Partner Visa: Establishing the “Four Pillars" Requirement

To qualify for both onshore and offshore Partner Visas, you must be legally married or in a de facto partner relationship with an Australian, eligible New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian permanent resident (PR). 

Satisfying all of the “four pillars of a relationship” is required to be eligible for a Partner Visa. Below is a breakdown of the four pillars.

Social aspects of the relationship 

Digitally savvy couples may use their social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like by providing screenshots or posts to prove the social aspects of their relationship. However, if you and your partner are not active on social media, you may use printed photos or scrapbooks, including journals recording the different things that you’ve done as a couple.

For married couples, documents such as marriage contracts or civil union certificates must be provided as proof of the union. Declarations of parents, relatives and close family members, or friends may also be used as proof, as well as joint membership in clubs or organizations to prove the social aspect of your relationship.  

Joint financial aspects of the relationship 

You must be able to prove, through documents and other relevant information, that you and your partner support each other financially, as DoHA would be interested in how you manage your financial affairs as a couple. Purchases made together and money transfers to support each other may be indicative of a healthy couple relationship between the two of you. 

Moreover, proofs of purchase of real estate or cars may also be used as evidence of conjugal ownership of assets, as well as joint bank accounts used for managing daily finances. Joint utility bills may also be used as proof of cohabitation and evidence of fiscal union. 

Proving the financial aspect of your relationship is important because it establishes a legally binding financial agreement that ties you and your partner.  

Nature of the household 

DoHA may be interested in understanding how you and your partner split your responsibilities in the household, and as such, you must be able to share how you manage your day-to-day duties at home.  

You may also provide proof of joint ownership of the residence or residential leases to show that the two of you are cohabiting, as well as any evidence of shared responsibility in taking care of your children and intention to build and raise a family together. 

Nature of commitment and development of the relationship 

In order to prove this, you must be able to share the roots of your relationship. This includes documenting the length of your relationship and cohabitation, your future and long-term plans: be it marriage or domestic partnership, having children, or anything more specific to your circumstances.  

Putting together a will, or listing your partner as a beneficiary under your superannuation may be used as proof that your relationship is long-term.  

Meanwhile, couples who have lived apart temporarily, be it due to work obligations or constraints in visa, may find providing proof challenging. That’s why it is important for Partner Visa applicants to seek legal opinion on making an effective and strong case for their application. 

How Can Agape Henry Crux Assist

This is where Agape Henry Crux can help you. Our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com. 

We speak fluent English, Mandarin, and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter. 

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.