Partner Visa Overview for Melbourne Applicants
The partner visa (subclass 820/801 onshore or 309/100 offshore) allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia. For couples based in Melbourne, the application process involves gathering extensive evidence of your genuine and continuing relationship, much of which may require NAATI-certified translation if documents originate from a non-English-speaking country.
Core Identity Documents
Both the sponsoring partner and the applicant must provide identity documents. If either partner holds documents issued in a language other than English, NAATI-certified translations are mandatory. Required identity documents include:
- Passport – current and any previous passports
- Birth certificate – for both partners
- National identity card – if applicable in the applicant's home country
- Change of name certificate – if either partner has changed their legal name
- Divorce decree or death certificate – if either partner was previously married
Relationship Evidence with a Victorian Focus
The Department of Home Affairs assesses relationship evidence across four pillars: financial aspects, nature of the household, social context, and commitment to each other. Melbourne-based couples can draw on a wealth of Victorian-specific evidence:
Financial Evidence
- Joint bank account statements from Australian banks (CBA, ANZ, Westpac, NAB branches across Melbourne)
- Joint lease or mortgage documents for a Melbourne property
- Shared household bills – electricity (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia), gas, water (South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, City West Water depending on your Melbourne suburb)
- Joint Myki card top-ups or auto top-up linked to a shared account
- CityLink or EastLink toll account in joint names
Household Evidence
- Residential tenancy agreement registered with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) in Victoria
- Council rate notices from your local Melbourne council (City of Melbourne, Monash, Boroondara, Whittlesea, Wyndham, etc.)
- Shared contents insurance for your Melbourne home
- Mail addressed to both partners at the same Victorian address
Social Evidence
- Statutory declarations from friends and family in Melbourne attesting to the relationship (witnessed by a Victorian JP or pharmacist)
- Photos together at recognisable Melbourne locations – Flinders Street Station, Royal Botanic Gardens, Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley wineries, Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Evidence of attending events together – Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, AFL matches, Melbourne International Film Festival
- Joint membership to Melbourne organisations – Melbourne Zoo, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum
Commitment Evidence
- Marriage certificate – if married in Victoria, this will be issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. If married overseas, a NAATI-certified translation is required.
- Registered relationship certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria (for de facto couples)
- Wills naming each other as beneficiaries, prepared by a Victorian solicitor
- Superannuation beneficiary nominations listing your partner
- Evidence of joint future plans – property purchases in Melbourne, holiday bookings, correspondence about starting a family
Statutory Declarations & Witness Statements
Partner visa applications require two statutory declarations from Australian citizens or permanent residents who know both partners and can attest to the genuineness of the relationship. In Victoria, statutory declarations must be witnessed by an authorised person such as a Justice of the Peace, pharmacist, medical practitioner, or legal practitioner. Free JP signing services are available at many Melbourne locations including the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne Magistrates' Court, and local council offices throughout metropolitan Melbourne.
Victorian Police Checks
The sponsoring partner must provide an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check, and in some cases a Victoria Police check may also be requested. The applicant must provide police clearances from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more since turning 16. Overseas police clearances not in English require NAATI-certified translation.
Documents Requiring Translation
For Melbourne-based partner visa applications, the most commonly translated documents include:
- Overseas birth certificates and marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees from foreign courts
- Police clearance certificates from the applicant's home country
- Statutory declarations or affidavits written in the applicant's native language
- Family register books or household registration documents
- Correspondence, chat logs, or letters between the couple in a non-English language (selected samples)
