Why relationship evidence matters
The partner visa is Australia's most evidence-intensive visa. The Department of Home Affairs does not take the existence of a relationship on trust — it requires contemporaneous documentary evidence from multiple aspects of the relationship. Insufficient evidence is one of the most common reasons for partner visa delays and refusals.
The four evidence categories
The Department of Home Affairs assesses relationship evidence across four categories. Applicants should provide evidence under each category where possible.
Category 1 — Financial aspects of the relationship
Evidence of shared financial arrangements demonstrates that the couple have integrated their finances in a way consistent with a genuine relationship. This can include: joint bank accounts showing regular transactions; joint names on a mortgage, lease, or loan; shared financial responsibilities such as utilities or insurance; evidence of financial support between the couple such as money transfers; joint tax returns or notices of assessment; evidence of joint assets (vehicles, property, investments).
Documents from another language-speaking countries (such as Colombian bank statements, Argentine lease agreements, or Mexican utility bills) are in Spanish and must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified English translation when submitted to the Department of Home Affairs. See our guide on bank statement translation for more detail.
Category 2 — Nature of the household
Evidence that the couple share or have shared a household demonstrates cohabitation consistent with a genuine relationship. This can include: a shared lease or tenancy agreement in both names; statutory declarations from landlords or real estate agents; utility bills, phone plans, or internet accounts at the shared address; evidence of shared household responsibilities such as grocery shopping or shared subscriptions; letters or parcels addressed to both parties at the same address.
Spanish-language lease agreements, tenancy contracts, or utility bills must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified translation.
Category 3 — Social aspects of the relationship
Evidence of how the relationship is recognised by family, friends, and the community. This can include: statutory declarations from friends and family members who know the couple (these must be in English — if a friend or family member in a country writes a declaration in Spanish, it requires NAATI-certified translation); photographs together at significant events; evidence of joint social media accounts, joint travel, or joint attendance at community events; wedding, engagement, or relationship recognition certificates; evidence of the couple meeting each other's families.
Category 4 — Commitment to the relationship
Evidence of long-term commitment and mutual intention to continue the relationship. This can include: correspondence between the couple (emails, messages, letters) showing the history of the relationship; evidence of visits and travel together; evidence of future plans such as joint property purchases or future travel bookings; a relationship statement from each partner in their own words (this can be in Spanish and will require NAATI-certified translation if so); evidence of knowledge of each other's personal circumstances.
See our guide on the partner visa relationship statement for guidance on drafting your own statement.
Statutory declarations — translation requirements
Statutory declarations written by friends and family who support the visa application must be in English. If a family member or friend is based in a country and writes their declaration in Spanish, a NAATI-certified translation into English must accompany the original Spanish declaration before submission to the Department of Home Affairs. See our statutory declaration guide for the common format used in Australia.
What if evidence is limited?
Some couples — particularly those earlier in their relationship or those who lived in different countries for part of the relationship — may have limited evidence in some categories. The Department of Home Affairs considers the circumstances of the relationship and the reasons why evidence in a particular category may be limited. However, it is important to provide as much evidence as possible and to explain in the relationship statement why evidence in a particular category may be sparse.
Translating relationship evidence from another language
Any document submitted in support of a partner visa application that is not in English must be accompanied by a NAATI-certified English translation. This applies to: bank statements and financial records; tenancy agreements and lease contracts; utility bills and household documents; correspondence written in Spanish; statutory declarations and supporting letters written in Spanish; any other document forming part of the relationship evidence.