1.1.A.310 Assuree, assurer, assurance of support, assurance of support security

Definition: AoS

An AoS is a commitment by one or more Australian residents (as defined by (SSAct section 7(2)) (the assurer) to provide financial support to a new resident (the assuree) during the AoS period. It is also a legal commitment to repay the Commonwealth certain social security payments (SSAct section 23(1)-'social security payment'), if such payments are made to the new resident while the AoS is in force.

Act reference: SSAct section 7 Australian residence definitions, section 23(1)-'social security payment'

Definition: AoS period

The AoS period commences on the day the new resident enters Australia as a permanent resident or is granted the relevant visa, which ever happens later. The AoS period is 2 years in most cases. In the case of contributory parent visa holders (permanent visa subclass 143 and subclass 864), the AoS period is 10 years.

Definition: assuree

The assuree is a new resident covered by an AoS. That is, an assuree is a person who was required to obtain an AoS before his or her visa could be granted.

There are 3 kinds of assurees:

• PRIMARY ASSUREE - the person who was granted the visa on the basis of meeting primary criteria for grant of that visa,
• DEPENDENT ADULT ASSUREE - an adult who is granted a visa on the basis of meeting secondary criteria for grant of that visa,
  • Example: A dependent spouse or aged parent of a person who is granted a visa on the basis of meeting primary criteria.
• DEPENDENT CHILD ASSUREE - a dependent child who is granted a visa on the basis of meeting secondary criteria for grant of that visa.

Definition: assurer

An assurer is a person who gives an AoS for a new resident. One or more persons may act as an assurer for a particular assuree. Assurers must be Australian residents.

Definition: AoS security

The AoS security is an amount of money, lodged as a term deposit by the assurer(s) with the CBA before the AoS is approved. This security can be used to recover part or all of a recoverable payment provided to an assuree.

The term deposit is obtained by the assurer(s):

• at any branch of the CBA, AND
• held until Centrelink either:
  • uses it to recover a recoverable payment made to an assuree, OR
  • authorises the bank to release it to the assurer(s).

Not all AoS require the lodgement of a security.

Where there are joint assurers the term deposit for the security should be obtained in the name of one assurer only. Centrelink will only authorise the bank to release the term deposit to the person named in the term deposit with the CBA.

Act reference: SSAct section 23(1)-'assurance of support', Chapter 2C Assurances of support

Policy reference: SS Guide 9.4 Assurance of Support Scheme

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Last reviewed: 13 May 2013