The Double Grant – Can I Get a Double Grant, that being an 820 visa and 801 grant simultaneously? If so what are the requirements?

Answer:

This type of question gets asked a lot. In terms of the double grant on the basis of your relationship, you have to have been in a “long-term partner relationship” at the “time of application”. Your evidences need to satisfy the delegate that you were in a “long-term partner relationship” at the time of application. You cannot use relationship periods post lodgement to meet the double grant criteria. A long-term partner relationship as defined by Regulation 1.03 is as :

· 2 years if there is a dependent child from the relationship (must be married or de facto)

· 3 years if there is no dependent child from the relationship (must be married or de facto)

A delegate will make the assessment based on the relationship evidence relevant to the pre 820-801 application period. The delegate will be assessing the relationship evidence from the 2 or 3 year period immediately before the lodgement of the 820-801 visa (depending on your circumstances). I see the double grant criteria described or explained incorrectly on many forums, as the posters are not reading the definition contained in Regulation 1.03 in concert with subclause 801.221(6A) – that states “at the time of making the application was in a long-term partner relationship”.