From 1 January 2012 changes were made to the social security entitlements of temporary partner visa holders (sub-classes 309, 310, 820 and 826). The general “family member” exemption from the two year newly arrived residents waiting period was removed. This paper looks at two systemic administrative problems the Welfare Rights Centre has identified from its casework for spouses arriving after these changes of 1 January 2012 and their Australian sponsors.