Your partner visa, organised.

What this requirement means

The Subclass 820 is an onshore partner visa. Home Affairs lists physical presence in Australia at the moment the application is lodged through ImmiAccount as a requirement for the onshore 820. Home Affairs treats an application lodged from outside Australia as invalid.

According to Home Affairs: the applicant is expected to be in Australia at the time of applying. If members of the family unit are included in the application, Home Affairs states they must also be in Australia at lodgement.

---

Why this matters

If you lodge while outside Australia, Home Affairs can treat the application as invalid. In practice, that means:

• You will not have made a valid onshore 820 application
• You generally will not receive a Bridging Visa A tied to that application
• Your existing visa will continue on its own terms and expiry date
• You may need to re-lodge from inside Australia, or use the offshore Subclass 309/100 pathway instead
• The visa application charge is generally not refunded for an invalid application

---

What you need to confirm

1. You are in Australia on the day and at the time you lodge the application
2. Any family members included in the application are also in Australia at that time
3. You understand your current visa status and conditions before lodging, especially whether you hold a substantive visa, a bridging visa, or no valid visa at all

---

How to verify your status

1. Check your current visa details in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) at vevo.homeaffairs.gov.au
2. Confirm for yourself that you are physically in Australia when you press submit; VEVO does not verify your location
3. Check whether your current visa has a No Further Stay condition such as 8503, 8534, or 8535
4. If you are unlawful, on a bridging visa, or do not hold a substantive visa, review the separate Schedule 3 and visa-history requirements in this checklist before lodging

---

Important edge cases and pro tips

• You do NOT need to be in Australia when Home Affairs decides the temporary visa application. For the 820, the critical rule is where you are when you apply, not where you are when the decision is made.
• Do not try to lodge while travelling. If you are flying that day or close to departure, lodge only while you are clearly still in Australia and keep the lodgement confirmation.
• If you leave Australia while holding a Bridging Visa A (BVA), that BVA will cease. If you need to travel after lodging and before the 820 is decided, you would usually need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) to return.
• If you do not hold a substantive visa at lodgement, an onshore application may still be possible, but extra validity criteria can apply, including Schedule 3 issues. This is a high-risk situation and is worth checking carefully before you lodge.
• If you are unlawful, do not assume the 820 pathway is impossible, but do treat it as urgent. Onshore partner applicants in this position can face additional legal hurdles and should get tailored advice promptly.

---

What if you are outside Australia?

If you are overseas, the onshore Subclass 820 is not available at that moment. Your options are usually:

• Return to Australia on a visa that lets you enter lawfully, then lodge from inside Australia if you meet the other requirements
• Apply for the offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) instead

---

Common mistakes to avoid

• Lodging from overseas during a holiday or trip
• Forgetting that included family members must also be in Australia at lodgement
• Assuming being unlawful automatically bars an onshore application — the real issue is that extra validity criteria may apply
• Not checking visa conditions before lodging — a No Further Stay condition such as 8503, 8534, or 8535 can block a valid onshore application

What this requirement means

For partner and prospective marriage sponsorships, the key lifetime-limit rule is in Migration Regulations 1994 reg 1.20J. In practical terms, Home Affairs will usually not approve a sponsorship if more than one other person has already been granted a relevant partner or prospective marriage outcome based on this sponsor's earlier sponsorship. That means a sponsor is generally limited to two successful partner/prospective marriage sponsorship outcomes in total.

For this check, the important point is that the regulation is tied to a previous grant to another person, not just any old application being lodged. A previous refused or clearly withdrawn before grant application should not, by itself, use up one of the two lifetime sponsorship slots.

Plain-English rule: A sponsor is usually allowed to sponsor up to two partners or prospective spouses across their lifetime. A third successful sponsorship is generally blocked unless Home Affairs decides there are compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor.

---

What counts toward the limit

The lifetime limit can be reached through earlier sponsorships connected to:

• Partner visa (subclass 820/801) applications
• Partner visa (subclass 309/100) applications
• Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) applications
• A previous case where the earlier applicant was granted because of the sponsor, including some cases where the relationship later ceased after family violence committed by the sponsor

What generally does not count toward this specific lifetime cap:

• A previous partner or prospective marriage application that was refused
• A sponsorship application that was withdrawn before any relevant grant
• Sponsorships for unrelated visa categories such as parent or child visas
• Previous marriages or relationships that never involved an Australian partner/prospective marriage sponsorship

Because immigration histories can be messy, the safest approach is still to disclose the full history and let Home Affairs assess it.

---

Why this matters

If the sponsor has already reached the lifetime limit, the sponsorship may not be approved and the partner visa case can fail unless Home Affairs exercises discretion. This is therefore a pre-lodgement risk check, not something to leave until after the application is filed.

It also interacts with two separate sponsor restrictions:

• Five-year waiting period after sponsoring someone else: if one earlier person was granted on this sponsor's sponsorship, at least 5 years must usually have passed since the date of the earlier application that led to that grant
• Five-year rule if the sponsor was themselves previously sponsored: if the sponsor was granted a partner or prospective marriage outcome as another person's spouse, de facto partner, or prospective spouse, a separate 5-year restriction may apply

A sponsor can be under the lifetime cap and still fail one of the 5-year rules. All of these checks need to be satisfied.

