Family & parent visas · Assurance of Support
Assurance of Support for a parent visa
Most parent visas cannot be granted until someone in Australia gives an Assurance of Support: a commitment to repay certain Centrelink payments, backed by a bond. Who can give it, how long it lasts, and when to arrange it so the visa is not held up.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Assessed by
- Services Australia
- Contributory parent visas
- 10 years
- Other visas needing one
- 4 years
- Bond
- Lodged with Services Australia
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About the CPD →What an Assurance of Support is
An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legal commitment by an Australian resident or an organisation, the assurer, to repay certain Centrelink payments the visa holder receives during the assurance period. It is backed by a bond lodged with Services Australia. Most parent visas need one, and some other family visas do too. Home Affairs asks for it near the end of processing; Services Australia assesses it.
Who can be the assurer
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident who usually lives in Australia, often the child who is sponsoring the parent
- More than one person together, combining their income to meet the test within the limits Services Australia sets
- An organisation, in some cases
The assurer has to meet an income test set by Services Australia, and some payments the assurer receives do not count as income. Services Australia has an eligibility checker; use it before the Department asks, not after.
The bond and the repayment
The assurer lodges a bond with Services Australia, an amount that depends on the visa and how many adults are covered. If the visa holder receives recoverable Centrelink payments during the assurance period, the amount is recovered from the bond first and then from the assurer if it is not enough. If nothing is claimed, the bond is returned at the end of the period. Check the current bond amounts with Services Australia: figures quoted on other websites are often out of date.
How long it lasts
Services Australia states that the AoS lasts ten years for the Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas, and four years for the other visa types that require one. The period starts when the visa holder arrives in Australia, or from the grant if they are already here.
When to arrange it
The Department asks for the AoS, the health checks and the second instalment of the visa charge together, near the end of processing. Parent visa queues are long, and the assurer's circumstances can change while the application waits. Check eligibility early, keep the income evidence current, and have the bond ready so the request does not become the delay.
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General information only. Services Australia sets and changes the income test, bond amounts and recoverable payments. Check its current guidance and your own circumstances before you commit. Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent, MARN 1576536.
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Questions we get asked first
What is an Assurance of Support?
A legal commitment by an assurer to repay certain Centrelink payments the visa holder receives during the assurance period, backed by a bond lodged with Services Australia. It is required for most parent visas and some other family visas.
Who assesses it?
Services Australia, not the Department of Home Affairs. The Department asks for it when the visa application is close to decision; Services Australia assesses the assurer’s income and takes the bond.
How long does the Assurance of Support last?
Services Australia states ten years for the Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas, and four years for the other visa types that need one. Check the current period for your visa when you apply.
How much is the bond?
The bond amount depends on the visa and the number of adults covered and is set by the government. Check the current amounts with Services Australia; figures quoted on other websites are often out of date.
Can more than one person be the assurer?
Yes. Assurers can combine their income to meet the test, within the limits Services Australia sets, and organisations can also act as assurers in some cases.
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