For many Indian Australian families, the hardest part of a parent visa is not completing a form—it is preparing for the long-term financial promise that may be required before the visa can be granted. Services Australia refreshed key Assurance of Support guidance on 22 July 2026, making this a timely moment for families to check the rules, documents and bank guarantee amounts before committing.
An Assurance of Support, commonly called an AoS, is a legal agreement to financially support a visa applicant so they do not need certain Australian income-support payments during the assurance period. It is separate from sponsoring a parent and separate from the visa application charge.
Which family visas can require an Assurance of Support?
According to Services Australia’s current guidance, a mandatory AoS applies to several family visa categories, including contributory parent, contributory aged parent, parent, aged parent, remaining relative and aged dependent relative visas. Mandatory assurances require a monetary bond.
Home Affairs says Australia offers both temporary and permanent parent visa options, but permanent Parent visas are capped and queued because demand exceeds the number of places available each year. Families should therefore treat AoS planning as one part of a wider—and potentially lengthy—family reunion strategy.
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa subclass 870 is a different temporary pathway. Do not assume that every parent visa has the same AoS requirement or timeline; rely on the formal request issued for the particular application.
Who can act as an assurer?
An individual assurer must be at least 18, be an Australian resident or citizen, provide proof of identity, pass the income test and demonstrate an ability to support the visa applicant. Services Australia assesses both current income and income from the previous financial year.
The required evidence can include:
- proof of income for the current financial year;
- an Australian Taxation Office notice of assessment for the previous financial year;
- for self-employed people, a profit-and-loss statement or an accountant’s letter for the current financial year; and
- identity and visa-application documents requested by Services Australia.
A tax return by itself is not accepted as current-year income evidence. If one person does not satisfy the income test, up to three people in total may apply as joint assurers. Each joint assurer must apply using the same submission method and, for online applications, the same joint application reference number.
How much is the bank guarantee in 2026?
For an individual assurer, Services Australia currently lists the following guarantee amounts:
- Two- or four-year AoS: $5,000 for one adult or $7,000 for two adults.
- Ten-year AoS: $10,000 for one adult or $14,000 for two adults.
The duration depends on the visa subclass and can be one, two, four or 10 years. The formal Services Australia letter will confirm the applicable duration, amount and deadline.
Crucially, families should not arrange a bank guarantee or term deposit in advance. Services Australia says applicants must wait until they receive a written request. When requested, the assurer opens the specified term deposit with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, obtains the bank guarantee and account confirmation, and submits those documents to Services Australia.
What financial responsibility does the assurer accept?
The assurer promises to support the parent or other family member for the full AoS period and repay recoverable income-support payments made to the assuree during that period. If the term deposit does not cover the full debt, Services Australia can seek the remaining balance from the assurer.
This commitment cannot normally be cancelled after Home Affairs grants the visa—even if the relationship changes, the assurer experiences financial hardship, the assuree later becomes an Australian citizen, or their visa status changes. That makes an honest family discussion essential before anyone signs.
A practical checklist for Indian Australian families
- Wait for the Home Affairs Request for Assurance of Support letter.
- Use the official Services Australia eligibility checker before relying on an assurer.
- Gather current-year income evidence and the relevant ATO notice of assessment early.
- If using joint assurers, coordinate the application method and reference number.
- Budget separately for visa charges, medicals, travel, private health cover and settlement costs.
- Do not lock money into a term deposit until Services Australia instructs you in writing.
- Keep copies of every letter, receipt and uploaded document.
The takeaway
For Indian Australians planning parent migration in 2026, the AoS is not a routine signature—it is a binding financial undertaking that may last a decade. Check the latest information directly with Services Australia and the relevant Home Affairs parent visa page. Where family finances, joint assurers or visa eligibility are complex, consider advice from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner before committing funds.
This article provides general information and is not migration or financial advice. Government requirements can change.