Tier 2 Dependent Visa Application

[LexieLiz]

Hello,
I'm hoping for some advice on application for a dependent visa to my Tier 2 employee sponsored visa.

My partner & I are unmarried, and have been together for around 5 years, however have lived apart for the last year and a half while I have been employed in the UK and he has been on deployment with the Australian Army in the Middle East.
We are registered as a de facto couple with the Australian Government & Army, and were living together for 2 years prior to my moving to the UK. I am concerned that this will be a large hurdle to the dependent visa, as it stipulates that you can't have lived apart for more than 6 months. Does anyone know if there is additional evidence of our relationship we can provide to overcome this issue?

None of the other requirements are a problem, we have evidence of our relationship, photographs etc, joint bank accounts and sufficient funds.

Any advice would be a great help!

Thank you!