HOW TO REGISTER YOUR RELATIONSHIP FOR A PARTNER VISA AS A DEFACTO PARTNER IN AUSTRALIA?

To apply for a Partner Visa (subclass 820) as a Secondary Applicant on de facto grounds, you would need to show that you have cohabitated with your Partner for at least 12 months.

However, you may be exempted from the 12-month cohabitation requirement, if you register your domestic relationship in the Australian state or territory you live in. It is important to note that the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria are the only states that have laws in place allowing a relationship to be registered in accordance with the Acts Interpretation (Registered Relationships) Regulations 2019.

Registration of the relationship provides legal recognition under the state law and as well as being beneficial for immigration purposes. The standard requirements to register a relationship are:

• Both parties must be at least 18 years of age.
• They must not already be married to each other.
• They must not already be married, in a de facto relationship or in a registered relationship with any other person.
• They must not be related by family or blood.

Each Australian state and territory have other additional requirements, different processing times and their own fee structures. You can find the relevant information on the following links: 

• Victoria – click here
• New South Wales – click here
• Queensland – click here
• Tasmania – click here
• ACT – click here
• South Australia – click here 

If you’re eligible to register your relationship and you’re looking to apply for your visa soon, it is imperative that you apply as soon as possible, as there may be delays and/or “cooling down” periods, depending on the state or territory.

If you wish to book and appointment with one of our Immigration Lawyers, please call us on 0451400601 today.

Disclaimer: 

The information in this blog is general. It does not constitute, and should be not relied on as, legal advice. We tries to ensure that the content of this information is accurate, adequate or complete, it does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy or completeness. We are not responsible for any loss suffered as a result of or in relation to the use of this information.