1127 - Partner Migration - Booklet 1 - Department of Immigration ...

Part X – Chapter heading
Character requirements
20 Partner Migration
To enter Australia, all partner category visa applicants must be of good character. If you or any of your
dependent relatives do not satisfy the character requirements, you may not be granted a partner category
visa.
Character test
To be of good character, you must satisfy the character test. You will not satisfy this test if:
• you have a substantial criminal record;
• you have an association with a person or group that is suspected to have been or is involved in
criminal conduct; or
• due to your past and present criminal and/or general conduct, there is signifi cant risk that, if you
were to enter or remain in Australia, you:
– would engage in criminal conduct;
– harass another person in Australia;
– vilify a segment of the Australian community;
– incite discord in the Australian community; or
– become involved in activities that are disruptive or bring harm to the Australian community or a
segment of that community.
For further information on the character requirements, see Fact sheet 79 The character requirement,
which is available from the department’s website www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/, from your nearest
offi ce of the department or Australian mission.
Police checks
As part of having to satisfy the character test, you must provide police checks. Such evidence will be
considered in determining whether or not you can meet the character requirements. Police checks are
required for yourself and each of your dependants (whether migrating or not) who are aged 16 years or
over.
You should obtain a police check for each country in which you or your dependants have resided during
the last 10 years where:
• the period of residence was 12 months or longer (in total); and
• the person was aged 16 years or over at the time of residence.
You must provide the department with originals of police checks. These will generally not be returned to
you, so you should make copies for your own records.
In undertaking character test assessment, the department may contact you and your dependants seeking
additional personal information.