The Risky Gamble of the DIY Australian Partner Visa: Real Statistics!
DIY-Prepared Partner Visas vs RMA-Prepared Partner Visas
Question: What are the chances of an Australian Partner visa being refused if I apply myself?
Answer: Applying for an Australian Partner visa yourself can save on professional fees, but historical Department of Home Affairs statistics obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests reported refusal rates of 53.8% in 2015–16 and 47% in 2016–17 for unrepresented applicants. These figures highlight the potential risks of DIY applications, but they are historical and do not predict the outcome of an individual case.
A genuine relationship alone is not enough. Your application needs clear, consistent evidence covering the four key aspects of your relationship: financial arrangements, household responsibilities, social recognition, and mutual commitment. Missing evidence, contradictory documents, or misunderstandings of visa requirements can weaken an otherwise genuine application.
A Registered Migration Agent (RMA) can help identify evidence gaps, check document consistency, and explain how migration requirements apply to your circumstances. Ultimately, the risk of a DIY application is not simply filling in the forms yourself—it is overlooking something important that could affect the outcome. Professional assistance can help identify potential weaknesses, but no agent can guarantee visa approval.
The Shocking Truth: Almost a 50% Refusal Rate for DIYers
The Real Facts!
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2015/16 Financial Year: Roughly 63.4% of partner visa applications were lodged without appointing a migration professional, and a staggering 53.8% of those unrepresented applications were refused.
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2016/17 Financial Year: Around 59.6% went the DIY route, with a refusal rate sitting at 47.0%.
Figures from https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/foi/files/2018/fa180100060-document-released.pdf
Why Do DIY Partner Visas Fail?
The Heavy Price of a Refusal
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Lost Fees: Department application fees are substantial (currently nearly AUD $12,000). A refusal means that money is gone.
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Forced Separation: If you applied onshore (Subclass 820) and get refused, you are suddenly facing strict limitations, and you may be stuck offshore while trying to sort out the wreckage or fight a review. An offshore application (Subclass 309) means similar time apart.
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Lengthy Delays: Re-lodging or fighting through merits review adds years of stress, heart-wrenching distance, and uncertainty to your lives.
Don't Gamble with Your Future Together
Who are Down Under Visa? Who is Jeff Harvie?
Jeff Harvie and the Down Under Visa team have been doing this for a lot of years! Down Under Visa have brought thousands of couples to Australia from South East Asia over the years. Mostly from the Philippines, but we help increasing numbers of couples where the visa applicant is from China, Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. And what this means is we see a lot of success....and we also see failures when people go it alone after talking to their mate, or their relative, or that minimal-care-no-responsibility Facebook group run by Steve and Maribeth based on their own visa application! One application, and they feel qualified to advise others! It's not even LEGAL to do that!
Want to bring your sweetheart to Australia from The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia or Southeast Asia? Get a FREE VISA ASSESSMENT today! It won't take you long, and you will be rewarded with a clear and detailed assessment that will tell you everything you need. One assessment only!
