How to safely gather financial documents.

Usually the last two payslips. If you are paid weekly, the last four. These show your current income, tax withheld, and any salary packaging. If you receive child support or Centrelink payments, we will need evidence of those too.

The last 90 days of transaction history for every account in your name or jointly held. This includes savings accounts, everyday accounts, and any accounts where your salary is deposited. Lenders review these for living expenses and spending patterns.

The most recent statement for any existing mortgage or home loan. This shows the current balance, interest rate, repayment amount, and the names on the loan. If you cannot find a statement, your lender can provide one over the phone or through their app.

The latest annual statement or a recent login screenshot showing your balance. Super is considered part of the asset pool during settlement, and some lenders also consider it when assessing your overall financial position.

The last two years if you are self-employed. PAYG employees usually only need the most recent. You can download your notice of assessment from your myGov account linked to the ATO. If you have never set this up, your accountant can provide a copy.

Credit cards, personal loans, car loans, HECS-HELP balance, buy now pay later accounts. Anything you owe money on, even if it is in your partner's name alone. Your broker needs the full picture to give you an accurate assessment.

If you can see a document on screen or on paper, take a photo with your phone. Photos do not leave a download trail in your browser history or banking app. Make sure the text is readable, and send it to a private email address or save it to a secure cloud folder when you are somewhere safe.

Public libraries across Australia offer free computer and internet access. You can log into your banking, super fund, or myGov from there and download or print what you need. Library computers clear your browsing history automatically, and nobody at home will see what you accessed.

You can call your bank, super fund, or the ATO and ask them to send documents to a different address or email. If you are a named account holder on a joint account, you have the legal right to request statements. Most institutions will post or email them within a few business days. You do not need your partner's permission.

Create a new email address that your partner does not know about. Use it for all communication with your broker, lawyer, and financial institutions. Gmail, Outlook, and ProtonMail are all free. Choose an address that does not include your name if you are concerned about someone finding it.

Once you have signed a privacy consent form, your broker can contact lenders, super funds, and other institutions directly to obtain statements and balances. This takes the pressure off you and leaves no trace on shared devices. Let us know if you would prefer this approach.

Create a folder in Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox using your private email account. Give it a generic name like "Recipes" or "Work Training" rather than "Separation Documents". Make sure the account is not linked to any shared device or family sharing plan.

If you have someone you trust completely, ask them to hold a USB drive or printed copies for you. This keeps the documents completely off your devices. Choose someone your partner would not think to contact or who would not share information with them.

We store all client documents securely and confidentially. If you send documents to us directly, they are held in our secure system and your partner cannot access them. Many of our clients in sensitive situations send documents to us as they gather them, rather than storing them at home.