skilled migration visa australia, 189 subclass visa australia - VisaAdvisor
Home » Partner & Family Visas » Resources » Proof Of Shared Living For Australian Partner Family Visas

Proof of Shared Living for Australian Partner & Family Visas

What Is Proof of Shared Living?

Proof of shared living refers to the documents and evidence you provide to demonstrate that you and your partner or family member have been living together at the same address for a substantial period.

It helps confirm that your relationship is genuine and continuing, a key requirement for Partner and Family Visa applications. 

Why Is Proof of Shared Living Important?

It proves the genuineness of the relationship, which is essential for visa approval.

It verifies the duration of your cohabitation, strengthening your application.

It ensures that you and your partner or family member have a stable living arrangement, which is a key factor for Australian immigration authorities.

Why Is Proof of Shared Living Important?

The Department of Home Affairs requires specific documentation to prove that you and your partner have been living together. Common acceptable documents include: 

Joint lease agreements or tenancy agreements with both names

Utility bills (e.g., electricity, water, gas) addressed to both individuals.

Bank statements showing joint accounts or shared financial responsibilities.

Photographs together in various shared locations, such as your home or holidays.

Affidavits or statutory declarations from friends or family verifying your shared living arrangement.

Government correspondence (e.g., tax or insurance statements) addressed to both individuals at the same address.

How to Provide Evidence of Shared Living

When submitting your Partner or Family Visa application, ensure you:

Include a variety of documents to demonstrate the strength of your shared living arrangement.

Provide evidence over a reasonable time period, ideally covering the last 12 months, but a minimum of 6 months of cohabitation is preferred.

Ensure documents are consistent, e.g., showing the same address on multiple documents.

Translate documents if they are in a language other than English, with certified translations where necessary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Insufficient evidence: Relying on a single document like a lease agreement may not be enough. Provide a variety of documents from different sources.

Inconsistent dates or addresses: Ensure that the dates and addresses match across all documents provided.

Failure to include statutory declarations: These can provide additional context and are especially important when formal documents are not available.

Not providing evidence of the required duration of shared living: Immigration authorities typically prefer evidence covering at least 6-12 months of shared living.

❓FAQ Section

Ideally, you should provide evidence for at least 6-12 months of cohabitation to demonstrate the genuineness of your relationship. 

If you don’t have a formal lease agreement, you can provide utility bills, joint bank statements, or affidavits from friends or family as additional evidence. 

Yes, photos together at the same address or during joint activities can help support your application but should be submitted alongside more formal documents.

Yes, a statutory declaration from friends, family, or other people who can verify your shared living arrangement is acceptable. 

📞 Book a Free Consultation with a Migration Expert

Speak directly with a MARA-registered migration agent and have your Skilled Visa strategy explained step-by-step — at no cost.

  • 100% Free
  • No Obligation
  • Confidential Advice
📖 Book a Free Consultation

Why Trust Visa Advisor?

Choosing the right migration partner can make all the difference. 

 Here’s why Visa Advisor is the trusted choice

Expert Guidance

MARA-registered agents with years of experience simplify your migration journey.

Transparent Pricing

Clear, upfront costs with no hidden fees—just honest advice.

Global Support

Flexible online and in-person consultations, wherever you are.

Smart Tools

Advanced visa finders and calculators to make decisions easier.

Proven Results

Trusted by clients for reliable, personalized migration support.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not guarantee visa approval. All visa applications are subject to the discretion of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For personalized guidance, please contact a registered migration agent at Visa Advisor.