evidence

What Case Officers Are Likely Looking For

Common Issues to Avoid

Stronger and Weaker Examples

What Else to Include Alongside Statements

Key Resources

Joint loan or mortgage documents

Joint utility accounts

Joint insurance policies

Evidence of shared expenses

Joint tax returns or financial declarations

Nature of Household

Proof of shared residence

What this requirement is

What to provide

If your evidence is not straightforward

Practical tips

Common mistakes

Stage 2 (subclass 801)

Strong vs weak examples

Lease or rental agreement

Property ownership documents

Household bills at shared address