Partner visa (onshore) preparation checklist

The sponsoring partner must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, and meets their own character requirements.

De facto couples generally evidence 12 months of cohabitation or a registered relationship — start the paper trail early.

A clear colour copy of the photo page of your current passport is generally the first document gathered. Pages from any other passports you hold, or have previously travelled on, are typically useful to include as well.

A birth certificate showing parents' names is the usual proof of birth. Where one is not available, documents such as a baptismal certificate or a family or household book are generally accepted alternatives. Both partners typically provide identity documents.

Married couples typically provide their official marriage certificate or marriage registration document. De facto couples who have registered their relationship with an Australian state or territory generally include that registration.

Documents showing you and your partner share money matters — for example joint bank account statements covering a period of time, joint loans or leases, bills in both names, or insurance policies naming you both.

Items that show how you run a home together, such as a joint lease or mortgage document, utility and phone accounts, mail addressed to you both at the same address, a letter from a landlord, or records of shared care of children.

Material showing others know you as a couple — joint invitations, photos together across different times and places, joint travel bookings or itineraries, and joint memberships of community, cultural, religious or sporting groups.

Documents pointing to a shared future, such as wills or superannuation nominations naming each other, statements about your plans together, and records of how you stayed in contact during any time apart (calls, messages, emails).

Statutory declarations (Form 888) from friends or family — generally Australian citizens or permanent residents — describing the relationship they have seen first-hand. Two supporting witnesses are typically nominated in the application.

Your partner typically provides proof they are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen — such as a passport, citizenship certificate or Australian birth certificate — along with their own identity documents.

An Australian federal police check is generally requested, along with a national police certificate from any other country where you have spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Most applicants complete an immigration health examination with an approved panel provider. Keep any referral letter or examination reference number you receive so it can be matched to your application.

Any document not in English generally needs an English translation. Translations completed in Australia are typically done by an accredited (NAATI) translator; translators outside Australia usually note their qualifications and contact details.

The permanent stage is generally assessed around two years after the original application. Couples typically gather fresh evidence across the same areas — finances, household, social life and commitment — plus updated statements from friends and family and, if requested, new police checks.

Lodge and pay on the official site; the sponsor lodges their sponsorship part separately.

Book when requested; processing is long, so keep contact details current.

The permanent stage usually arrives about two years after lodgement — keep adding joint evidence to your vault as new documents arrive.

In general terms, check whether the department has begun assessing the permanent stage of your earlier combined onshore partner application — often described as occurring some time after lodgement. Timing and triggers vary, so confirm current details on the official Home Affairs page; a registered practitioner can advise on your circumstances.

Typically the sponsoring partner remains part of the permanent-stage assessment. Review what current sponsor-side information may be needed. Exact expectations change — check the official page and consider advice from a registered practitioner.

Generally, up-to-date identity material such as a current passport is part of preparing for the permanent stage. Confirm what currently applies on the official page.

In general terms, the permanent stage looks at whether the relationship has stayed genuine and ongoing since the provisional stage, across the commonly described financial, household, social and commitment aspects. What is appropriate depends on your circumstances — a registered practitioner can advise.

Character-related documents, such as police or character certificates from relevant countries, can be requested at this stage. Whether and which apply varies, so check the official page for current requirements.

Typically the updated information is provided through your existing ImmiAccount rather than on any paper form. Follow the official online application path; deep-link to ImmiAccount from the official Home Affairs page when you are ready.

After submitting, the department may ask for additional information or updates to your personal circumstances. In general terms, keeping contact and other details current helps. Check the official page for how requests are handled; a registered practitioner can advise on a specific request.