Assurance of Support

Migrants who do not meet the conditions for independent admission to Australia may be required to have an Assurance of Support before their visa can be granted.

On this page

• What is an Assurance of Support?
• How do you become an Assurer?
• What Centrelink payments are recoverable under an Assurance of Support?
• How long does an Assurance of Support last?
• How do I apply to provide an Assurance of Support?
• Find out more

What is an Assurance of Support?

An Assurance of Support is a legally binding agreement between an Australian Resident or organisation (the assurer) and the Australian Government. The assurer agrees to provide support to the migrant (the assuree) in Australia so that the assuree does not need to rely on Centrelink payments.

Each Assurance of Support can cover up to 2 adults and an unlimited number of their dependent children. If the migrant or their dependants claim one of the Centrelink payments listed below while covered by an Assurance of Support agreement, the assurer must repay the full amount back to the Government.

The provision of a security in the form of a bank guarantee may also be required. Assurers should be prepared to deposit money with the bank to cover the value of the bank guarantee.

The Assurance of Support Scheme is administered by Centrelink on behalf of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

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How to become an Assurer

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship decides when an Assurance of Support is required. They will send a letter to the visa applicant to inform them of this requirement. The visa applicant should then find an assurer in Australia and forward the letter from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to that person.

The potential assurer should then contact Centrelink and arrange a time to attend an interview at a Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Assurers should call 13 2850 or 13 1202 (for languages other than English). Once the interview time has been arranged, an Application to Provide an Assurance of Support form (SU594) is sent to the assurer’s address.

To become an assurer, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• have income greater than the threshold for the current financial year
• have income greater than the threshold for the previous financial year
• be an Australian resident
• be 18 years or older
• provide proof of identity
• be able to obtain a bank guarantee, if required.

If the assurer meets the requirements, Centrelink will accept the Assurance of Support. Centrelink will notify the Department of Immigration and Citizenship directly that an Assurance of Support has been accepted to allow the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to finalise processing of the visa application.

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What Centrelink payments are recoverable under an Assurance of Support?

These payments will raise an Assurance of Support debt:

• Austudy
• Crisis Payment
• Newstart Allowance
• Parenting Payment
• Partner Allowance
• Sickness Allowance
• Special Benefit
• Widow Allowance
• Youth Allowance

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How long does an Assurance of Support last?

An Assurance of Support can last for 2 or 10 years, depending on the type of visa granted. The period starts from the date the migrant arrives in Australia, or the date that the relevant visa is issued (whichever is the later date).

Note: An Assurance of Support remains in force even if the migrant is exempt from the 2 year waiting period. There are no exemptions from the Assurance of Support provisions and, regardless of the circumstances, any payment made to the migrant will become a debt the assurer must repay.

How do I apply to provide an Assurance of Support?

To apply to provide an Assurance of Support, you need to fill in an Application to Provide an Assurance of Support form and return the completed form to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. You can telephone Centrelink on your main payment or service telephone number and ask for an Application to Provide an Assurance of Support form to be sent to you or you can download this form below.

• Application to provide an Assurance of Support form

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Find out more

On this website

• Assurance of Support factsheet (translated version) in the We speak your language section
• Moved to Australia section
• phone Centrelink on 13 2850 or 13 1202 (for languages other than English) for more information about the Assurance of Support Scheme and who is eligible to be an assurer

Other websites

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship website
• phone the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 13 1881 to find out which visa classes are affected by Assurance of Support

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