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Partner visa document checklist: what to organise
Preparing an Australian partner visa application involves more than collecting relationship photographs. Start with the document categories below, then check the current Home Affairs instructions for your application. The examples are a preparation guide: which documents you need depends on your circumstances and application stage.
The free app helps you organise relationship evidence and track your preparation. This public overview also identifies identity, sponsor, health and character categories to check separately. It is not a personalised list of every document required for your application.
| Category | Examples to review | Preparation note |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant identity | Passport, birth or identity records, and relevant name-change documents. | Check that names and personal details are consistent across the application and evidence. |
| Sponsor documents | Identity and evidence of Australian citizenship, permanent residence or eligible New Zealand citizenship, as applicable. | Check the sponsor instructions as well as the applicant instructions. |
| Financial evidence | Shared accounts, expenses, assets, liabilities or explanations of how you manage money together. | Use genuine records that explain your arrangements over time. |
| Household evidence | Shared-address records, living arrangements and information about household responsibilities. | Explain your actual circumstances, including relevant periods living apart. |
| Social evidence | Photos, invitations, shared activities and suitable supporting statements. | Check the current supporting-statement requirements; see the Form 888 guide. |
| Commitment evidence | Relationship history, contact during separation and evidence of shared plans. | Connect documents to a clear, consistent account of your relationship. |
| Health and character | Police certificates and health examinations where required. | Follow Home Affairs instructions about what to obtain and when. |
| Children and other circumstances | Relevant identity, dependency, parental responsibility and consent records. | Check the additional requirements for each person included. |
Partner visa 820/801 checklist
For the onshore pathway, use the Home Affairs subclass 820 document instructions alongside this preparation overview. Check applicant, sponsor and relationship evidence separately. Our 820/801 pathway guide explains the broader process.
Already preparing the permanent 801 stage? Check the instructions for that stage rather than assuming the initial application checklist is sufficient.
Partner visa 309/100 checklist
For the offshore pathway, begin with the Home Affairs subclass 309 document instructions. Review relevant overseas identity records, translations and country-specific instructions as well as relationship evidence. See our 309/100 pathway guide.
The evidence categories overlap with onshore applications, but the application steps and individual document requirements must be checked for your pathway.
How to use the partner visa evidence checklist
- Confirm your application stage. Read the official instructions linked above.
- Gather genuine records. Organise them under financial, household, social and commitment evidence.
- Explain the context. Show the relationship timeline and explain relevant gaps or unusual arrangements.
- Track progress in the app. Mark items as you prepare and return when more evidence is available.
For more explanation of the four areas, read our relationship evidence document guide. The app gives you a practical place to track the work.
Partner visa checklist questions
Is this partner visa checklist free?
Yes. You can create a free account to use the checklist app and save your progress. No card is required.
Can I read the checklist without creating an account?
You can read the document-category overview on this page without signing in. Create an account to use the app's saved checklist and progress controls.
Does one document checklist fit every couple?
No. The appropriate evidence depends on your circumstances, pathway and stage. Use the overview to organise your preparation, then follow the current official instructions and obtain individual advice where needed.
Does completing the checklist guarantee approval?
No. Home Affairs decides the application. Collecting documents or completing progress indicators does not establish eligibility or guarantee a visa outcome.
Published by Salvo Migration, a Queensland lawyer-led legal practice. General preparation information, not individual legal advice. Refer to the linked Home Affairs instructions for current requirements.
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