Partner Visa Readiness Assessment

1. Financial Aspects

Evidence that you share financial matters and pool resources as a couple:

• Joint bank accounts with regular activity from both parties
• Joint ownership or lease of property/residence
• Joint utility bills, council rates, or household expenses
• Joint tax returns or evidence of financial dependency
• Joint loans, credit cards, or mortgage
• Evidence of financial support provided to each other
• Shared savings or investment accounts
• Duration: Ideally 12+ months of joint financial records

2. Household Composition

Evidence that you live together and share a home as a couple:

• Joint or matching residential addresses on official documents
• Utility bills showing both names at same address
• Mail and correspondence received at shared address
• Lease agreements or mortgage documents showing cohabitation
• Photos of shared living space and belongings
• Evidence of shared household responsibilities
• Duration at current address together
• History of all addresses lived together (if multiple)

3. Social Recognition

Evidence that others recognize you as a genuine couple:

• Form 888 statutory declarations from friends, family, colleagues (4+ recommended)
• Photos together spanning the entire relationship duration
• Joint social media presence and relationship status acknowledgment
• Joint invitations to social events, weddings, parties
• Family members' recognition and acceptance of relationship
• Joint memberships (gym, clubs, organizations)
• Evidence of travel together (flight bookings, hotel reservations)
• Witness statements from different social circles

4. Commitment to Each Other

Evidence of mutual commitment and joint future planning:

• Communication records during any periods of separation
• Joint future plans (property purchases, business ventures)
• Wills naming each other as beneficiaries
• Life insurance policies naming each other
• Power of attorney or enduring guardianship
• Joint private health insurance cover
• Children together (birth certificates)
• Evidence of joint long-term planning (superannuation, investments)

Why do I need to assess my evidence before applying?

Partner visa applications require substantial evidence across four pillars (financial, household, social, commitment). Applications cost $9,365 (effective July 2025) and take 18-36 months to process. Weak evidence in even one pillar can lead to refusal, wasting fees and creating negative visa history that affects future applications. This assessment helps you identify gaps and strengthen your evidence before the costly lodgement.

What makes a partner visa application strong or weak?

Strong applications have comprehensive evidence across ALL four pillars spanning the entire relationship duration. Weak applications lack depth in one or more pillars, have short evidence timelines, or rely too heavily on one type of evidence. For example, having joint bank accounts but no social recognition evidence creates an imbalanced application. Our assessment evaluates balance and depth across all four areas.

How does the scoring system work?

Each of the four evidence pillars is scored 0-100% based on the quantity, quality, and duration of evidence you have. Your overall score is a weighted average: Financial (25%), Household (25%), Social (25%), Commitment (20%), Basic Eligibility (5%). Green (75-100%) = strong application, Amber (50-74%) = moderate, needs improvement, Red (0-49%) = weak, significant gaps. If any single pillar is Red, overall status is capped at Amber.

I scored Red or Amber - does that mean I can't apply?

No, you can still apply, but your chances of approval are lower. Red means significant evidence gaps that should be addressed first. Amber means you're borderline—you could apply but strengthening evidence improves success chances. We recommend using the assessment results to identify specific gaps, gather additional evidence over 3-6 months, then reassess. A registered agent can provide tailored advice on strengthening weak pillars.

What if we're married but haven't lived together much?

Married couples don't need to meet the 12-month cohabitation requirement, BUT you still need strong evidence across all four pillars. If you've lived apart, you need evidence explaining why (work, visa restrictions, etc.) plus strong commitment evidence (communication records, visits, financial support). Marriage alone doesn't guarantee approval—evidence quality matters.

How many Form 888s do I need?

The Department doesn't specify a number, but successful applications typically include 4-6 Form 888 statutory declarations from a diverse range of people (family, friends, colleagues, community members) who can attest to your relationship. Having only 1-2 weakens your social pillar. Our assessment flags if you have insufficient Form 888s based on typical successful applications.

Can I include evidence from before we started living together?

Yes! All evidence spanning your entire relationship matters. Early dating photos, messages, joint activities, and social recognition from the beginning strengthen your application. However, recent evidence (last 12 months) is weighted more heavily, so you need both historical context AND current proof the relationship is ongoing and genuine.

What happens after I complete the assessment?

You'll see instant results on screen showing your scores, status (Red/Amber/Green), strengths, gaps, and recommendations. If you provide your email, we'll send a detailed report. If you request consultation, a registered migration agent will review your assessment and contact you within 48 hours to discuss your specific situation and next steps.

Is this assessment confidential?

Yes. Your assessment data is only used to generate your results email and agent notification. We don't store your information in databases or share it with third parties. If you request consultation, your details go to your assigned agent only. We comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988.

How is this different from a paid consultation?

This is a preliminary self-assessment tool to help you understand your readiness. A paid consultation with a registered agent provides: detailed evidence review, personalized application strategy, GTE/GS statement preparation, application lodgement assistance, document certification, and ongoing case management. Use this tool first to identify gaps, then book a consultation for professional assistance.