---

How to check the sponsor's history

Step 1 — Ask direct questions

Ask the sponsor:

1. Have you ever sponsored anyone for a partner visa or prospective marriage visa?
2. Was that person actually granted a visa or permanent partner outcome because of your sponsorship?
3. When was the earlier application lodged? This matters for the separate 5-year rule
4. Were you yourself ever granted a partner or prospective marriage outcome through an earlier relationship? This matters for the separate "previously sponsored" restriction

Step 2 — Verify if dates or outcomes are unclear

If the sponsor is unsure, they can:

• Check their old records in ImmiAccount
• Request their immigration records through Freedom of Information (FOI) with Home Affairs
• Use the Partner Processing Enquiry Form if they need to clarify process issues with Home Affairs

Step 3 — Record the result accurately

The sponsor should answer the sponsorship questions in ImmiAccount honestly and consistently with their records. Do not guess if the history is uncertain; verify it first.

---

If the sponsor may already have two counted grants

If the sponsor appears to have already sponsored two people who were granted a relevant partner or prospective marriage outcome, treat the case as high risk.

Regulation 1.20J does allow Home Affairs to approve a sponsorship if it is satisfied there are compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor. That is an area of discretion, not an entitlement, so applicants should not assume it will be exercised. If a case depends on this discretion, it is sensible to get tailored advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before lodging.

---

Common mistakes to avoid

• Counting every old application as a lifetime-limit hit. For this rule, the critical question is whether another person was actually granted the relevant outcome because of the sponsor.
• Confusing the lifetime limit with the 5-year waiting rule. They are separate restrictions and are measured differently.
• Assuming old history is irrelevant. There is no short expiry period for the lifetime cap; very old granted sponsorships can still matter.
• Ignoring family-violence-related outcomes. Some earlier grants after relationship breakdown can still count if the grant was connected to family violence by the sponsor.
• Relying only on memory. If the sponsor is unsure, verify the history through records before lodging.

---

Practical examples

Scenario 1 — One refused old case only: The sponsor lodged a subclass 300 sponsorship years ago, but it was refused and no visa was granted. That refused case should not by itself use up one of the two lifetime sponsorship slots, although it may still matter for other questions and should still be disclosed.

Scenario 2 — One earlier grant: The sponsor previously sponsored one partner who was granted a subclass 309/100 outcome. That counts as one toward the lifetime limit. They may still be able to sponsor again, subject to the separate 5-year rule and other sponsor requirements.

Scenario 3 — Two earlier grants: The sponsor has already sponsored two people who were each granted a relevant partner/prospective marriage outcome. A new sponsorship is generally not approvable unless Home Affairs is satisfied there are compelling circumstances affecting the sponsor.

---

Key references

• Partner visa (apply in Australia) page: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/partner-onshore
• Partner visa FAQs / Partner Processing Enquiry Form access: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
• Migration Regulations 1994 reg 1.20J: limitations on approval of partner/prospective marriage sponsorships
• ImmiAccount: online.immi.gov.au
• Freedom of Information requests: homeaffairs.gov.au

What This Requirement Is

Joint bank account statements are a strong example of evidence under the Financial Aspects pillar of a partner visa application. Home Affairs uses financial evidence to assess whether you and your partner share financial responsibilities or are financially interdependent.

Home Affairs specifically lists joint bank account statements showing regular use by both partners as an example of relevant relationship evidence.

---

Why It Matters

Financial evidence is one of the four categories Home Affairs considers when assessing whether a relationship is genuine and continuing. Joint bank account statements can help because they:

• Show both partners' names on the same account
• Show whether the account is used for real day-to-day shared expenses
• Create a dated record that can be compared with your other evidence, such as lease documents, utility bills, and relationship statements

A joint account is helpful, but it is not mandatory. If you do not have one, you can still show financial interdependence through other evidence such as shared bills, joint loans, regular transfers, or proof that one partner supports the other financially.

---

Exactly What to Provide

• Full joint account statements for the period you have held the account, especially the period most relevant to your relationship and application
• If possible, include statements covering recent months and key periods of cohabitation or shared financial responsibility
• Statements should clearly show:
  • Both partners' names on the account
  • The statement period
  • Transaction history showing regular, genuine use of the account
  • Enough account detail to identify the account consistently across statements
• If the joint account was opened recently, include statements from the date it was opened plus other financial evidence from before that date
• If you have more than one joint account, include the statements that best show your shared financial arrangements
• If the statements are not in English, provide English translations in line with Home Affairs document requirements

Formal statements are better than screenshots because they are easier for a case officer to review and verify.

---

How to Obtain Statements

1. Download them from your online banking portal or banking app if available
2. If older statements are not visible online, request them from your bank
3. Save them in a clear format, usually PDF, and check that all pages are legible before uploading

Bank retrieval processes and timeframes vary, so request older statements early if you need them.

---

Pro Tips

• Regular use matters more than the balance. Home Affairs is usually looking for evidence that the account was actually used as part of your shared life, not just opened for the application.
• Recent accounts need context. If you opened the account shortly before lodgement, explain that and support it with other financial evidence.
• Use complementary evidence. Joint bank statements are stronger when they line up with other records such as lease documents, utility bills, insurance, shared purchases, or transfer records.
• Provide a short explanation if needed. If one partner mainly used the account, or if you kept separate day-to-day accounts for practical reasons, explain how your finances were actually managed.
• Be careful with redactions. Redacting too much can reduce the usefulness of the evidence. Only redact genuinely sensitive information where necessary.
• Check consistency. Dates, addresses, and your account usage should make sense alongside the rest of your application.

