Do we need to be married for a partner visa?

No. A married relationship and a de facto relationship can both qualify. De facto usually requires living together (or a demonstrated relationship) for a set period before applying, with some exceptions — check the current rule for your situation.

How many photos or documents do we need?

There is no fixed number. What matters is covering the four relationship areas across time with credible, dated evidence, not hitting a quota.

Can the temporary and permanent stages be assessed together?

Sometimes the permanent stage can be decided sooner if you have been in the relationship long enough at the time of decision. The rules change, so confirm the current position on the official Home Affairs website.

Australia partner visa evidence (subclass 820/801)

Plain-language guide · Australia · general information

How the partner visa is structured

An onshore partner visa is usually a two-stage grant: a temporary visa (subclass 820) first, then the permanent visa (subclass 801) assessed later. Offshore it is the 309 then 100. You apply once and pay one main charge, but you keep proving the relationship over time, so evidence you collect now matters for both stages.

The four things you are proving

The Department looks at your relationship across four broad areas: the financial aspects of your relationship, the nature of your household, the social aspects, and your mutual commitment. Strong applications show all four rather than piling everything into one. Think of each area as a question you answer with dated, third-party documents.

Documents that usually help

Financial: joint accounts, shared bills, evidence you support each other. Household: a shared lease or mortgage, mail to the same address, how you split chores and costs. Social: photos over time, messages, joint invitations, statements from friends and family (Form 888 for eligible witnesses). Commitment: your relationship history, time spent together, and knowledge of each other's lives.

Quality beats quantity

A focused, well-organised set that spans the whole relationship is stronger than hundreds of screenshots from one month. Aim for a spread across the four areas and across time, label what each document shows, and explain any gaps honestly rather than hiding them.

Tip: keep a running folder from day one — a shared lease, a few Form 888 statements, and consistent evidence across months is worth more than a last-minute pile.

Common questions

Do we need to be married for a partner visa?: No. A married relationship and a de facto relationship can both qualify. De facto usually requires living together (or a demonstrated relationship) for a set period before applying, with some exceptions — check the current rule for your situation.
How many photos or documents do we need?: There is no fixed number. What matters is covering the four relationship areas across time with credible, dated evidence, not hitting a quota.
Can the temporary and permanent stages be assessed together?: Sometimes the permanent stage can be decided sooner if you have been in the relationship long enough at the time of decision. The rules change, so confirm the current position on the official Home Affairs website.

Every relationship's evidence looks different. Tell the assistant your situation for a plain-language starting point on what to gather.

This guide is general information about Australian partner visas and is not immigration advice. Requirements and processing change; confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website (homeaffairs.gov.au) or with a registered migration agent.