What the Department of Home Affairs Now Expects

The Department of Home Affairs has issued updated guidance through its Partner Processing Newsletter (April 2026) directing registered migration agents and legal practitioners to take an active role in maintaining relationship evidence for partner visa applications that remain under assessment for extended periods.

The guidance is clear: relationship evidence is not a one-time submission. It is expected to be refreshed on a regular basis throughout the processing period.

The 6 to 12 Month Refresh Requirement

According to the April 2026 newsletter, agents and practitioners are specifically encouraged to prompt clients to refresh relationship evidence every 6 to 12 months. This applies to all applications currently under assessment, regardless of how long they have already been lodged.

Partner visa processing times in Australia currently extend well beyond 12 months for most applicants. This means the vast majority of pending applications are directly affected by this guidance.

What Evidence Must Be Updated

The Department identifies three categories of evidence that must be kept current:

Evidence CategoryExamples of Updated DocumentsFinancialJoint bank account statements, shared loan or mortgage documents, updated insurance policies naming both partiesHouseholdCurrent lease agreements, updated utility bills in both names, evidence of a shared residential addressSocialRecent photographs together, updated statutory declarations from friends or family, social media records showing continued cohabitation or visits

Where an applicant's circumstances have changed since lodgement, such as a change of address, separation and reconciliation, or long periods apart due to travel, updated personal statements are also expected.

Why This Guidance Matters

Partner visa decisions are made by a case officer who must be satisfied that the relationship is genuine and ongoing at the time of decision, not merely at the time of application. Outdated evidence creates a gap between what was lodged and what the officer can assess.

Failing to maintain current evidence is a practical risk. Case officers may request further information, or in some circumstances, proceed to a decision on the file as it stands. Neither outcome is in the applicant's interest if the evidence does not reflect the current state of the relationship.

Practical Steps for Applicants

1. Confirm with your migration lawyer or agent the date your application was lodged and when evidence was last updated.
2. Set a calendar reminder every 6 months to gather fresh financial, household and social evidence.
3. If your circumstances have changed at any point since lodgement, provide an updated statutory declaration explaining those changes.
4. Ensure your lawyer or agent uploads all updated documents to your ImmiAccount or advises you on the correct submission method.
5. Retain copies of all evidence submitted, including upload confirmations.

Key Takeaways

• The Department of Home Affairs expects partner visa relationship evidence to be refreshed every 6 to 12 months during the assessment period.
• Three categories must be kept current: financial, household and social evidence.
• Updated personal statements are required where circumstances have changed.
• This guidance applies to all applications currently under assessment, regardless of lodgement date.
• Responsibility is shared between the applicant and their registered agent or migration lawyer.

The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.

Speak with a Riverwood Migration Lawyer

For partner and family visa matters, we recommend speaking with Shirly Wang, our lawyer specialising in partner and family migration pathways. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances.

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