Relationship Registration for Australian Partner Visas

Why Register Your Relationship?

If you and your partner are in a de facto relationship and are planning to apply for an Australian Partner Visa, registering your relationship with the relevant state or territory authority may help strengthen your application.

For eligible couples, relationship registration can remove the requirement to demonstrate that your de facto relationship has existed for at least 12 months before applying for a Partner Visa. It also provides formal recognition of your relationship and can serve as additional evidence that your relationship is genuine.

Relationship registration is particularly worth considering if you are not married and have limited evidence documenting the length of your relationship.

Couples who are already married or whose relationship is registered generally do not need to purchase this additional service, although individual circumstances and visa requirements should always be considered.

How Can Relationship Registration Help Your Partner Visa Application?

Registering your relationship can offer several potential benefits when preparing your Australian Partner Visa application:

• May satisfy the 12-month relationship requirement: For eligible applicants, a registered relationship can provide an alternative to demonstrating that the de facto relationship has existed for at least 12 months before the visa application.
• Provides additional supporting evidence: Official registration documents can help demonstrate that you and your partner have formally declared your relationship to a government authority.
• Helpful when relationship evidence is limited: If you have not accumulated extensive documentation showing how long you have been together, registration may help address this aspect of your application.
• Supports your relationship evidence: Although registration does not replace the need to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and continuing, it can form part of the supporting evidence submitted with your visa application.
• A straightforward and affordable option: Relationship registration fees vary between states and territories, but the process can be a practical step for eligible couples preparing their Partner Visa application.

Even if you have been together for more than 12 months, registering your relationship may still be worth considering, particularly if you want to provide additional formal recognition of your relationship.

Important: Relationship registration rules and eligibility criteria differ between Australian states and territories. Registration does not guarantee visa approval, and other Partner Visa requirements must still be met.

What’s Included in the DIY Relationship Registration Package?

Our DIY Relationship Registration package is designed to help you understand the registration process and prepare your application with clear, state-specific guidance.

Rather than having to navigate the relevant registry’s requirements on your own, you’ll receive practical instructions and resources tailored to the state or territory where you intend to register your relationship.

Your package includes:

• Application forms and step-by-step instructions: Guidance for completing online and paper-based relationship registration applications, where available.
• Identification and residency requirements: An explanation of the documents you may need to provide, including proof of identity and proof of residence, according to the relevant state’s requirements.
• Alternative supporting documents: Information about potential alternatives if you do not have standard identification documents or if one partner is currently overseas.
• Document certification guidance: Instructions on having documents certified by an authorised person, including information about available options in Australia and overseas.
• Authorised witness information: Guidance on finding an appropriate person to certify documents or witness your statutory declaration, where required.
• Statutory declaration assistance: Information about completing the relevant statutory declaration and understanding the requirements applicable to your state or territory.
• Legal information: A copy or reference to the legislation governing registered relationships, including relevant rights and obligations.
• Ending a registered relationship: Information about the process and relevant forms if you later need to terminate the registration.
• State registry contact details: Useful contact information for the relevant authority, including available telephone, email, postal, online and office contact options.

Each package is prepared specifically for the Australian state or territory in which you intend to register your relationship, helping you follow the requirements applicable to your circumstances.

Relationship Registration Requirements in Australia

In certain Australian states and territories, couples may be eligible to register their relationship even if only one partner resides in that jurisdiction. This can make relationship registration more accessible for couples preparing an Australian Partner Visa application.

The table below compares the Australian states and territories that offer relationship registration relevant to Partner Visa applicants, including applicable registration fees, estimated processing times and available application methods.

Requirements vary by state and territory, so it is important to check the eligibility criteria and documentation requirements for the jurisdiction where you intend to register your relationship.

Relationship Registration and Your Visa Application

Once your relationship has been registered, you may be able to provide the registration certificate as supporting documentation for your Australian Partner Visa application.

For eligible de facto couples, relationship registration may also provide an alternative to meeting the usual 12-month relationship duration requirement. However, the applicable migration rules and individual circumstances must be considered, and you will still need to satisfy the other relevant Partner Visa criteria.

If you are preparing a visa application, consider the timing of your relationship registration carefully and ensure that you understand the requirements that apply to your circumstances.

Is Your Visa Expiring Soon?

If your current visa is approaching its expiry date and you have not yet completed your relationship registration, timing may be particularly important.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to consider your available visa options and the requirements for lodging a valid application. In these situations, obtaining advice from a suitably qualified registered migration agent can help you understand the options available to you and avoid relying on assumptions about eligibility or timing.

Relationship Registration for Sponsored Visitor Visas

Relationship registration may also be relevant to some Visitor Visa applications where an Australian partner is sponsoring their de facto partner.

A registration certificate can provide additional evidence of the relationship, but it does not by itself establish eligibility for a Visitor Visa or satisfy every sponsorship requirement. Applicants should consider the specific requirements applicable to their visa subclass and circumstances.