Some Australian visas required the lodging of an Assurance of Support (AoS). This is a legal commitment by a person to repay the Australian Government certain welfare paid to the migrant during their AoS period. This does not necessarily have to come from the visa sponsor.

The AoS requirement must be met prior to the grant of the visa application. The assurer must provide a refundable fund with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The amount should be able to cover support for the principal applicant as well as any dependent family members. This assures that person applying to migrate will not have to rely on social welfare payments.

In 2004, Centrelink assumed responsibility for the assessment of AoS applications. The bond is held for the duration of the AoS Period as described in the Australian visa application requirements. For permanent Contributory Parent visa, for instance, the AoS period runs for 10 years from the date the permanent visa was granted (for onshore applications) or from the date of arrival into Australia (offshore applications). For this visa type, the AoS bond is $10,000 for the main applicant and $4000 per secondary adult applicant.

For all other Australia visa types, the AoS period is usually for two years. Australia visa types that require AoS include family stream visa categories such as parent, aged parent, contributory parent, contributory aged parent, aged dependent relative and remaining relative. It is only applicable for adult applicants over 18 years of age. For this visa category, the two-year bond of $5,000 is required for the principal applicant and $2000 for secondary adult applicants.

AoS is no longer required for the skilled stream Australian visa. This rule has changed in September 1, 2007. However, the AoS is still applicable for any pending applications filed the said they that have yet to reach a decision by January 1, 2008.

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