The applicant was in a de-facto relationship with an Australian citizen and wished to apply for an 820 (de facto) partner visa. Generally, a couple is required to have lived together for at least 12 months in order to qualify for this visa, however this couple did not meet this requirement.

We argued that the 12 month requirement should be waived due to compelling and compassionate circumstances. These circumstances were that the sponsor had severe psychological problems, which developed after the unusual and sudden disappearance of her former husband. We explained that the sponsor was severely depressed and largely reliant upon the applicant for support, and to separate them would cause great hardship upon the sponsor.

This argument was accepted and the applicant was granted the visa.