Who Needs an Assurance of Support?

An Assurance of Support can be either mandatory or discretionary, depending on the visa subclass and circumstances.

Services Australia currently identifies mandatory AoS requirements for certain visa categories including:

• Aged Dependent Relative visas
• Contributory Parent visas
• Contributory Aged Parent visas
• Parent visas
• Aged Parent visas
• Remaining Relative visas

Mandatory Assurance of Support arrangements require a monetary bond.

Some other visa categories can have a discretionary Assurance of Support requirement. These can include certain:

• Adoption visas
• Child visas
• Former Resident visas
• Orphan Relative visas
• Community Support Program humanitarian cases

For discretionary AoS provisions, a monetary bond is generally not required.

The exact requirement depends on the visa subclass and the circumstances of the applicant.

Who Is an Assurer?

An assurer is the person or organisation that provides the Assurance of Support.

An individual assurer generally needs to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be an Australian citizen or Australian resident
• Meet the applicable income test
• Be able to financially support the assuree
• Provide identity evidence
• Provide income evidence
• Provide a bank guarantee where required

Services Australia assesses whether the proposed assurer meets the applicable financial requirements.

The visa sponsor and the assurer do not necessarily have to be the same person.

Can More Than One Person Provide an Assurance of Support?

Yes.

If one person does not have sufficient income to meet the relevant requirements, they may be able to provide a joint Assurance of Support with up to two other people.

Each joint assurer must meet the applicable requirements and complete the relevant application process.

Services Australia assesses the income circumstances of the assurers and considers factors including:

• Number of adults being assured
• Dependent children
• Other Assurance of Support commitments
• Joint assurer circumstances
• Existing assurees

Assurance of Support Income Test

The assurer generally needs to pass an income test.

The income required is not one universal fixed amount for every applicant.

Services Australia considers factors including:

• Number of adults being assured
• Dependent children of the assurer
• Other people already covered by an Assurance of Support
• Joint assurers
• Other relevant financial circumstances

The income thresholds can change, so applicants and potential assurers should use the current Services Australia Assurance of Support eligibility checker rather than relying on an old figure published online.

What Income Evidence Is Required?

An individual assurer may need to provide evidence of both current and previous financial-year income.

Services Australia can require:

• Australian Taxation Office Notice of Assessment
• Current income evidence
• Recent payslips
• Employer letter
• Evidence of ongoing employment or income
• Identity documents
• Evidence of Australian residence status

For self-employed assurers, Services Australia may require:

• Profit and loss statement
• Accountant's letter
• Previous financial-year Notice of Assessment

Services Australia states that an individual assurer's tax return alone cannot be used as proof of income.

Assurance of Support for Parent Visas

An Assurance of Support is particularly important for several Australian Parent visa pathways.

This can include:

• Parent visa subclass 103
• Aged Parent visa subclass 804
• Contributory Parent visa subclass 143
• Contributory Parent Temporary visa subclass 173
• Contributory Aged Parent visa subclass 864
• Contributory Aged Parent Temporary visa subclass 884

For the applicable permanent Parent and Aged Parent pathways, the Assurance of Support can be a mandatory requirement before visa grant.

The exact AoS requirement depends on the visa subclass and the applicant's circumstances.

Assurance of Support for Contributory Parent Visas

The Assurance of Support is particularly significant for:

Subclass 143

Contributory Parent visa

Subclass 173

Contributory Parent Temporary visa

Subclass 864

Contributory Aged Parent visa

Subclass 884

Contributory Aged Parent Temporary visa

For permanent Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas, the Assurance of Support period is generally 10 years.

This is longer than the standard four-year period that applies to many other visa categories.

Assurance of Support for Remaining Relative Visas

An Assurance of Support is also relevant to the Remaining Relative visa subclass 115 and the corresponding onshore Remaining Relative pathway where applicable.

Services Australia currently identifies Remaining Relative visas among the visa categories requiring a mandatory Assurance of Support and bond.

The Assurance of Support period for Remaining Relative visas is generally two years.

How Long Does an Assurance of Support Last?

