Using a Relationship Certificate for a Partner Visa: What It Can and Can’t Do
Applying for an Australian Partner Visa can be complex, especially for de facto couples. One option you may come across is a “relationship certificate” (also called a registered relationship or civil partnership certificate). Many wonder whether registering their relationship will guarantee a successful visa outcome. In this blog, we’ll explain what a relationship certificate is, how it can help by waiving the 12-month de facto rule, how and where to register, and what it cannot do.
Understanding the 12-Month De Facto Rule
For de facto couples (unmarried partners), immigration law usually requires proof that the relationship has existed for at least 12 months before applying. In practice, this often means showing you have lived together for one year. This is known as the “12-month de facto rule.”
Exceptions apply if:
- You are married (spouse visas do not require 12 months of living together), or
- You register your relationship in an Australian state or territory with a relationship register.
For many couples who haven’t lived together for a year, registering their relationship is the most practical way to meet eligibility.
What Is a Relationship Certificate?
A relationship certificate is an official document issued by a state or territory registry that legally recognises your de facto relationship. It functions much like a marriage certificate, but for unmarried couples.
For migration purposes, a relationship certificate waives the 12-month cohabitation requirement. With it, the Department of Home Affairs will not require evidence of 12 months living together.
Beyond immigration, relationship registration also provides legal recognition under state law, which can be useful for:
- Banks, insurance companies, hospitals, or superannuation purposes.
- Legal rights and obligations (such as property settlement or medical decision-making).
Which States Allow Relationship Registration?
Relationship registration is available in:
- New South Wales (NSW)
- Victoria (VIC)
- Queensland (QLD)
- South Australia (SA)
- Tasmania (TAS)
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
It is not available in Western Australia (WA) or the Northern Territory (NT).
Note: WA recognises de facto relationships under state law, but WA’s relationship recognition is not valid for federal migration purposes. Couples in WA or NT cannot use registration to bypass the 12-month rule.
How to Register Your Relationship
The process varies by state, but common requirements include:
- Residency: At least one partner must live in the state/territory (both must live in TAS).
- Age: Both partners must be 18 or over.
- Status: Neither partner can be married or in another registered relationship.
- Not related: You cannot be closely related by family.
- Couple type: Open to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
Process:
- Apply through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or equivalent).
- Provide identification documents for both partners.
- Complete statutory declarations confirming your relationship.
- Pay the required fee.
- Wait for the cooling-off period (commonly 28 days).
Once approved, you’ll be issued a relationship certificate. For example:
- NSW: Apply via Service NSW; 28-day cooling-off period.
- VIC: Apply via Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria; 28-day waiting period.
- QLD: Apply via BDM Queensland; residency requirements may apply.
- SA: Apply via BDM South Australia.
- TAS: Both partners must reside in Tasmania.
- ACT: Apply via Access Canberra; often called a “civil partnership.”
You don’t always need to live together at the time of registration (e.g. NSW allows non-cohabiting couples to register). However, registering is a legal act with consequences, similar to marriage, so it should not be done lightly.
How a Relationship Certificate Helps a Partner Visa
The main advantage: It removes the need to prove 12 months of living together.
This can be a game-changer if you:
- Have been together for less than a year.
- Haven’t lived together for 12 months.
- Want to apply sooner without waiting.
However, the certificate does not prove genuineness on its own. You still need to meet the standard visa criteria and provide evidence under the four pillars:
- Financial aspects
- Nature of the household
- Social recognition
- Commitment to each other
It also does not make an ineligible couple eligible—immigration officers will still assess the authenticity of the relationship overall.
What a Relationship Certificate Cannot Do
There are common misconceptions:
- “If we register, the visa will be approved.”
False. The certificate only waives the 12-month rule. You still need to prove your
relationship is genuine and ongoing. - “It’s the same as marriage for visas.”
Not exactly. Marriage automatically waives the 12-month rule. A registered
relationship does the same, but you still need to meet all de facto requirements. - “Being engaged is enough.”
Wrong. Engagement does not waive the rule. Unless you marry before applying, you
need either 12 months’ evidence or a relationship certificate. - “The certificate is all the evidence we need.”
Incorrect. You must still provide a full set of documents: joint accounts, leases, bills,
photos, travel, and social evidence.
Conclusion: The Role of a Relationship Certificate
A registered relationship certificate is a powerful tool for couples who haven’t reached 12
months together. It allows you to apply earlier for a partner visa and provides formal legal
recognition of your partnership.
But it’s not a guarantee of visa approval. The Department will still assess the authenticity
of your relationship based on evidence. Think of the certificate as one strong supporting
document—not the whole case.
For many couples, it’s a practical way to fast-track eligibility, but it must be combined with
genuine, well-documented proof of your life together.
