Registering De Facto Relationship in Australia for Partner Visa Application
Completing the Partner Visa Australia requirements can be a daunting task if you’re not married or have not lived together for 12 months. However, there’s a solution that can bring you relief – registering your de facto relationship. This process is available in certain Australian states, providing a legal pathway to meet the Partner Visa requirements. Let’s explore how to register a de facto relationship in Australia, a step that can reassure you in your visa journey.
Eligibility Criteria
Each Australian state may have different eligibility criteria, but in general, you must meet the following requirements to register your de facto relationship:
- Be over 18 years old;
- Must not be related by family or blood;
- Be legally and free to be in a de facto relationship.
It’s important to note that the relationship registration process is inclusive, welcoming both same-sex and opposite-sex couples in Australia. If one partner was previously in a relationship, they must provide evidence of separation and that they are now free to enter into a new relationship.
Currently, registering a de facto relationship is available in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. You can register your relationship in Western Australia, but the Department does not recognise it for migration purposes. Relationship registration is not available in the Northern Territory.
New South Wales
You can apply for relationship registration if you or your partner lives in New South Wales. You don’t have to live together to be eligible for relationship registration in New South Wales. In addition to that, you and your partner must be:
- above 18 years old;
- not married to each other or anyone else;
- not already in a registered relationship in any state or territory in Australia;
- not in a relationship with anyone else;
- not related by family or blood.
Queensland
You can register your relationship in Queensland if you and your partner are over 18. Either you or your partner must live in Queensland. Also, both you and your partner must:
- provide three forms of proof of ID;
- not married or already registered relationship with anyone else;
- not in a prohibited relationship;
- provide evidence that you’re no longer married (if you previously married);
- provide supporting documents in English or have been translated into English;
- pay the registration fee of AUD 159.00.
The Australian Capital Territory
Registering your relationship in the Australian Capital Territory is possible if you and your partner:
- are both adults;
- live in ACT (either you or your partner);
- is not married or in a civil union or a civil partnership;
- are not related biologically.
Discover: 4 Pillars Partner Visa: Evidence of Genuine Relationship
Victoria
To register your relationship in Victoria, you and your partner must:
- be at least 18 years old;
- live in Victoria at the time of application (either you or your partner);
- not already married or in a registered relationship or in another relationship that could be registered;
- provide domestic support to each other;
- committed to each other both personally and financially.
Tasmania
The requirements to register your relationship in Tasmania are:
- Both of you and your partner live in Tasmania (not as a tourist or visitor);
- Both of you and your partner are not married or related by family;
- Both of you and your partner are in a genuine relationship with each other.
South Australia
You can register your relationship in South Australia if either you or your partner lives in South Australia and both of you are at least 18 years old. You cannot register your relationship if:
- Both of you are married;
- One of you are already in a registered relationship;
- One of you are in a relationship with another person;
- Both of you are related by family.
Learn more: De Facto Partner Visa Australia – Requirements & Evidence
How to Register De Facto Relationship in Australia
Step 1: Check the Requirements on the Respective Australian state
As mentioned above, each Australian state has different requirements regarding registering a de facto relationship. You can register your relationship to your state’s Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
Step 2: Gather All Required Documents
You must provide supporting documents to register your relationship, including your identification, proof of address, and evidence of your relationship. Here are some examples of supporting documents you need to prepare:
- Evidence of identification:
- Australian or overseas birth certificate
- Australian or overseas passport
- Proof of your residential address in Australia:
- Utility account with proof of payment (electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.),
- Rates notice,
- Lease agreement,
- Home insurance paper,
- Vehicle registration papers, etc.
- The link between photo and signature:
- Australian or overseas driver’s licence,
- Australian or overseas passport,
- Photo card issued by a government agency.
- Evidence of relationship:
- Photos together,
- Record of joint travel/visiting each other,
- Single certificate,
- Lease agreement with both names (if you’ve lived together for less than 12 months).
Step 3: Apply Online
You must complete the Relationship Registration form on the state’s official website. Then, you will receive an email confirming your application with instructions for further process.
Below is the link where you can complete the online form:
- New South Wales, apply here
- Queensland, apply here
- The Australian Capital Territory, complete this form and email it to [email protected]
- Victoria, apply here
- Tasmania, apply here
- South Australia, apply here
Step 4: Wait for Processing
The processing time varies depending on the state or territory. After the State Authority approves your documents, there might be a ‘cool down’ period of about 28 days. This period is designed to allow for any objections to be raised before the relationship is officially registered.
Step 5: Relationship Certificate Issuance
If your application is successful, you will receive the relationship certificate by email or mail. Except for ACT and Tasmania, you must apply for the relationship certificate issuance. Here is the link to apply for a relationship certificate in Tasmania and ACT:
What are the benefits of registering your relationship?
Other than completing Partner Visa Australia requirements, here are the benefits of registering your relationship:
- Formal legal recognition in Australia, especially for immigration and other legal purposes.
- Ability to apply for a Partner Visa even though you haven’t met the 12-month cohabitation requirement.
- Reduced burden for showing the relationship’s legitimacy as the registration is recognised under the relevant legislation.
Can ONEderland Consulting assist me?
While a Migration Agent cannot represent relationship registration, ONEderland Consulting can address any concerns you may have relating to Partner Visa Australia requirements or the process of registering your de facto relationship. We can provide guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring you understand your obligations and rights.
Our visa specialists at ONE derland Consulting will assist and give you complete suggestions on meeting the Partner Visa Australia requirements. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional and honest and speak various languages, such as Mandarin/Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.