---

Strong vs Weak Evidence Examples

Stronger evidence:

• Statements over a meaningful period showing both names and regular shared spending such as rent, groceries, utilities, or transfers into a shared account
• A recently opened joint account supported by older transfer records, shared bills, or other proof of financial interdependence

Weaker evidence:

• A joint account opened shortly before application with little or no real activity
• Statements showing only one partner ever used the account, with no explanation
• Partial statements, missing pages, or unclear date coverage
• Screenshots of balances or isolated transactions instead of full statements

---

Practical Timing

There is no fixed rule that joint bank statements must cover a particular number of months. The strongest approach is to provide the statements you have for the account and make sure they help show the financial history of the relationship as accurately as possible.

What This Requirement Is

The Department of Home Affairs needs to see that you and your partner live together at the same address as a couple, or if you have spent time apart, that you are not living separately and apart on a permanent basis. This sits within the "Nature of Household" pillar — one of the four categories used to assess whether your relationship is genuine. Proof of shared residence helps show that your relationship involves a real shared domestic life, not just a romantic connection.

According to Home Affairs: the household evidence is expected to show that you and your partner live together, or if you do not, that you are not permanently separated. Applicants commonly provide consistent, overlapping material showing the same address across the course of the relationship.

---

Why It Matters

Shared-address evidence is an important part of the household evidence for a Partner visa application.

• Weak household evidence can lead to closer scrutiny of the relationship overall
• For de facto couples, shared-residence evidence is especially important because you usually need to show the de facto relationship existed for at least 12 months immediately before lodgement, unless an exemption applies
• Home Affairs will compare addresses and timelines across your forms, statements, and supporting documents, so unexplained inconsistencies can cause problems

---

Exactly What to Provide

Aim to submit multiple types of evidence showing the same shared address over time. One document on its own is rarely enough. Strong applications usually include a combination of:

Primary evidence (provide at least 2–3 of these if you can):

• Joint lease or rental agreement with both names listed as tenants
• Property title or mortgage documents showing joint ownership, or one partner's ownership supported by other documents showing both of you living there
• Council rates notices or strata/body corporate correspondence showing the shared address
• Government or institutional correspondence (for example from the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare, banks, insurers, or employers) showing the same residential address
• AEC enrolment details or enrolment history showing the same address, if relevant and available to you

Supporting evidence (include as many as are genuinely available):

• Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet) for the shared address
• Bank, superannuation, or insurance statements showing the same residential address for each partner
• Car registration or insurance documents listing the shared address
• Mail or emails addressed to each of you at the same address
• Statutory declarations from your landlord, property manager, housemates, neighbours, friends, or family who can genuinely confirm you both live at the property
• Private health insurance showing the same address or a couples/family policy
• Delivery confirmations or other routine records showing each partner using the same address

---

How to Obtain This Evidence

1. Gather existing documents first — check your email, paper records, and online accounts for leases, utility bills, statements, and letters that already show the shared address
2. Request address confirmations if needed — banks, insurers, super funds, and some employers can often issue a letter or statement confirming your recorded residential address
3. Check AEC records if applicable — if either or both of you are enrolled to vote, use the Australian Electoral Commission website to check enrolment details or contact the AEC about your enrolment history or personal information
4. Get statutory declarations where appropriate — if a landlord, property manager, housemate, neighbour, friend, or family member can genuinely confirm your living arrangement, ask them to prepare a statutory declaration and sign it before an authorised witness
5. Capture portal screenshots carefully — if an online account clearly shows your name and residential address, save a clear screenshot or PDF version showing both pieces of information

---

Pro Tips

• Cover the full timeline. Do not rely only on current evidence. Include documents from early, middle, and recent parts of the relationship. If you are applying as de facto, make sure the evidence supports the relevant 12-month period before lodgement unless an exemption applies.

• Both names help, but matching evidence also works. Joint documents are strong, but you can also use separate documents for each partner that show the same address over the same period.

• Address consistency is critical. Make sure the addresses and dates across your application forms, statements, Form 888s, bank records, and other supporting documents line up. If you moved during the relationship, explain when and why.

• Explain periods apart honestly. Short periods apart for work, travel, family reasons, or visa issues do not necessarily defeat the application, but you should explain them and provide evidence showing the relationship and household continued or resumed.

• If you are not currently living together, explain why you are not permanently separated and provide supporting evidence such as visits, ongoing shared expenses, communication, and your living-arrangement timeline.

• Quality matters more than repetition. A well-organised set of documents covering different dates and evidence types is better than repeated copies of the same material.

