2 years consecutive?

[matt510au]

Myself and my girlfreind are wanting to apply for the unmarried visa.
i m australian she is british.
we have been living together for just over 12 months in the UK.
we were together for 12 months in australia.
there is a period of around 8 months that we were not living together due to her having to return to the UK. I wasnt able to get to the UK any quicker due to work and family comittments.
Is this suitable for the visa or will this be a waist of time due to the period apart. We were still together during this period but just not living together. how are we able to prove this (e.g) emails phone conversations bank accounts etc.. any other ideas.
Is it better to pay for the 24 hour visa process and take the stress and worry out of the 6-8 week process. Any advice or direction would be wonderfull as we do not know any one else who has applied for anything similar so have no feedback..

thanks

M&J