You’ve collected your photos, joint lease, and bank statements. You’ve already done the real work of building a life together. Then comes the part many couples struggle with: statutory declarations. Not because they are complex, but because most people don’t know what immigration officers expect to see.
This guide explains what actually matters and helps you write a declaration that works.
Your Own Declaration: Stop Writing a Timeline, Start Writing a Re
Many couples make the same mistake. They list events in order. “We met in March 2021. We moved in together in July 2022.” This reads like a summary, not proof of a real relationship.
A case officer wants to see how your relationship works in daily life. How do you make decisions together? What does a normal day look like? How do you handle challenges?
The Four Areas You Need to Cover
The Department assesses your relationship across four areas, commonly drawn from the criteria set out in the Migration Regulations 1994.
- Financial aspects, such as shared expenses or joint accounts
- Nature of the household, including living arrangements and responsibilities
- Social aspects, like how you present as a couple to others
- Commitment, including future plans and how well you know each other
What to Include
Be specific and personal. “We cook dinner together most evenings, and my partner adds too much chilli” gives a clearer picture than “we share household duties.”
Show how you support each other. Mention real situations. Did one of you relocate for the relationship? Did you support each other through illness, job loss, or a difficult period? These details show a genuine partnership.
Write in the first person and use your own voice. Case officers read many declarations. Anything that sounds copied or generic stands out for the wrong reasons.
Third-Party Declarations: Choose People Who Actually Know You Together
Do not pick someone who only knows you, but not your partner. A long-time friend who has never met your partner is not useful. You need someone who has seen your relationship in real life.
Choose people who have spent time with both of you. This could be someone who has visited your home, joined you at events, or watched how you interact over time. Their statement carries more weight because it reflects direct experience.
What They Should Include
A strong third-party declaration should clearly explain:
- How they know both of you and for how long
- Specific times they have seen you together
- Their honest view of your relationship
Avoid vague statements. “They are a great couple” does not help. A useful declaration includes real details. For example, a shared dinner, a trip, or a moment that shows how you support each other. These details show the relationship is genuine.
Who Can Witness the Declaration
Both your declaration and third-party ones must be witnessed by an authorised person under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.
In Australia, authorised witnesses include a justice of the peace, barrister or solicitor, medical practitioner, police officer, pharmacist, and many others.
Check the full list on the Attorney-General’s Department website. Do not choose someone unqualified just because it is easier. If the witness is not authorised, the declaration will not be valid.
The Form You Actually Use
The form you use is the Commonwealth statutory declaration form, available from the Attorney-General’s Department website as a PDF or Word document. You can also create one digitally through myGov without needing a witness, provided you have a verified Digital ID.
The form itself is brief. What matters is the content you include. The strength of your declaration comes from what you write in the body or attach as supporting detail.
One Thing Most People Get Wrong About Length
Longer is not better. A 12-page statutory declaration that repeats the same points does not strengthen your case. A clear, focused 3 to 4-page statement that covers the criteria with real detail works better.
Case officers review a high volume of applications. They look for clear, specific information. What matters is how well you show your relationship, not how many pages you write.
Before You Submit
Run through this checklist before you lodge your application:
- Have you covered all four areas: financial, household, social, and commitment?
- Is every statement specific to your relationship, not generic?
- Have all declarations been witnessed by an authorised person, with their qualification clearly stated?
- Are your third-party declarants people who have actually seen you together?
If you are unsure about the strength of your declaration, consider getting it reviewed by a registered migration agent or an immigration lawyer. You can verify a migration agent’s registration through the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Immigration lawyers are regulated through their state or territory’s legal professional body instead. A review now often costs less than dealing with a request for more information or a refusal later.
Your declaration is your chance to speak directly to a case officer about your relationship. Use it to clearly show how your relationship works in real life.
Data Sources:
Migration Regulations 1994, Regulation 1.09A (De Facto Partner and De Facto Relationship)