---

Examples

Strong evidence package:

• Joint lease agreement covering 14 months
• Bank or insurance statements for each partner showing the same residential address over overlapping periods
• Utility bills across several months at the same address
• Statutory declaration from the property manager confirming both partners have lived at the property since the lease began
• Additional institutional correspondence addressed to each partner at the same home

Weak evidence package:

• A single utility bill in one partner's name only
• A claim of cohabitation with no supporting documents
• Documents showing different addresses with no explanation of the discrepancy

---

Timelines

• De facto couples: The evidence should support that the de facto relationship existed for at least 12 months immediately before lodgement, unless you have a valid exemption such as a registered relationship or another recognised exemption
• Married couples: There is no minimum cohabitation period for the marriage itself, but applicants commonly still include evidence of living together, which Home Affairs groups under the household category
• Stage 2 (801): You should keep collecting updated shared-residence evidence after lodgement, because Home Affairs may ask for updated relationship evidence around the time the permanent stage is assessed
• How long to gather: Allow 2–4 weeks to collect missing records if you need letters, statements, or statutory declarations from third parties

What This Requirement Is

For a Partner visa, the Department of Home Affairs considers the social aspects of your relationship as one of the four relationship evidence areas. Official examples include joint invitations or evidence you used to go out together and proof of joint sporting, cultural, or social activities.

This requirement is about showing that you and your partner are seen socially as a couple by other people, not only in private.

---

Why It Matters

Joint social event attendance helps demonstrate that your relationship is recognised by family, friends, and the broader community. It is supporting evidence within the wider Social Aspects pillar, alongside items such as Form 888 declarations, proof you have friends in common, evidence you travelled together, and records showing others know about the relationship.

This is not a mandatory standalone document with one fixed format. The aim is to show a genuine pattern of attending social occasions together over time.

---

What to Provide

Provide the genuine evidence you have. Useful examples include:

• joint invitations or invitations addressed to both of you, such as weddings, birthdays, holiday gatherings, engagement parties, or community events
• photos from social events showing you together with other people, with enough context to understand the event
• tickets, booking confirmations, or RSVP records that help show you both attended the same event
• guest lists, seating plans, or event confirmations that include both partners, where available
• messages or emails from hosts or friends referring to you both attending
• social media posts or check-ins showing you attended events together, if dates and context are visible
• records of joint cultural, sporting, religious, or community events, where these are genuinely part of your shared social life

There is no fixed number of events you must prove. A smaller set of well-captioned, credible evidence spread across the relationship is usually more useful than a large batch from one occasion.

---

How to Prepare It

1. Choose events across your relationship timeline, not just very recent occasions.
2. Include both partners' social circles where possible, such as events involving each partner's family, friends, workplace, cultural community, or mutual friends.
3. Caption photos clearly with the date, event, location, and who is pictured.
4. Group related evidence together. For example, put the invitation, booking confirmation, and photos from the same event in one section.
5. Keep it consistent with your other evidence, including Form 888 statements, communication with family and friends, travel records, and your relationship timeline.
6. Explain any gaps or unusual circumstances briefly if your social evidence is limited because of distance, work patterns, privacy concerns, family non-acceptance, or similar factors.

---

Practical Tips

• Breadth is usually more helpful than repetition. A few different events over time are often stronger than many photos from one day.
• Everyday social occasions can still help. Informal dinners, barbecues, game nights, and family gatherings can be useful, not only major formal events.
• Group context matters. Photos with friends or family are often more useful than isolated couple selfies because they help show social recognition.
• Digital evidence can be used if it is genuine and the date/context can be understood.
• Do not manufacture evidence. Use real invitations, real photos, and real records created in the ordinary course of your relationship.
• If one side of the family or community is not involved, it is better to explain that honestly than to leave the case officer guessing.

---

Strong vs Weak Evidence

Stronger evidence:

• invitations, bookings, and photos from multiple events over time
• evidence covering both partners' social circles or shared community life
• captioned photos and records that line up with your wider relationship timeline

Weaker evidence:

• a single uncaptioned selfie with no date or context
• many similar photos from one event only
• evidence that does not show how the event fits into your relationship history
• items that conflict with your other social or household evidence

---

For Stage 2 (Subclass 801)

When Home Affairs later asks for updated evidence for the permanent stage, include newer social evidence from the period since lodgement. That helps show the relationship has continued to be socially recognised over time, rather than relying only on the material you used for the initial 820 assessment.

What This Is

A relationship history statement is a written account of how your relationship started, developed, and continues today. For Partner visa applications, personal statements from the applicant and sponsor are commonly used to explain the relationship timeline and to connect the other evidence you provide.

Home Affairs assesses whether the relationship is genuine and continuing by looking at the evidence as a whole, including the nature of your commitment, your social life together, your household arrangements, and your financial arrangements. A clear relationship history statement helps explain that evidence.

---

Why It Matters

This statement is useful because it gives context that documents alone may not show. It can help explain:

• how you met and how the relationship progressed over time
• important dates and milestones in a clear sequence
• periods of separation or unusual living arrangements
• how your day-to-day life and future plans fit with the other evidence in your application

A good statement should support the rest of your application, not replace it. The key facts in your statement should line up with your forms, Form 888 declarations, leases, travel records, financial records, and other supporting documents.

