Australia Partner Visa — Form 888 Supporting Statement (Witness)
DHA / Form 888 · Last reviewed 2026-08-07 · Download PDF
Form 888 is a supporting statement by a witness who knows the couple and can attest that the relationship is genuine and continuing. Under current Home Affairs guidance it is not a statutory declaration and does not require a Justice of the Peace. This template helps a supporter structure their statement around the four relationship pillars Home Affairs assesses. Always download the latest official Form 888 from Home Affairs before lodging.
Template
SUPPORTING STATEMENT IN RELATION TO A PARTNER OR PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA
Form 888 — Supporting Statement by a Witness
Applicant: [APPLICANT FULL NAME]
Sponsor: [SPONSOR FULL NAME]
Visa subclass: [309/100 OFFSHORE / 820/801 ONSHORE / 300]
I, [WITNESS FULL NAME], of [WITNESS ADDRESS], [WITNESS OCCUPATION], make the following supporting statement:
1. Who I am and how I know the couple
I am aged 18 or over. My identity document is attached: [PASSPORT BIO PAGE / DRIVER LICENCE / etc.]. Citizenship or permanent residency in Australia is preferred but not always mandatory — attach identity documents and follow current Home Affairs instructions.
I have known [SPONSOR FULL NAME] since [YEAR] and [APPLICANT FULL NAME] since [YEAR]. I came to know them through [HOW YOU KNOW THEM].
2. My knowledge of the relationship
To my knowledge, the couple began their relationship in approximately [MONTH YEAR] and have been in a genuine and continuing relationship since then. I am aware of the following from my direct observation:
- Social aspects: [DESCRIBE events, gatherings, holidays you have seen them attend together].
- Nature of the household: [DESCRIBE what you know of their living arrangements, shared chores, domestic life].
- Financial aspects: [DESCRIBE any shared expenses, gifts, or financial support you are aware of].
- Commitment: [DESCRIBE how they speak about their future, plans, and mutual commitment].
I believe the information in this supporting statement is true and correct. I understand that providing false or misleading information to the Department may have serious consequences under Australian migration law.
Signed at [PLACE] on [DATE]
___________________________________
[WITNESS FULL NAME]
(No JP or authorised witness is required for the current Form 888 supporting statement — the witness signs the form themselves. Always confirm against the latest Home Affairs Form 888.)
Who can complete a Form 888
Form 888 is completed by a witness aged 18 or over who personally knows both partners. Home Affairs typically expects at least two Form 888 supporting statements. Australian citizens or permanent residents are preferred; non-citizens can often complete Form 888 by attaching identity documents — check the current form instructions.
How it fits the four pillars
- A strong Form 888 speaks to the social aspects and the nature of the couple’s commitment from a third-party perspective.
- It complements (does not replace) the couple’s own evidence of financial and household co-mingling, and each partner’s own relationship statement.
- Specific, first-hand observations carry more weight than general statements.
Frequently asked questions
How many Form 888 statements should we submit?
Home Affairs typically expects at least two Form 888 supporting statements from witnesses who know you as a couple. Submitting more can help, but quality matters more than quantity — statements with specific, first-hand observations are more persuasive than generic ones.
Does Form 888 still need a Justice of the Peace?
No — under current Home Affairs guidance Form 888 is a supporting statement, not a statutory declaration, so a JP or other authorised witness is not required. The person completing the form signs it themselves. Always verify against the latest Form 888 PDF before lodging, because Home Affairs updates forms periodically.
Can the witness describe chat or video-call evidence?
A witness should state what they personally know and have observed. If they have seen the couple communicating, travelling together, or attending events, they can describe that. The couple’s own chat-history appendix is separate evidence; the Form 888 adds independent third-party confirmation of the relationship’s genuineness.
Official sources
Free to use without attribution. Not legal advice. PartnerProof — document-formatting tool for immigration applications.