The AoS period depends on the visa.

Current Services Australia information identifies:

The period generally starts from the date the assuree arrives in Australia or the date the visa is granted, whichever is later, subject to the applicable rules.

What Is the Assurance of Support Bond?

For certain visas where an Assurance of Support is mandatory, the assurer must provide a refundable bond.

The bond is lodged through the arrangements specified by Services Australia and is generally held for the duration of the Assurance of Support period.

Current Services Australia information states that mandatory AoS arrangements require a bank guarantee and term deposit.

The bond is separate from the visa application charge.

Current Assurance of Support Bond Amounts

The applicable bond depends on:

• Whether the assurer is an individual or organisation
• Number of adult assurees
• Length of the Assurance of Support period
• Applicable visa category

For an individual assurer, Services Australia currently lists:

2-year or 4-year AoS

• $5,000 for 1 adult
• $7,000 for 2 adults

10-year AoS

• $10,000 for 1 adult
• $14,000 for 2 adults

For an organisation, the current listed guarantee amounts are:

• $10,000 for 1 or 2 adults for a 2-year or 4-year AoS
• $20,000 for 1 or 2 adults for a 10-year AoS

These amounts should always be checked with Services Australia before arranging the bond because requirements can change.

Is the Assurance of Support Bond Refundable?

Generally, the bond can be released at the end of the Assurance of Support period, subject to applicable Centrelink claims.

If the assuree has received recoverable income support payments during the relevant period, Services Australia may recover the applicable amount from the bond.

After the AoS period expires, the assurer can request release of the bond through Centrelink.

What Happens If the Assuree Receives Centrelink Payments?

An Assurance of Support is a legal commitment.

If the assuree receives certain recoverable income support payments during the Assurance of Support period, the assurer may become responsible for repaying those amounts to the Australian Government.

Recoverable payments can include certain payments such as:

• JobSeeker Payment
• Parenting Payment
• Youth Allowance
• Special Benefit
• Austudy

Other recoverable amounts or supplements may also apply depending on the circumstances.

This is one of the most important responsibilities a potential assurer should understand before agreeing to provide an AoS.

What Is an Assurer Responsible For?

The assurer agrees to provide financial support to the assuree as required during the Assurance of Support period.

The assurer may need to:

• Help prevent the assuree from relying on certain income support
• Repay recoverable payments made to the assuree
• Maintain the required financial commitment
• Meet the applicable AoS conditions
• Provide information to Services Australia if requested

An assurer should understand the financial responsibilities before submitting an Assurance of Support application.

Can an Organisation Provide an Assurance of Support?

Yes.

An organisation can provide an Assurance of Support where it meets the relevant requirements.

Services Australia states that an organisation generally needs:

• An Australian address
• Financial capacity
• Appropriate organisational documentation
• Evidence of financial circumstances
• An authorised person to act on behalf of the organisation

Different financial-capacity requirements can apply depending on the type of organisation and the number of people being assured.

Organisation Assurance of Support Requirements

Depending on the circumstances, an organisation may need to provide evidence such as:

• Australian Business Register information
• Company or organisation financial records
• Tax returns
• Evidence of recent trading history
• Profit information
• Bank statements
• Evidence of readily available funds
• Identity documents for the authorised representative
• Evidence that the representative can act for the organisation
• Australian address

Services Australia provides specific requirements for incorporated and unincorporated organisations.

Assurance of Support Application Process

The process generally involves several stages.

Step 1 – Determine Whether AoS Is Required

First establish whether the relevant visa subclass requires a mandatory or discretionary Assurance of Support.

Step 2 – Identify the Assurer

The proposed assurer can be an eligible individual or organisation.

Step 3 – Check Financial Eligibility

The assurer should check whether they meet the current income or financial-capacity requirements.

Step 4 – Prepare Documents

Prepare identity, residence, income and other supporting documents.

Step 5 – Lodge the AoS Application

The potential assurer submits the Assurance of Support application through the relevant Services Australia process.

Step 6 – Complete the Assessment

Services Australia assesses the assurer's eligibility and financial capacity.

