Interdepend

Hi all, my partner and I have been together for 3 years, we are about to
lodge for an Interdependancy visa , but got cold feet to proceed as in
the last 12 months , we were forced by circumstances not to be
physically together for 4 months. Reason being my tourism visa to Oz
was about to expire to enter (we decided to lodge in Oz) and he still
had to close his projects down in the States, and took longer than he
anticipated. Did anyone have a similar situation, how leniant were the
Immi Dept/ Not? We don't want to waste Dollars by taking a chance on
the 12 month rule . If there are any professional advisors or people
who has/had similar situations please let me knowwhat your experiences
were or advice. I have less than a month to lodge or leave. Thanx