---

What to Include

A chronological statement is usually the clearest approach. Cover the parts of your relationship that are relevant to the application, such as:

1. How, when, and where you met
2. How the relationship developed and when it became serious or exclusive
3. When you started living together, if applicable, and how your living arrangements have worked over time
4. Major milestones such as engagement, marriage, meeting each other's families, moving house, or important trips
5. Your daily life together, including how you share responsibilities and spend time together
6. Periods of separation, including why you were apart, for how long, and how you stayed in contact
7. Your commitment to a shared future, such as where you plan to live, family plans, or practical steps you have taken together

If something that might matter to Home Affairs does not apply to you, explain that briefly rather than leaving an obvious gap.

---

How to Prepare It

• Write in your own words and in first person
• Keep it clear, chronological, and specific
• Use real dates, places, and addresses where you can do so accurately
• Explain any gaps, long-distance periods, or unusual circumstances honestly
• Make sure the statement is consistent with the rest of your evidence
• If you upload it as a standalone document, dating and signing it is sensible, even though Home Affairs' public guidance does not prescribe one fixed format for this kind of personal statement

There is no fixed page requirement in the public Partner visa guidance. The statement should be detailed enough to explain your relationship properly, but concise enough to stay readable.

---

Practical Tips

• Applicant and sponsor should normally provide separate statements. They can cover the same timeline, but each person should write in their own voice.
• Do not copy each other's wording. Similar facts are expected; identical text is not helpful.
• Refer to supporting evidence where useful. For example, mention a joint lease, travel booking, or shared address if that helps anchor the timeline.
• Be accurate rather than dramatic. You do not need polished or emotional language. Clear and truthful detail is more useful.
• Address weaker areas directly. If you had periods without cohabitation, limited joint finances, or limited social evidence for a genuine reason, say so and explain the context.

---

Common Problems to Avoid

• statements that are too vague to explain the relationship properly
• dates or facts that conflict with your forms or other evidence
• failing to explain periods of separation or changes in living arrangements
• copying the same wording into both partners' statements
• relying on the statement alone without enough supporting evidence in the other relationship categories

---

For Stage 2 (Subclass 801)

If Home Affairs later asks for updated material for the permanent stage, provide an updated statement or update letter covering the period since lodgement and showing that the relationship has continued. Follow any instructions given in ImmiAccount at that time.

---

Helpful Reminder

This statement is supporting evidence, not a substitute for the rest of the application. It works best when it fits neatly with your wider evidence across the four relationship areas Home Affairs considers.

What This Requirement Is

For the subclass 820 application, Home Affairs expects the applicant to provide their current passport pages showing their photo, personal details, and issue and expiry dates. In practice, this is usually the passport bio page, but if your passport spreads these details across more than one page, include all relevant pages.

This is a core identity document used to confirm who you are and to link any granted visa to your passport, as Australian visas are generally digital rather than physical labels.

---

What to Upload

Upload a clear copy of your current passport page or pages showing:

• Your photograph
• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your passport number
• Your nationality or citizenship
• The passport issue date
• The passport expiry date

If your passport has the key details split across two pages, upload both pages.

If you have renewed your passport after lodging, provide the new passport details promptly through ImmiAccount so Home Affairs has your current travel document information on file.

---

Quality and Preparation

• Use a clear colour scan or photograph
• Make sure all text and numbers are readable
• Do not crop out relevant information
• If there is glare, blur, or shadow over the details page, retake the image before uploading

A scanner is preferred, but a high-quality phone photo is usually fine if the page is flat and legible.

---

Translations and Certification

Home Affairs states that documents uploaded to ImmiAccount for this visa generally do not need to be certified unless the Department specifically asks for certification later.

If your passport details are not in English, provide an English translation with the original document:

• If translated in Australia, use a NAATI-certified translator
• If translated outside Australia, the translation should include the translator's full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and experience in the language translated, in English

Because many passports already include English text, a separate translation is often unnecessary, but provide one if the identity details cannot be read in English.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Uploading a blurry or cut-off image
• Uploading an old passport when you now hold a newer current passport
• Uploading only one page when your passport details are split across multiple pages
• Forgetting to update Home Affairs after getting a new passport during processing
• Letting the passport details in ImmiAccount differ from the details on the document you uploaded

---

Practical Notes

• You can continue uploading documents after lodgement through ImmiAccount if needed
• If your name on the passport differs from the name used elsewhere in the application, also provide the relevant change of name evidence under that separate requirement
• At the permanent stage (subclass 801), provide updated identity documents again if your passport has changed since the original application

What This Is

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check / National Police Certificate is the Australian police certificate Home Affairs uses for character checks. For Australian residence history, Home Affairs does not accept police certificates issued by state or territory police services. You must use the AFP process.

---

Who Usually Needs It

For the visa application, Home Affairs generally requires an Australian police certificate for the applicant and any included family member aged 16 or over who has spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16.

The 12-month threshold is cumulative. It does not have to be one continuous stay.

For the sponsorship side of a partner application, Home Affairs says sponsors should provide their Australian and any foreign police checks when they initially submit the sponsorship form. If the sponsor is required to provide an Australian check, it should also be obtained through the AFP using the correct Home Affairs settings below.

---

How to Apply

1. Go to afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks
2. Complete the AFP National Police Check application
3. When asked for the purpose type, select Commonwealth employment / purpose
4. When asked for the purpose of the check, use Code 33
5. Enter all names you have been known by so the certificate matches your immigration history
6. Upload the required identity documents and submit payment
7. Download the digital certificate when the AFP issues it, and upload it to ImmiAccount

Fingerprints are not usually required for a standard AFP National Police Check for Home Affairs purposes. If the AFP or Home Affairs specifically tells you fingerprints are needed, follow that instruction.

