What is Assurance of Support(AoS)
If you are in the process of applying for certain visas in Australia, you are likely to come across the term Assurance of Support. Although this legal requirement plays an important role in the visa process, many applicants are unsure about what it means and how it works. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about Assurance of Support, including what it is and how to arrange it successfully.
What is Assurance of Support?
Assurance of support(AoS) is a formal legal agreement between an Australian citizen or permanent resident and Services Australia. The assurer promises to provide financial support to the visa applicant so they do not need to claim certain government payments.
In simple terms, AoS ensures the migrant will not become a burden on Australian taxpayers. The assurer agrees to repay any recoverable social security payments such as Special Benefit – that the assuree might claim during the assurance of support period.
Services Australia manages this requirement, while the Department of Home Affairs makes the final visa decision. Without a valid assurance of support for mandatory visas, the Department of Home Affairs will not grant the visa — even if the applicant meets every other requirement.
Why Assurance of Support is Required for Australian Visas?
AoS exists to protect public funds. Australia welcomes migrants through family streams, but certain visas carry a higher risk of welfare reliance. By requiring AoS, the government shifts that responsibility to a willing Australian resident or citizen who can demonstrate financial capacity.
You’ll most commonly encounter this when sponsoring parents, aged relatives, or remaining relatives. It’s also relevant for some child, adoption, and humanitarian visas. In every case, AoS reassures the Department of Home Affairs that your loved one will be looked after.
Who needs Assurance of Support?
An AoS is typically required for certain family and parent visas. These visa programs often involve applicants who may not be working immediately after arriving in Australia.
Some visa subclasses that may require an Assurance of Support include:
Parent visa
Parent visas are one of the most common visa types requiring an Assurance of Support. Examples include:
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173)
- Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804)
- Aged Dependent Relative visa
Applicants for these visas may be required to have an eligible assurer provide an Assurance of Support.
Other Family Visas
In some cases, other family visas may also require an AoS, particularly when the visa applicant is unlikely to be financially independent immediately after arriving in Australia. Certain child, adoption, or Community Support Program humanitarian visas — may need a discretionary assurance of support without a bond.
The Department of Home Affairs will determine whether an Assurance of Support is necessary as part of the visa assessment process.
Who can provide Assurance of Support?
The person providing the assurance must meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements are set by Services Australia.
They are:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Pass an income test for both the current financial year and the previous financial year
- Demonstrate you can financially support the assuree (and any family members included in the visa)
- Provide proof of identity and, if requested, a bank guarantee
The income test considers your dependents, the number of adults you are assuring, any existing AoS commitments, and joint assurers. Up to two additional people can join you as joint assurers if your income alone is insufficient.
Use the free online AoS checker on the Centrelink website to see instantly whether you meet the threshold. This tool saves hours of guesswork and shows exactly how much income you need.
Corporations and unincorporated bodies can also provide assurance of support, but they face separate financial tests. For example, proving at least $5,000 in readily available funds per adult assured plus two years of profit.
Mandatory vs Discretionary Assurance of Support: What’s the Difference?
| Aspect | Mandatory AoS | Discretionary AoS |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Compulsory for specific visas (e.g. Parent, Aged Parent, Remaining Relative) – visa cannot be granted without it | Optional / requested in some cases (e.g. Child, Adoption, some humanitarian visas) – not always required |
| Financial Bond | Yes – refundable bond lodged with Commonwealth Bank (e.g. $10,000 primary + $4,000 per extra adult; amounts vary) | No bond – only a legal promise/undertaking is needed |
| Purpose & Security | Stronger protection for welfare system; bond held for full period (4–10 years) and used to repay any claims | Relies purely on the assurer’s legal commitment; no extra monetary security |
Assurance of Support Bond
For mandatory cases, the bond is your financial “safety net.” It is held by the Commonwealth Bank and released after the assurance of support period ends — minus any welfare payments claimed by the assuree.
Typical bond amounts may include:
- Around $5,000 for the main visa applicant
- Around $2,000 for each additional adult applicant
If the visa holder claims a recoverable payment (such as Special Benefit), Services Australia can deduct that amount from the bond before returning the balance to you. This makes the assurance of support bond a powerful incentive for both the assurer and the assuree to manage finances responsibly.
How Long Does Assurance of Support Last?
The duration of assurance of support depends on the visa:
- 10 years — Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas
- 4 years — Most other visas
- 2 years — Orphan Relative and Remaining Relative visas
- 1 year — Community Support Program humanitarian visas
The clock usually starts on the date the assuree arrives in Australia (if applied offshore) or the date of visa grant (if applied onshore). After this period ends, you can request release of any remaining bond through your local Centrelink office.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Assurance of Support
The step to apply are mentioned below:
- Check eligibility — Use the online Assurance of Support checker.
- Gather documents — Recent tax notices of assessment, proof of income for the current year, identity documents, and visa details for the assuree.
- Submit the application — Most individuals apply online via myGov or the Centrelink website. Paper forms are available for special cases.
- Attend any interview — Mandatory for joint assurers (can be done together or separately).
- Lodge the bond (mandatory cases only) — Arrange the bank guarantee and term deposit at the Commonwealth Bank.
- Notify the visa processing centre — Send proof of lodgement to the Department of Home Affairs within 28 days to avoid delays.
The entire assurance of support assessment is handled by Services Australia. Once approved, they advise the Department of Home Affairs, and your visa can proceed.
FAQs
Q1. What is Assurance of Support for Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)?
For the Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804), an Assurance of Support is generally required to show that the applicant will have financial support in Australia. An eligible assurer, usually a sponsor or close family member, must agree to support the applicant financially. This requirement helps ensure that the parent visa holder does not rely on certain social security payments.
Q2. How much is the Assurance of Support for a parent visa?
For most parent visas, the Assurance of Support requires a financial bond. Typically, it is $10,000 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each additional adult applicant. The bond is held by Services Australia and may be refunded at the end of the assurance period if no recoverable welfare payments were made.
Q3. How to release Assurance of Support?
The Assurance of Support bond is usually released after the assurance period ends, provided the visa holder has not received certain recoverable welfare payments. Services Australia reviews the arrangement once the obligation period is complete. If there are no outstanding debts, the bond is refunded to the assurer.
Q4. What are common AOS denial reasons?
Common Assurance of Support (AoS) denial reasons include the assurer not meeting the required income threshold, providing incomplete financial documents, or failing eligibility checks. Applications may also be refused if the assurer already has too many active assurances or outstanding debts with the government. In some cases, incorrect information or failure to lodge the required bond can also lead to an Assurance of Support refusal.
Q5. What are common AOS denial reasons?
Common Assurance of Support (AoS) denial reasons include the assurer not meeting the required income threshold, providing incomplete financial documents, or failing eligibility checks. Applications may also be refused if the assurer already has too many active assurances or outstanding debts with the government. In some cases, incorrect information or failure to lodge the required bond can also lead to an Assurance of Support refusal.
Final Thoughts
Assurance of support is a powerful tool that demonstrates your genuine commitment to your family’s future in Australia. While the process involves income checks, documentation, and sometimes a bond, the reward is peace of mind and a stronger visa application.
If you’re ready to provide assurance, start with the Centrelink checker today. For personalised advice, consult a registered migration lawyer. With the right preparation, your assurance of support can open the door to a new life together in Australia.
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