Can You Apply for an Australian Partner Visa With Less Than 12 Months of Relationship?
Many couples believe they must be in a relationship for at least 12 months before applying for an Australian Partner Visa. But what if your relationship is less than 12 months? Is applying for the Partner Visa still possible?
While this rule applies to de facto relationships, the reality carries varying stories.
In certain circumstances, couples may still qualify for the Partner Visa even if their relationship has existed for less than 12 months. The key is whether they are married, have registered their relationship, or can demonstrate compelling evidence of their genuine relationship.
If you’re in the same situation, you must understand how the Department of Home Affairs assesses relationships before deciding which pathway is the best for you.
Also, at the end of this article, we will give you a short case study of our clients who got their Partner Visa application granted while their relationship was less than 12 months.
Is 12 Months Required for a Partner Visa in Australia?
The Department of Home Affairs requires couples to show they have lived together in a genuine relationship for at least 12 months if they are applying for the Partner Visa as a de facto couple.
However, this requirement does not apply if:
- The couple is legally married
- The relationship is officially registered under an Australian state or territory law
- There are compelling and compassionate circumstances
It means couples who have not yet lived together for 12 months may still have options.
Choosing the correct pathways is critical to avoid unnecessary visa refusals or delays.
Read more: Can I Apply for Partner Visa Without Living Together?
Applying for Partner Visa in Australia as a Married vs a De Facto Couple
Understanding the difference between a married and a de facto Partner Visa is important.
De Facto Partner Visa in Australia
The requirements mainly include:
- 12 months of living together
- Evidence of shared financial responsibilities
- Evidence of a shared household
- Social recognition of the relationship
- Long-term commitment
Married Partner Visa in Australia
If the couple is legally married, the 12-month cohabitation requirement does not apply.
However, the Department of Home Affairs will still examine whether the relationship is:
- Genuine
- Ongoing
- Not entered into for migration purposes
So, marriage alone does not guarantee approval.
Evidence When Cohabitation Is Limited
Many couples who are applying for a Partner Visa experience periods of separation due to:
- Work commitments
- International borders
- Study obligations
- Visa restrictions
In these cases, couples must show that the relationship continued despite living apart.
If you’re in this situation, consider providing the following evidence to strengthen your application:
- Communication record
- Chat history
- Video calls
- Emails
- Phone logs
- Travel evidence
- Flight tickets
- Passport stamps
- Hotel bookings
- Travel photos
- Financial support
- Money transfers
- Shared expenses
- Joint purchases
- Future Plans
- Engagement
- Wedding planning
- Shared living plans
- Statements from friends and family
Read more: Partner Visa Evidence – Key to Strengthen Your Application
How Case Officers Assess Relationship Genuineness
When assessing a Partner Visa application, the Department of Home Affairs typically examine four (4) key areas, which are known as the 4 pillars in a Partner Visa application for Australia.
1. Financial aspects
Evidence of shared finances includes:
- Joint bank accounts
- Shared bills
- Shared assets
- Financial support
2. Nature of the household
Evidence showing how the couple manages daily life:
- Living arrangements
- Household responsibilities
- Lease agreements
- Utility bills
3. Social aspects
Evidence that the relationship is recognised socially:
- Photos together
- Invitations
- Social media
- Statements from friends and family
4. Nature of commitment
Evidence of long-term commitment:
- Relationship statements
- Future plans
- Shared travel
- Important life decisions
Through these four pillars, you are expected to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and continuing.
Common Mistakes Couples Make in Providing Evidence
Many Partner Visa refusal cases occur due to poor evidence preparation.
Some common mistakes couples make include:
- Submitting too many photos, but little evidence: Photos alone rarely demonstrate the depth of a relationship.
- Lack of financial evidence: Couples often forget to include proof of shared finances.
- Inconsistent relationship timelines: Contradictions between statements and documents can raise concerns.
- Weak relationship statements: Generic or short statements may not clearly explain the relationship history.
- Waiting until the last minute: Collecting evidence only shortly before the visa application can weaken the case.
To avoid these mistakes, you must prepare the evidence early and strategically.
Case Study: Couples Who Obtained Partner Visa While Relationship Was Less Than 12 Months
Our clients, Jonathon and Nicole (not their real names), approached us after being in a relationship for only six months.
They met in Australia when Jonathon was on a Working Holiday Visa. Due to the work commitments, they had to live in different cities and spent most weekends together.
As the visa expiry approached, they realised they had not yet lived together for 12 months, which meant they did not qualify as a de facto couple. They also found that the state where Jonathon and Nicole lived did not allow relationship registration.
Moving to a new state was not the best choice for them, considering how much they had built their life in the states they lived in.
After reviewing their situation, the couple decided to marry overseas. After the marriage, Jonathon came to Australia on a Visitor Visa (subclass 600). They decided to apply for the Partner Visa based on marriage onshore.
Thankfully, the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) was granted without the 8503 – No Further Stay condition, making the transition to the onshore Partner Visa go smoothly.
Jonathon was then granted a Bridging Visa A, allowing him to stay lawfully in Australia until a decision was made for their Partner Visa application.
With the correct visa strategy and supporting evidence, the application was successfully granted a year later.
Now, Jonathon and Nicole have lived happily in Australia with no worries about being separated.
Their case clearly shows how choosing the right pathway can overcome common obstacles.
When Professional Guidance Becomes Important
Partner Visa applications may appear simple, but it often involves complex legal criteria.
Common complications include:
- Relationships less than 12 months
- Limited cohabitation
- Visa expiry pressure
- Long-distance relationships
- Previous visa refusals
In these cases, obtaining professional advice from a Registered Migration Agent can help you understand the most suitable strategy.
Find the best Migration Agent for Partner Visa application here.
Final Thoughts
Applying for an Australian Partner Visa with a relationship of less than 12 months can be challenging, but it is not always impossible.
The key factors that the Department of Home Affairs assess are not just the duration of the relationship, but whether the relationship is:
- Genuine
- Ongoing
- Supported by credible evidence
Understanding the correct visa pathway, whether through marriage, de facto registration, or alternative strategies, can make a significant difference to the outcome.
At ONEderland Consulting, our Registered Migration Agents will assist you, whether your case involves:
- Partner visas with limited cohabitation
- Complex relationship evidence
- Visa strategy if your relationship is under 12 months
- Long-distance relationship cases
Book an appointment today to get your personalised advice:
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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 MARA. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews to see the difference we’ve made for others. You can be confident that you are in good hands.
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