---

Fee and Timing

• Standard AFP National Police Check: AUD $56 per person
• If fingerprints are required: AUD $113 total

The AFP says it completes and posts most name-based checks within 48 hours of receiving the application, but some checks can take longer. Hard-copy certificates need postage time, and fingerprint checks can take 15 to 30 business days.

---

Validity

Home Affairs says it accepts police certificates issued in the 12 months before you apply for the visa. Because partner visa processing can be lengthy, the Department can later ask for an updated AFP check if the certificate becomes too old during processing.

A practical approach is to obtain the AFP check reasonably close to lodgement, rather than many months in advance.

---

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ordering a check from state or territory police instead of the AFP
• using the wrong AFP purpose settings instead of Commonwealth employment / purpose and Code 33
• leaving out former names, maiden names, aliases, or spelling variations
• assuming only the applicant matters and forgetting the sponsor may also need police checks for the sponsorship assessment
• obtaining the certificate too early, then having to redo it because it is outdated by the time Home Affairs reviews the file

---

If You Have Criminal History

Do not try to hide it. Declare it accurately in the visa application and provide any explanation or supporting material requested by Home Affairs. Character issues are assessed case by case, and non-disclosure can create a more serious problem than the record itself.

If there is any significant criminal history, pending charges, family violence history, or you are unsure what must be disclosed, get advice from a registered migration agent or Australian immigration lawyer before lodging.

---

Bottom Line

Use an AFP police check for Australian residence history, not a state police check. In the current AFP system, use Commonwealth employment / purpose and Code 33, make sure all names are included, and obtain the certificate close enough to lodgement that it is still current when you apply.

What This Requirement Is

For a Partner visa, Home Affairs may require you and any family members included in your application to complete immigration health examinations. These examinations must be done through the Department's approved health examination system using a HAP ID and the correct approved provider.

The purpose is to assess whether you meet Australia's health requirement. Home Affairs looks at issues such as risks to public health and whether a condition could be expected to result in significant healthcare or community service costs.

---

Why It Matters

Home Affairs will not grant the visa until any required health examinations have been completed and assessed.

Your health assessment results are generally valid for 12 months from the date you complete the examinations. If they expire before a decision is made, Home Affairs may ask you to complete further examinations, which can delay the application and create extra cost.

---

What Examinations Are Required

The exact examinations are set by Home Affairs for your case. For permanent visa applicants, the Department's published materials say applicants may be asked to undergo:

• a medical examination
• a chest X-ray if aged 11 or over
• an HIV test if aged 15 or over
• any additional tests requested by the Department or a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC)

The list in your HAP referral letter is the one that matters. Do not assume every applicant will have the exact same test set.

---

How to Arrange It

1. Get your HAP ID. If you have already lodged online, your HAP ID will be in the health referral letter generated through ImmiAccount. In some cases, applicants can organise examinations upfront before lodgement using My Health Declarations to obtain a HAP ID.

2. Book with the correct provider. In Australia, Home Affairs directs applicants to book through Bupa Medical Visa Services. Outside Australia, you must use an approved panel physician or clinic listed by Home Affairs.

3. Bring the right documents. Bring your HAP ID, your passport, and any relevant medical information the clinic asks for.

4. Attend the appointment and complete all required tests. The clinic records and submits the results electronically to Home Affairs through eMedical. You do not normally upload the medical report yourself.

5. Check the status after the appointment. If you applied online, you can monitor the health assessment section in ImmiAccount. You can also use eMedical Client to see whether the examinations have been submitted.

---

Timing

• You do not always need to wait until after lodgement if your visa pathway allows upfront medicals through My Health Declarations
• If you do not use that upfront pathway, you need to wait until you have been given a HAP ID
• Completing medicals early can help make the application more decision-ready, but results can expire after 12 months, so timing still matters
• If Home Affairs gives you a timeframe in a health examination request letter and you cannot attend in time, you should notify the Department through ImmiAccount

---

Costs

The examinations are paid out of pocket. Fees are set by the clinic and can vary by location and by whether extra tests are needed. Home Affairs does not publish a single fixed fee for all applicants, so check the current price when booking.

Each person who must complete health examinations will usually need their own appointment and fee.

---

If a Health Issue Is Identified

Having a health issue does not automatically mean refusal. Depending on the case, Home Affairs may:

• clear the health assessment without further action
• ask for more information or more tests
• refer the case to a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC)
• ask you to sign a health undertaking

If Home Affairs asks you to sign a health undertaking, the undertaking is valid for 6 months. If you do not sign it when requested, Home Affairs will not grant the visa.

---

Important Tips

• Use the correct provider only. Examinations from an ordinary GP or non-approved clinic are not accepted.
• Do not attend without your HAP ID. Home Affairs states the clinic cannot locate your case in eMedical without it.
• Follow the exact test list in your referral. The HAP letter controls what you need to complete.
• Be truthful about your medical history. Omissions can complicate the assessment and lead to extra enquiries.
• Keep an eye on status after the appointment. The clinic can tell you whether results were submitted, and you can then check ImmiAccount or eMedical Client for progress.
• If you recently completed immigration medicals for another linked visa stage, do not assume you must repeat them immediately. Home Affairs may tell you whether new examinations are needed.

