One of the most critical aspects of a Subclass 820 Partner Visa application is proving that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. Regardless of whether you are married or in a de facto relationship, the Department of Home Affairs will scrutinise your evidence to ensure the visa is not being used for immigration purposes.

For DIY applicants, understanding what constitutes strong evidence and how to present it is essential for a smooth application.

What Does “Genuine Relationship” Mean?

A genuine relationship is one where:

• Both partners are committed to each other on a long-term basis
• There is mutual financial, social, and emotional support
• The relationship is ongoing and exclusive

Simply being married or living together is not enough; the Department looks for continuous and demonstrable evidence of your partnership.

Types of Evidence to Include

Evidence generally falls into five main categories:

1. Financial Evidence

Shared financial responsibilities demonstrate interdependence:

• Joint bank accounts or credit cards
• Shared bills (electricity, internet, water)
• Joint mortgages or leases
• Shared insurance policies (health, car, life)
• Evidence of financial support for each other (gifts, living expenses)

DIY Tip: Even partial joint accounts or financial contributions can strengthen your case.

2. Household Evidence

Proof of cohabitation shows commitment:

• Lease or mortgage documents in both names
• Utility bills showing both partners at the same address
• Letters from landlords confirming co-residence
• Photos of shared living spaces

For married couples, household evidence strengthens claims of living as a family unit.

3. Social Evidence

Public recognition of your relationship is important:

• Photos from holidays, family gatherings, or social events
• Travel documents or tickets for joint trips
• Invitations addressed to both partners
• Social media posts showing shared life
• Statutory declarations from friends and family confirming your relationship

DIY Tip: Include photos and evidence spanning multiple years to show consistency.

4. Commitment Evidence

Shows long-term intentions:

• Wills or powers of attorney naming each other
• Evidence of shared parental responsibilities if children are involved
• Documents demonstrating shared future plans (home purchase, travel, study)
• Statements of intent from both partners

Commitment evidence proves your relationship is ongoing and serious, not temporary.

5. Communication Evidence (for long-distance couples)

If you live apart temporarily:

• Call, text, and email logs over time
• Travel itineraries showing visits
• Letters or messages demonstrating emotional support

Even married couples may need to show communication evidence if living apart for work, study, or family reasons.

Organising Your Evidence

DIY applicants should organise evidence clearly:

• Chronologically or by category
• Include a table of contents or summary page explaining each piece of evidence
• Highlight key documents like joint bank statements, photos, and statutory declarations

Well-organised evidence makes it easier for the Department to assess your relationship and reduces delays.

Common DIY Mistakes to Avoid

1. Submitting insufficient evidence – A few photos alone are not enough.
2. Ignoring statutory declarations – Third-party statements from friends/family provide strong verification.
3. Applying too early in a de facto relationship – The standard is 12 months cohabitation unless exceptions apply.
4. Inconsistencies in documents – Ensure names, addresses, and dates match across all evidence.
5. Not documenting temporary separations – Explain work, study, or family-related absences with supporting evidence.

Final Thoughts

Proving your relationship is genuine is the heart of a successful Subclass 820 DIY application. The Department evaluates your:

• Financial interdependence
• Household sharing
• Social recognition
• Long-term commitment
• Communication, especially for long-distance couples

Careful preparation and clear organisation of evidence increase the chances of approval and prevent delays.

✅ Quick Recap

• Genuine relationship = committed, ongoing, and interdependent
• Include financial, household, social, commitment, and communication evidence
• Long-distance couples must provide proof of visits and communication
• Use statutory declarations from friends/family
• Organise evidence clearly to support your DIY application

Want step-by-step guidance? Check out our DIY Partner Visa Package here.

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