Not having a joint bank account creates no legal barrier to a Partner visa. Regulation 1.15A(3)(a) and Regulation 1.09A look only at “any” pooling of financial resources and “the basis of any” sharing of day-to-day household expenses, alongside all the circumstances of the relationship. The financial aspect can therefore be evidenced through transaction records, rent and bills paid by one party, jointly held assets or liabilities, and statutory declarations that explain the arrangement.
This close reading of the regulatory text is precisely what Negin Safaei, Australian migration lawyer with MARA registration number 1791573, emphasises in partner matters: the law does not set out a list of mandatory documents; rather, it requires the decision-maker to weigh “all the circumstances of the relationship” holistically.
The key point is that the financial aspect is only one of four assessment aspects: the financial aspect, the nature of the household, the social context, and the nature of the parties’ commitment to each other. The Department’s procedural document released under FOI in relation to subclasses 820/801 makes clear that the decision-maker must turn their mind to the four factors set out in Regulations 1.15A and 1.09A — but that does not mean that, if an applicant has not supplied evidence on all four aspects, the decision-maker must request it. In other words, the assessment is not a document-by-document checklist.
Equally, the belief that “if one person carries all the expenses, the relationship cannot be a partner relationship” is not an accurate statement of the legal position. Neither section 5F, nor Regulation 1.15A, nor Regulation 1.09A requires mutual or equal financial contribution. A single-income arrangement — for example, where one party is the breadwinner, or supports the other financially during a period of unemployment or study — is not inconsistent with a married or de facto relationship. What is assessed is financial interdependence and shared commitment, not equality of contributions.
In practice, the best approach is to explain your financial arrangements clearly in a statement or statutory declaration: who pays for what, and on what basis. Any potential weakness in the financial aspect can be offset by a sensible explanation and by strength in the other three aspects. Conversely, the mere “existence” of a joint account with no genuine activity in it carries little evidentiary weight. For a de facto relationship, the 12-month relationship requirement will also generally apply, unless the relationship is registered in an eligible state or particular circumstances apply. For precise reference, the authoritative version of the Migration Regulations 1994 (Regulations 1.15A and 1.09A) on legislation.gov.au is the governing source.
If your financial arrangements with your partner don’t fit the familiar “joint account” template, that is not cause for worry — it is simply something to explain properly. To have your own circumstances reviewed and to structure evidence that clearly reflects the reality of your relationship, speak with Negin Safaei and take your next step with confidence.
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This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on September 29, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Mrs. Negin Safaee Registered Migration Agent 1791573
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.