Applying for a Partner Visa is one of the most important steps for couples planning their future together in Australia. Many applicants do not realise that the length of their relationship can make a huge difference in how their visa is decided.

If you can demonstrate that you and your Australian partner have been in a “long-term relationship” at the time of applying, the Department of Home Affairs may grant you the permanent visa straight away, without the usual two-stage process.

What Counts as a Long-Term Relationship?

The Department defines a long-term relationship as:

• 3 years or more of marriage or de facto relationship, or
• 2 years of marriage or de facto relationship if you have a child together.

This means that if you can prove your relationship meets these thresholds at the time of application, the Department may skip the temporary stage and immediately approve the permanent component of your Partner Visa.

The Challenge: Proving the Relationship

If you are married, providing a valid marriage certificate is usually enough to prove the formal side of the relationship.

However, for de facto couples, things can be more complicated. The Department will look carefully at whether you truly were in a genuine and exclusive relationship for the full qualifying period. Any gaps, such as time spent living apart, or only just reaching the three-year mark, can raise questions.

To assess this, the Department considers the “four pillars” of a relationship:

1. Financial aspects – Do you share bank accounts, bills, or financial responsibilities?
2. Nature of the household – Have you lived together, shared a lease, or contributed to household expenses?
3. Social aspects – Do you present yourselves as a couple publicly, attend events together, or have joint memberships?
4. Commitment to each other – Do your statements, future plans, and personal declarations show exclusivity and long-term commitment?

If you cannot demonstrate these pillars with strong evidence, the case officer may not be able to grant the permanent visa upfront.

Common Pitfalls for De Facto Couples

• Periods of separation – For example, if one partner worked interstate or overseas for some time, you’ll need to explain and provide evidence of ongoing commitment.
• No formal lease or bills – Many couples forget to put both names on a rental agreement or utility bills. In these cases, supporting evidence such as a statutory declaration from your landlord can help show you lived together.
• Late registration of relationship – Some states allow you to register your relationship, but this only helps if it was registered at least 3 years before lodging the application.
• Limited financial evidence – Having no joint bank account or shared loans can make it harder to show the financial aspect of the relationship.

Examples of Helpful Documents

Here are some documents that can help strengthen your application:

• Joint lease agreements or mortgage documents
• Utility bills in both names
• Joint bank account statements showing regular shared use
• Travel itineraries or bookings made together
• Photos of you as a couple with family and friends at events
• Statutory declarations from friends, family, or landlords confirming your relationship
• Relationship registration certificates (if applicable)

The more evidence you provide across the four pillars, the stronger your case for permanent residency at the first stage.

Final Tip: Don’t Leave it to chance

Getting the permanent visa straight away can save you years of waiting, but only if your evidence is solid. If you are unsure whether your documents are strong enough, or if there are complications such as periods of living separately, it’s important to seek expert migration advice before lodging. This will assist you with

• Identify gaps in your evidence
• Suggest alternative documents (such as statutory declarations)
• Ensure your relationship history is presented clearly and persuasively

By preparing carefully, you give yourself the best chance of securing permanent residency at the outset and avoid being placed on a temporary visa unnecessarily.