Australian partner visa preparation checklist
Partner visas are decision-heavy and turn on genuine and continuing relationship evidence. This checklist walks through the standard preparation.
This is a 12-step preparation checklist for an Australian partner visa (subclass 820/801 or 309/100) application. It covers sponsorship, relationship evidence, health and character requirements, and lodgement.
The checklist
Determine the correct subclass
Determine onshore 820/801 or offshore 309/100 based on applicant location.
Assess sponsor eligibility
Confirm the sponsor is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible NZ citizen and meets sponsorship limits.
Check sponsor character
Check sponsor character history including any charges for relevant offences.
Register or evidence the relationship
Register the relationship on a state register or meet the 12-month cohabitation requirement.
Gather financial aspects evidence
Collect joint bank accounts, shared liabilities, superannuation nominations, and joint assets.
Gather household aspects evidence
Collect evidence of shared household — lease, utility bills, household bills in joint names.
Gather social aspects evidence
Collect photos, travel evidence, statutory declarations from friends and family (Form 888).
Gather commitment evidence
Collect evidence of commitment — will nominations, emergency contacts, and life plans.
Complete health examinations
Arrange the applicant health examinations through a panel physician via myHealthDeclarations.
Obtain character clearances
Obtain police clearances from each country lived in for 12 months or more since age 16.
Draft application and statements
Draft the visa application and relationship statements for both the applicant and sponsor.
Lodge via ImmiAccount
Lodge via ImmiAccount, pay the visa application charge, and track progress.
When this checklist applies
Use this checklist when preparing a partner visa application, whether onshore or offshore.
Common pitfalls
- Weak evidence on one of the four aspects of the relationship
- Missing sponsor character disclosures
- Not registering the relationship where cohabitation is under 12 months
- Health examinations completed too early and expiring
- Form 888 statutory declarations from family only, without friends
Run this checklist on a real matter
Quillio drafts partner visa statements, Form 888 templates, and evidence checklists. See /practice-areas/family-lawyers or start a free trial.
This checklist is a general guide. Migration advice must be given by a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
Use this checklist on your matter.
Quillio can run this checklist on a specific NSW conveyancing matter — confirm each item, calculate adjustments, and generate the supporting documents. The free trial requires no credit card.
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