What this requirement is

Form 888 is the Department of Home Affairs Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application. For a Partner (Temporary) Subclass 820 application, it is third-party relationship evidence used mainly to support the social aspects of your relationship.

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

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

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

---

Important correction about the current form

Older guidance often describes Form 888 as a witnessed statutory declaration completed only by Australian citizens or permanent residents. The current Home Affairs Form 888 is different.

For the current form:

• it is titled Supporting statement, not Statutory Declaration by a Supporting Witness
• the form itself does not tell the witness to sign before a Justice of the Peace, lawyer, or other authorised witness
• the form itself does not say every supporting witness must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Home Affairs says you may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during processing

That means you should follow the current form and your actual ImmiAccount checklist or case officer request, not outdated guides.

---

Why it matters

Form 888 gives Home Affairs independent evidence from someone who has personally observed your relationship. It can help show that your relationship is known to other people, has social recognition, and appears genuine and continuing.

A useful Form 888 is specific and based on personal observation. A weak one is vague, generic, or written by someone who barely knows the relationship.

---

Who should complete it

The strongest supporting witnesses are people who can honestly give concrete examples of your relationship over time, such as:

• close friends who spend time with both of you
• family members who have seen you together regularly
• housemates or neighbours who have observed your shared life
• colleagues or community contacts who know you as a couple

Avoid relying on people who only know one partner, have had very little contact with you as a couple, or can only make broad statements with no real detail.

---

What a strong Form 888 should cover

The current form asks the witness to state:

1. how long they have known the applicant
2. how long they have known the applicant's partner
3. how they know both people and how often they have been in contact with them
4. whether they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing, and the reasons for that belief
5. any other matters they want to add in support of the application

Useful details include specific events, time periods, living arrangements, family involvement, travel, regular routines, and other things the witness personally observed.

---

How to complete it correctly

1. Download the current Form 888 from the Home Affairs forms page.
2. Have the witness complete it in English. The form says to open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader if completing it electronically, or print it and complete it in BLOCK LETTERS.
3. If the witness needs more space, attach extra pages.
4. Attach documentary evidence of the witness's current name and age, and status evidence where applicable.
5. Have the witness sign and date the form.
6. Upload the completed form to ImmiAccount with the partner visa application.

Under the current form, there is no instruction on the form itself to get it witnessed by a JP or other authorised person. Do not add that as a mandatory step unless Home Affairs specifically asks for something extra in your case.

---

Practical tips

• Use witnesses who actually know the relationship well.
• Ask each witness to write in their own words. Repeated or templated wording can look weak.
• Make sure dates and facts broadly match the rest of the application.
• Include the witness's contact details accurately in case Home Affairs wants to follow up.
• Pair Form 888 with other social evidence such as photos, invitations, travel evidence, and proof that friends or family know about the relationship.

---

Important warning about separate statutory declaration requirements

Form 888 does not replace separate Commonwealth statutory declarations that can be required in some other partner-visa situations, especially certain no-substantive-visa validity scenarios. Those are separate documents with separate rules.

---

Timing

Home Affairs does not publish a fixed expiry period for Form 888 itself. In practice, more recent statements are usually more useful than very old ones, and if Home Affairs later asks for updated relationship evidence for the permanent stage, you should provide statements that cover the later period requested.

The current form warns that false or misleading statements are a serious offence under the Migration Act 1958, so witnesses should keep their statements factual and accurate.

What ImmiAccount Is

ImmiAccount is the Department of Home Affairs' secure online portal at online.immi.gov.au. Partner visa applications are generally lodged online through ImmiAccount. Home Affairs says paper lodgement is only available in limited circumstances and only if they invite you to apply by paper.

You will use ImmiAccount to start the subclass 820 application, upload documents, receive correspondence, and later submit the separate Stage 2 permanent partner assessment when you become eligible.

---

Why It Matters

ImmiAccount is the main online channel Home Affairs uses for this application. You will use it to receive acknowledgements, requests for more information, health examination instructions, and visa decisions. If you miss a message or deadline, the Department may make a decision based on the information already on file.

Important: Home Affairs advises applicants to use their own contact details because the Department may need to contact them directly, even if they appoint a migration agent, authorised recipient, or use the sponsor's email address.

---

Who Needs an ImmiAccount

You (the applicant) should have your own ImmiAccount and lodge the subclass 820 application from it.

Your sponsor must complete a separate online sponsorship application using your TRN or Application ID to link it to your partner visa application. The sponsor may use their own ImmiAccount, or they may complete the sponsorship through the applicant's account if appropriate.

---

How to Create Your Account — Step by Step

1. Go to online.immi.gov.au and select "Create an ImmiAccount"
2. Enter your email address and complete the emailed verification step
3. Select "Individual" as the account type
4. Enter your personal details and account details
5. Read and accept the ImmiAccount terms and conditions, then submit the registration
6. Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) when prompted
7. Log in and familiarise yourself with the dashboard before starting the visa application

Once logged in, select "New application" → "Family" → "Stage 1 - Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa" → "Partner visa (subclass 820)" to begin.

