Preparing for my husbands spouse visa

I traveled in April 2018 to the UK with the intention to visit for 5 1/2 months, without applying for a visitor visa ahead of time (since you can get one at the border) and was refused entry due to the length of time, the fact that I had insufficient funds on me (my now-wife had the money for safety), discrepancies in our statements about our current and future intentions (she had said we decided we would live in the UK, I said we were still undecided. There was also a discrepancy in who purchased the ticket), the agent having reasonable doubt that I wouldn't require public funds during my stay, and a misconception that I had prior adverse visa history with Australia several years back. I had filed for a de facto partner residency visa in 2011 and I voluntarily rescinded the app in 2013 due to the relationship ending, whereas the agent incorrectly presumed there was immigration conflict. Quoting my wife's comment several months ago:

When I was denied entry, I flew back under my own return ticket.

None of that is a reason to refuse your spouse visa. 

None of that is a reason to refuse your spouse visa. 

Thank you. I appreciate the quick answer. One other nagging question I've had is this: how much caseworker bias is involved in deciding a case? From my understanding, it is largely a checklist-style application where you need to prove the following:

• Financial requirements (the 18,600) plus her paystubs, letter from employer et al
I believe we filed under Category A, and left the others blank? She's salaried, and we gave the relevant documentation and bake statements. I even reviewed the certified bank documents earlier today, which covered seven monthly pay periods.
• Proof of genuine and ongoing relationship
We're missing a large swath of chat logs due to Skype's overhaul a couple years back, but we have intermittent chat/call logs through Skype/Hangouts/Facebook, as well as scanned physical cards, 4/5 photos of us together incl. marriage photos, a full color scan of the original marriage cert, a certified b/w full marriage cert from issuing office, and her prior ticket stubs for when she traveled here (which will match with her passport history.) Were we right to -not- include letters of support from friends and family?
• Letter of accommodation
Which was straightforward, landlord agreed pending right to rent, background check, etc. verbiage used.
• Information and copies of documents regarding my prior refusal
Everything I had was scanned and included, even including an explanation about the events of my Australian visa history and relevant repatriation information due to having my funds stolen.
• Prior passport
Which would provide my prior travel history information that I was lacking, such as exact dates etc. That passport was nullified upon my return to the US in 2013 following the mentioned repatriation.
• Various receipts

Did I miss anything on that shortlist?

Thank you. I appreciate the quick answer. One other nagging question I've had is this: how much caseworker bias is involved in deciding a case? From my understanding, it is largely a checklist-style application where you need to prove the following:

• Financial requirements (the 18,600) plus her paystubs, letter from employer et al
I believe we filed under Category A, and left the others blank? She's salaried, and we gave the relevant documentation and bake statements. I even reviewed the certified bank documents earlier today, which covered seven monthly pay periods.
• Proof of genuine and ongoing relationship
We're missing a large swath of chat logs due to Skype's overhaul a couple years back, but we have intermittent chat/call logs through Skype/Hangouts/Facebook, as well as scanned physical cards, 4/5 photos of us together incl. marriage photos, a full color scan of the original marriage cert, a certified b/w full marriage cert from issuing office, and her prior ticket stubs for when she traveled here (which will match with her passport history.) Were we right to -not- include letters of support from friends and family?
• Letter of accommodation
Which was straightforward, landlord agreed pending right to rent, background check, etc. verbiage used.
• Information and copies of documents regarding my prior refusal
Everything I had was scanned and included, even including an explanation about the events of my Australian visa history and relevant repatriation information due to having my funds stolen.
• Prior passport
Which would provide my prior travel history information that I was lacking, such as exact dates etc. That passport was nullified upon my return to the US in 2013 following the mentioned repatriation.
• Various receipts

Did I miss anything on that shortlist?

There should be no bias at all, the caseworker should be impartial. And yes, it is a question of them being able to check off that you have met each requirement to their satisfaction.

You only complete the details on the financial category/categories which you are using.

You were correct not to include letters from friends and family, they are not a requirement.

Accommodation, was the rental agreement also provided?

Wife back in now

My rental agreement was included in the application.

Wife back in now

My rental agreement was included in the application.

Great!