The Risky Gamble of the DIY Australian Partner Visa: Real Statistics!
DIY-Prepared Partner Visas vs RMA-Prepared Partner Visas
Attempting an Australian Partner Visa application yourself (DIY) to save money is a massive risk. Official government data shows that nearly 50% of unrepresented (DIY) applications are refused, meaning one in two couples who go it alone lose their money and face potential separation.
Key Points
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The DIY Trap: Many couples mistakenly believe that simply being in a genuine relationship and providing basic documents (like a marriage certificate and photos) is enough to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs.
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The Shocking Statistics: Freedom of Information (FOI) data reveals massive refusal rates for unrepresented applicants:
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2015/16 Financial Year: 63.4% of applications were lodged without a professional, resulting in a 53.8% refusal rate.
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2016/17 Financial Year: 59.6% of applicants took the DIY route, resulting in a 47.0% refusal rate.
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Complexity of the Law: The Migration Act and Regulations are highly complex. DIY applicants often fail because they don't know how to navigate the strict legal and evidentiary requirements expected by Case Officers.
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The Cost of Failure: A refused visa means you lose your non-refundable government application fees (currently nearly $12,000 AUD), plus you face the heavy emotional toll of prolonged separation and the expensive, lengthy process of an appeal or starting over.
The Takeaway: While hiring a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) costs money upfront, it heavily mitigates the risk of becoming part of the 50% refusal statistic.
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!