---

What You'll Use ImmiAccount For

Stage	What you do in ImmiAccount
Before lodgement	Start and save your application, review required documents, upload evidence
At lodgement	Submit the application and pay the current visa application charge
After lodgement	Receive your TRN/Application ID, upload additional documents, and monitor for health or character requests
During processing	Check messages, respond to Department requests, and update details where required
Stage 2 (801)	When eligible, submit the separate "Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)" form in ImmiAccount
Post-grant	Access grant correspondence and keep a record of your visa details

---

Pro Tips

• Use your own email address and phone number where possible so Home Affairs can reach you directly if needed.
• Protect your login details. Do not share your password or MFA access.
• Save your TRN or Application ID immediately after lodgement. Your sponsor needs it to link the sponsorship application.
• You can keep uploading documents after lodgement if more evidence becomes available or the Department asks for it.
• There is an ImmiAccount document limit. If you reach the attachment limit for all applicants on the application, Home Affairs provides a separate process for sending additional documents.
• Check ImmiAccount regularly during processing and respond within any deadline stated in Department correspondence.
• If your application is still within standard published processing times, Home Affairs generally expects you to monitor ImmiAccount rather than request routine status updates.

What this requirement is

About 2 years after you originally lodged your combined Subclass 820/801 application, you become eligible to be considered for the Subclass 801 permanent partner visa. At that stage, the Department of Home Affairs checks whether you still meet the requirements for the permanent stage, including whether the relationship has remained genuine and continuing.

Important: Do not rely on being contacted before you act. Home Affairs says that if it needs further documents for your 801 application, it will let you know, but it also says that once 2 years have passed since you first applied, you can log in to ImmiAccount and start the Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801) yourself.

---

Why noting this date matters

• The 2-year date runs from your original lodgement date, not from the date your 820 was granted
• If you try to complete Stage 2 too early, you are not yet eligible for assessment unless an exception applies
• If you wait longer than necessary, you simply delay the permanent-stage assessment
• Home Affairs says it cannot consider priority processing of the permanent stage until 2 years have passed since you applied for the partner visa

---

How to find your Stage 2 eligibility date

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
2. Open your original partner visa application
3. Find the lodgement date in your acknowledgement letter or application summary
4. Count forward exactly 2 years from that date

For example, if you lodged on 15 March 2024, your Stage 2 eligibility date is 15 March 2026.

Record the date somewhere reliable and set an advance reminder so you have time to gather updated evidence.

---

Earlier assessment exceptions

Some applicants may be eligible for permanent assessment earlier than the standard 2-year point. Common examples include:

• At the time of original lodgement, the relationship had already lasted 3 years or more, or 2 years or more with a dependent child of the relationship
• The sponsor dies after grant of the 820
• The relationship ends because of family violence and the applicant can rely on the family violence provisions

If you think an exception may apply, check the official Home Affairs guidance or get advice from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner before assuming you can skip the normal 2-year timeline.

---

What to do when the date arrives

Home Affairs' published FAQ says that once two years have passed since you first applied, eligible temporary partner visa holders can:

1. Log in to ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au
2. Select New application and then Family
3. Select Stage 2 - Permanent Partner Visa Assessment (100, 801)
4. Complete the online form using your Application ID from Home Affairs correspondence
5. Upload the requested updated evidence and submit

You can find your Application ID in Home Affairs correspondence, including your acknowledgement of application received letter and, where relevant, later grant correspondence.

---

What evidence to prepare

Stage 2 should show how the relationship has continued since lodgement. In practice, applicants should prepare updated evidence across the same relationship areas used at Stage 1, such as:

• Financial evidence: joint accounts, shared bills, joint purchases, insurance, tax or household expenses
• Household evidence: leases, mortgage records, utilities, mail to the shared address, evidence of living arrangements
• Social evidence: photos over time, travel records, invitations, messages showing contact with family and friends, community or social activities together
• Commitment evidence: statements about future plans, beneficiary nominations, wills, evidence of ongoing mutual commitment

You should also be ready to provide any updated identity, character, or health material requested by Home Affairs. For example, Home Affairs may ask for updated police certificates or new health examinations if needed.

Form 888 supporting statements can still be useful at Stage 2 if they clearly address the ongoing relationship over the relevant period.

---

Practical tips

• Start gathering evidence before the 2-year date so you can submit promptly once eligible
• Keep ImmiAccount details current and notify Home Affairs of changes such as a new passport, address, contact details, or major relationship changes
• Focus on recent evidence that covers the period since lodgement or since your last major document upload
• Follow any document request exactly if Home Affairs later writes to you asking for specific evidence or updated checks

---

Common mistakes to avoid

• Calculating from the 820 grant date instead of the original application date
• Assuming Stage 2 happens automatically without any action from you
• Submitting only old Stage 1 material instead of updated evidence covering the later period
• Ignoring change-of-circumstances obligations if your passport, contact details, family composition, or relationship status changes
• Assuming every applicant needs the same extra documents rather than checking what Home Affairs requests in the case

---

Key official references

• ImmiAccount: online.immi.gov.au
• Partner visa FAQs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/partner-visa-frequently-asked-questions
• AFP National Police Check: afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks
• Partner Processing Enquiry Form: available via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
• Find a registered migration agent: mara.gov.au