If you’re planning a DIY application for the Australian Partner Visa (Subclass 820), one of the most important aspects is evidence of your relationship. The Department of Home Affairs places significant emphasis on proving that your relationship is genuine, ongoing, and committed.
Without strong evidence, even couples in long-term relationships can face delays or visa refusal. This guide will break down the types of evidence, practical tips, and common mistakes for DIY applicants.
Why Evidence is Critical
The Subclass 820 visa is a temporary partner visa, and approval depends on the Department being satisfied that:
- Your relationship is genuine (not entered for visa purposes)
- Your relationship is ongoing and committed
- Your partnership meets the married or de facto criteria
Evidence is the main way to demonstrate this. Immigration officers do not interview every applicant, so your documentation often speaks for your relationship.
Categories of Evidence
Evidence for a Subclass 820 visa generally falls into several categories:
1. Financial Evidence
Showing financial interdependence is one of the strongest ways to prove your relationship. Examples include:
- Joint bank accounts
- Shared loans or mortgages
- Joint utility bills (electricity, internet, water)
- Shared insurance policies (health, car, life)
- Evidence of shared expenses (groceries, rent contributions)
DIY Tip: Even if accounts are not fully joint, showing mutual support or shared financial responsibilitycan help.
2. Household Evidence
Living together demonstrates commitment. Include:
- Lease or rental agreements in both names
- Mortgage documents showing shared ownership
- Letters from landlords confirming you live together
- Utility bills at the same address
For married applicants, household evidence strengthens the claim that you are sharing a life together, even if marriage certificates already exist.
3. Social Evidence
Social evidence shows your relationship is recognised publicly:
- Photos together over time (holidays, events, family gatherings)
- Invitations addressed to both partners
- Joint travel documents, flight tickets, or itineraries
- Social media evidence showing shared activities or trips
- Statements from friends and family (statutory declarations) confirming the relationship
DIY Tip: Include photos over multiple years to show continuity, not just recent snapshots.
4. Commitment Evidence
Commitment evidence demonstrates that your relationship is ongoing and serious:
- Wills or powers of attorney naming each other
- Emergency contact details including your partner
- Evidence of joint parental responsibilities if you have children
- Statements showing shared long-term plans (travel, home purchase, study plans)
5. Communication Evidence (Long-Distance Relationships)
If you and your partner have spent time apart:
- Call logs, chat histories, or emails over time
- Travel itineraries showing visits
- Letters or messages demonstrating emotional and ongoing commitment
DIY Tip: Documenting long-distance communication is crucial for couples applying from different locations.
Children and Family Evidence
- Birth certificates of children born to both partners
- Documents showing shared care arrangements for children
- School records, medical records, or other official evidence naming both partners
Including children in your application can also strengthen claims that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Organising Your Evidence
DIY applicants should organise documents clearly:
- Chronologically by year or relationship stage
- Separate categories: financial, household, social, commitment, children
- Include a table of contents or summary page explaining each piece of evidence
Well-organised evidence makes it easier for the Department of Home Affairs to assess your relationship.
Common DIY Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient evidence – Relying solely on a marriage certificate or a few photos is not enough.
- Disorganised submission – Random or poorly labelled documents make assessment difficult.
- Missing statutory declarations – Statements from friends and family can provide strong third-party verification.
- Incomplete long-distance documentation – Forgetting to show communication over time can weaken your case.
- Lack of consistency – Ensure dates, addresses, and names match across documents.
Final Thoughts
For a DIY Subclass 820 application, evidence is the foundation of a successful case. The Department of Home Affairs will assess your relationship based on financial, household, social, commitment, and communication evidence, as well as evidence related to children if applicable.
Key DIY Takeaways:
- Gather multiple types of evidence to demonstrate genuineness
- Keep evidence chronologically organised
- Include third-party verification through statutory declarations
- Document long-distance communication if relevant
- Avoid gaps, inconsistencies, or missing documents
✅ Quick Recap
- Evidence proves your relationship is genuine, ongoing, and committed
- Include financial, household, social, commitment, and communication evidence
- Children’s documents can strengthen your application
- Organise evidence carefully for smooth assessment
- Avoid common DIY mistakes to reduce delays or refusal
Want step-by-step guidance? Check out our DIY Partner Visa Package here.
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