How to Write Strong Relationship Statement for Partner Visa

When applying for an Australian partner visa, one of the most important documents you will need to prepare is a relationship statement. This is not just a formality, it is your opportunity to tell your unique story directly to the Department case officer. It allows you to share, in your own words, how your relationship began, how it has grown, and why it is genuine, ongoing, and built on mutual love and respect.

Think of it as a chance to give the case officer a window into your lives as a couple, your journey, your challenges, and your future plans together. A well-written statement helps bring your application to life and ensures that the officer understands the sincerity and depth of your relationship beyond the supporting documents.

Both the applicant and the sponsor must provide their own statement. These can be written on plain paper or in the form of a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration, each individually signed..

What Your Statement Should Cover

Your relationship statement should give a clear and honest picture of your life together. It should:

• Explain how you met and how the relationship began
• Describe how your relationship developed over time
• Outline financial aspects such as joint accounts, shared expenses, or commitments
• Explain your household arrangements, including how you share daily responsibilities
• Show how you present yourselves as a couple in public and within your community
• Highlight the social and community aspects of your relationship
• Detail your future plans together such as career goals, family planning, or long-term living arrangements

A strong statement should not only cover the facts but also reflect your personal voice, showing the care, trust, understanding, and respect that underpin your relationship. Wherever possible, link your story to the supporting evidence you are providing (for example, joint bank statements, photos, or letters, texts,).

Important Tips for Writing an Effective Partner Visa Relationship Statement:

1. The Start of Your Relationship Journey

When writing this section of your relationship statement, try to be as detailed and genuine as possible. Explain how and when you first met, including the exact date your relationship began. Describe how things developed between you. For example, did you start as friends before becoming partners? Did you know each other from school or reconnect after some time apart? If you met through a dating app, do not hesitate to mention it, every detail helps to make your story more authentic.

Go into detail about how your relationship moved from casual to committed. For instance, who proposed the idea of taking things further, and what was the other person’s reaction? Explain what initially attracted you to your partner and how you felt when you first met them. It might feel unusual to write these things down, but they are important to demonstrate the genuine nature of your relationship.

You should also include shared hobbies, common friends, how often you went out together for dinners, movies, or social events, and any memorable dates or times. The more specific you are, the stronger your statement will be, as it shows your relationship has depth, continuity, and authenticity.

2. How Did Your Relationship Develop?

Think about how your relationship has grown stronger over time. When did it become more serious? When did you first start living together, and what did that mean for your daily lives?

What were the major milestones in your journey as a couple? Did you celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, or the day you first met in a special way? Were there any significant events that brought you closer, such as supporting each other through a tough time or making an important decision together?

When did you first introduce your partner to your friends and family? How did that feel, and what did it mean for both of you?

As you answer these questions, try to explain how your bond developed from casual beginnings into a genuine, committed relationship. The more detail you provide, the easier it will be for the Case Officer to see that your relationship is real and ongoing.

3. Everyday Life

Your relationship statement should give a clear picture of your everyday life as a couple. Describe how you manage your household together. Who usually does the cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping? If you have pets or children, explain how you share those responsibilities. Even small details, like who cooks on certain days or who takes care of laundry, help to show that your relationship is genuine.

4. Activities 

It is also important to talk about what you do for leisure. Do you share hobbies, go on holidays, or attend community events together? What does a typical weekend look like for you both? Including details about how you spend your free time highlights the bond you share outside of daily routines.

5. Finances

Outline how you manage your finances as a couple. Explain how you pay for rent, utilities, groceries, or loans. Do you use a joint bank account? How often do you use it, and for what? Have you named each other as beneficiaries for superannuation or insurance? If one partner does not earn an income, explain how you manage expenses together. Showing how you share financial responsibilities is a key part of proving that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.

6. Explaining Periods of Separation

If you and your partner have spent time apart, it is important to explain this clearly in your statement. Describe the reasons for your separation, such as work, family commitments, study, or travel. Provide details about how long you were apart and how you stayed in touch during that time.

You should also explain the ways you communicated, whether it was through regular phone calls, text messages, emails, or video calls. If you took separate holidays, mention how you maintained contact while away.

Periods of separation are often carefully reviewed by case officers, so it is important to show that you maintained a close and genuine connection despite the distance. Many couples were separated during the pandemic  time when there were travel bans. If this applied to you, describe the situation fully and give examples of how you kept in touch. Even small details, like daily chats, virtual family catch-ups, or sharing meals over video calls, can help to show the strength of your relationship.

7. Social Recognition and Future Plans

Your relationship statement should also show how your partnership is recognised and valued by your family, friends, and wider community. If you have been jointly invited to weddings, birthdays, Christmas gatherings, or other events, include details of when and where these events took place and whether you attended together. Explain how often you go out with family and friends and how you present yourselves publicly as a couple. This demonstrates that your relationship is visible and accepted within your social circles.

It is equally important to highlight your future plans. Showing that your relationship is ongoing gives the Department confidence that it is genuine and long-term. You can include upcoming holidays you have booked, future weddings or family events you plan to attend, or even milestones such as saving for a home, planning a wedding, or having children. If you are preparing for major purchases or making financial commitments together, detail these as well.

Together, these social and future-oriented details provide strong evidence that your relationship is not only genuine but also recognised by others and built on shared plans for the years ahead.

8. Check Spelling and Grammar

Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. Take the time to double-check place names, your partner’s name, and family names. If it helps, print the statement and read it on paper; you may spot errors that are easy to miss on a screen. Use clear, simple English so the case officer can follow it easily. Finally, cross-check that all dates and events match between both statements. Use clear, simple English so the statement is easy to follow.

Remember, this is your opportunity to present your “relationship roadmap” – a story of your past, present, and future as a couple.

Why It Matters

The Department places significant weight on these statements. Case officers carefully compare them with your supporting evidence (such as photos, joint documents, and financial records). Any gaps or inconsistencies may raise concerns about the genuineness of your relationship.

Professional Guidance

If you choose to work with a Registered Migration Agent (RMA), they can guide you through the process by providing templates and examples of well-prepared statements. This guidance not only helps you structure your statement in a clear and professional way, but also ensures that what you write aligns with the supporting evidence you provide. Having an RMA’s input gives you confidence that your statement will be consistent, accurate, and free from avoidable mistakes, making your application stronger overall.

Need Help with Your Partner Visa? We Are Here to Assist

We are specialists in Partner Visa applications, and our Australian Registered Migration Agent has previous experience working with the Department of Immigration, giving us a deep understanding of how cases are assessed. This means we know how to handle each application with care and professionalism. We also offer free initial consultations, so please feel free to contact us if you would like to check your eligibility or have any questions about your partner visa application.