Assurance of Support (visa subclasses 103, 143, 804, 864)
Parents applying for a permanent parent visas must obtain an assurance of support (AoS). AoS is an undertaking by a person (whether a natural person or a body) to pay the Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount of social security payments, as prescribed in a Social Security (Assurances of Support) Determination, received during the bond period by person(s) identified in an AoS and who had been granted a parent visa.
An assurer must be financial capable to meet AoS undertakings. A natural person assurer is allowed to join up with two other persons to provide a single AoS. A body must provide an AoS by themselves.
An AoS can cover up to two adults and any number of children. Where there are more than 2 adults on a visa applications, another AoS needs to be provided.
An assurer cannot provide AoS for more than 2 adults.
WARNING: 23 MAY 2018 - THE CHANGES BELOW HAVE BEEN REVERTED BY https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L00650
Some key changes to the AoS scheme from 1 April 2018 are:
- a potential assurer must be in Australia at the time of making the application,
- a person who has an outstanding debt due to the Commonwealth is not eligible for providing an AoS, and
- income requirements for an assurer are enhanced to ensure that the assurer has sufficient financial capacity to support the assuree as well as themselves.
INCOME REQUIREMENT OF ASSURERS
Relevant legislation: Social Security (Assurances of Support) Determination 2018
Contact Centrelink for exact requirements.
Indicative calculator: Financial requirements - calculator
Example:
Example 1: If a person with 2 children applies to give an AoS for a migrating family of 2 parents and 2 children, the minimum required income amount of the assurer is the total of:
- $86,606.52 (the applicable NSA income cut-off amount of $28,868.84 multiplied by the total number of adult assurer and adult assurees (3)), and
- $11,547.54 (10% of the NSA income cut-off amount of $28,868.84 multiplied by the total number of the assurer's children and the assurees' children (4)).
Example 2: If a person (who has a partner and 2 children) gives an AoS jointly with another person (who has a partner) for a migrating family of 2 parents and 2 children, the combined minimum required income for both assurers is the total of:
- $173,213.04 (the applicable NSA income cut-off amount of $28,868.84 multiplied by the total number of adult assurers, assurers' partners and adult assurees (6)), and
- $11,547.54 (10% of the NSA income cut-off amount of $28,868.84 multiplied by the total number of the assurers' children and the assurees' children (4)).
BANK GUARANTEE - BOND
In addition, assurers must also deposit a bank guarantee - a bond in the amount of:
- $10,000 for a primary applicant for Contributory permanent parent visas (143, 864)
- $4,000 for a secondary applicant over 18 years for Contributory permanent parent visas (143, 864)
- $5,000 for a primary applicant for other permanent parent visas (103, 804)
- $2,000 for a secondary applicant over 18 years for other permanent parent visas (103, 804)
If the assurer is a body, the value of the bond is:
- $20,000 for an AoS for Contributory permanent parent visas (143, 864)
- $10,000 for an AoS for other permanent parent visas (103, 804)
The period of the bond is:
- 10 years for contributory permanent parent visa (143, 864)
- 2 years for other permanent parent visas (103, 804)
With effect from 1 April 2019, there will be an increase to the values of securities that are required for a mandatory 2 year AoS and a mandatory 10 year AoS. The required values of securities for:
- individuals providing an AoS are:corporations and unincorporated bodies providing an AoS are:
- for contributory parent visas (10-year AoS) - $15,000 for the primary visa applicant and $6,000 for any adult secondary visa applicant,
- for other visas such as non-contributory parent visas (2-year AoS) - $7,500 for the primary visa applicant and $3,000 for any adult secondary visa applicant,
- for contributory parent visas (10-year AoS) - $30,000 (to cover a maximum of 2 adult assurees),
- for other visas such as non-contributory parent visas (2-year AoS) - $15,000 (to cover a maximum of 2 adult assurees).
Useful links:
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/assurance-support
Eligibility to provide AoS - click here
Financial requirements - calculator
Social Security (Assurances of Support) Determination 2018
Social Security (Assurances of Support) Amendment Determination 2018
Social Security (Assurances of Support) Determination 2018 - COMPILATION
Social Security (Assurances of Support) Amendment Determination 2018 (No. 2):
24 Periods for which assurances of support remain in force
For subparagraph 1061ZZGF(1)(b)(i) of the Act, the following periods are specified:
(a) for an assurance of support for a Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent (Migrant)) (Class CA) visa or a Subclass 864 (Contributory Aged Parent (Residence)) (Class DG) visa – 10 years;
(b) for an assurance of support for a Community Support Programme entrant – 12 months;
(c) for an assurance of support for a Subclass 115 (Remaining Relative) (Class BO) visa, Subclass 835 (Remaining Relative) (Class BU) visa, Subclass 117 (Orphan Relative) (Class AH) visa or Subclass 837 (Orphan Relative) (Class BT) visa – 2 years;
(d) in any other case – 4 years.