Step 7 – Arrange the Bond Where Required

For mandatory AoS provisions, the applicable bond arrangements must be completed.

Step 8 – Provide AoS Information to Home Affairs

For certain Parent visa applications, Home Affairs requires information about the completed AoS to be provided through the relevant online process.

Home Affairs currently advises Parent visa applicants to provide assurer details and AoS lodgement information within the specified timeframe after the assurer lodges the AoS.

Documents for an Assurance of Support

An individual assurer may need to provide:

Identity

• Passport
• Australian citizenship evidence
• Permanent residence evidence
• Other identity documents

Income

• ATO Notice of Assessment
• Current payslips
• Employer letter
• Other current income evidence

Employment

• Employer letter
• Payslips
• Evidence of ongoing employment

Self-Employment

• Profit and loss statement
• Accountant's letter
• Previous Notice of Assessment

Other

• Assurance of Support details
• Visa applicant's assuree letter
• Customer Reference Number (CRN), where applicable
• Other documents requested by Services Australia

Assurance of Support Eligibility Checklist

Individual Assurer

☐ At least 18 years old
☐ Australian citizen or Australian resident
☐ Meets income test
☐ Can provide required financial support
☐ Identity evidence available
☐ Current income evidence available
☐ Previous financial-year Notice of Assessment available
☐ Able to provide bond where required
☐ Understands repayment obligations

Services Australia should be used to confirm the current eligibility requirements.

Assurance of Support vs Visa Sponsorship

An Assurance of Support should not be confused with visa sponsorship.

Visa Sponsor

A sponsor supports a visa application under the requirements of the relevant visa program.

Assurer

An assurer makes a financial commitment to support the visa applicant and may be required to repay certain recoverable government payments.

The sponsor and assurer can be different people.

For example, in a Parent visa application, the Australian child may be the sponsor while another eligible Australian person may act as the assurer.

Assurance of Support and Parent Visa Processing

For some family visa applications, an Assurance of Support forms part of the later stages of visa processing.

The Department may request an AoS when the application reaches the relevant stage.

Applicants should not assume that an AoS being requested means the visa has already been approved.

The visa must still satisfy all applicable legislative and processing requirements.

Does an Assurance of Support Guarantee a Visa?

No.

An Assurance of Support is only one requirement where applicable.

It does not guarantee that the associated visa application will be granted.

The visa applicant must still satisfy all relevant requirements for the visa subclass, including applicable:

• Eligibility criteria
• Sponsorship requirements
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Balance of Family requirements, where applicable
• Age requirements, where applicable
• Other visa-specific criteria

Does AoS Affect the Visa Application?

Where an Assurance of Support is mandatory, the visa cannot generally be granted until the required AoS arrangements have been satisfied.

For some other visa categories, AoS may be discretionary rather than mandatory.

The Department of Home Affairs determines the visa requirement, while Services Australia assesses the potential assurer.

Common Assurance of Support Mistakes

1. Using Old Bond Amounts

AoS bond amounts can change. Always check current Services Australia information.

2. Assuming the Sponsor Must Be the Assurer

The sponsor and assurer can be different people.

3. Ignoring the Income Test

Meeting Australian residency requirements alone does not necessarily make someone eligible to provide an AoS.

4. Providing an Old Notice of Assessment

Current and previous financial-year evidence may be required.

5. Forgetting Existing AoS Commitments

Existing assurees can affect the income requirement.

6. Not Understanding the Bond

The bond is separate from the visa application charge and can be subject to claims if recoverable payments are made.

7. Delaying the AoS

Where the Department requests an AoS, delays can affect visa processing.

8. Assuming AoS Means Visa Approval

An AoS does not guarantee the grant of a visa.

Assurance of Support for Australian Migration

Assurance of Support can be particularly important for people considering Australian family migration, especially Parent visa pathways.

If you are sponsoring a parent or family member, it is important to understand:

Visa Eligibility

Sponsorship

Assurance of Support

Bond Requirements

Other Visa Criteria

before proceeding with the application.

Assurance of Support – Quick Summary