How to apply

Steps to apply to give an assurance of support

1. 

    

   1. Get ready to apply

   The easiest way to apply is online. Check if you're eligible to give an assurance of support before you apply. You need to have a clear understanding of your role as an assurer. There are times when you can’t support an assuree and may need to pay us back money.

   To apply online, you need a myGov account linked to Centrelink. If you don’t have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you’ll need to set them up.

   You may need to prove your identity with us before you start your claim.

2. 

    

   2. Get your documents ready to apply

   You’ll need to get some documents ready for your application.

3. 

    

   3. Start your application

   1. Sign in to myGov and go to Centrelink.
   2. Select Payment and Claims from the menu, then Claims, then Assurance of Support. Read about your obligations. If you understand and accept them, tick the box then select Get started.
   3. Answer all the questions. Each screen has information to help you complete the application. This includes how to submit your supporting documents.
   4. Submit your application.

   When you're ready:

   Sign in to myGov

   If you can’t apply online, you'll need to print and complete a form. Don’t sign the declaration on the last page of the form until you submit it. We need to witness you signing the declaration on the last page when you bring the form in to submit.

   If you're applying under the Community Support Program, use the Application to provide an Assurance of Support for Community Support Program form.

   If you’re not applying under the Community Support Program, use the Application to provide an Assurance of Support form.

   Read about the Community Support Program on the Department of Home Affairs website.

4. 

    

   4. Track your application

   After you submit your application online, you’ll get a receipt telling you:

   • your application was submitted
   • the ID number of your application
   • the date we estimate your claim will be complete
   • a link to track its progress.

   You can track the progress of your application online. Sign in to myGov and go to Centrelink.

   When you complete the paper forms, you must go to a service centre to sign the declaration and submit your form. You won’t be able to track your application online if you apply using this method.

   You need to let the Department of Home Affairs know the progress of your application. It will assist with the visa application. They’ll need details to identify the people willing to provide an assurance of support. These details include their:

   • Customer Reference Number (CRN)
   • full name
   • date of birth.

   They’ll also need details to identify your application such as ID number, date of and submission method.

   You can find further details on the Department of Home Affairs website.

   We’ll let you know the result of your application. We’ll send a message to your myGov Inbox.

   If you don't get electronic letters, we'll send you a letter in the mail.

   We’ll let the Department of Home Affairs know the results of your application. They’ll need it to finalise the visa application.

   If we need more details we’ll ask you for them.

   If you think we’ve made a mistake you can ask us to review our decision.

   Multiple assurers

   Multiple people can apply to give an assurance of support. They can apply to set up a multiple assurance with a maximum of 3 individuals. An organisation cannot enter a multiple assurance.

   Each person in a multiple assurance must submit a separate application. When applying online, each person must use the same application identification number as the first applicant. This enables each separate online application to be linked.

   All people involved in a multiple assurance must submit their online applications within 14 days of the first applicant. If they don’t all submit an application within 14 days then those applications that have been submitted will be rejected.

   If rejected, the application identification number will end. New online applications will need to be provided with a new identification number.

   The assessment of multiple assurance applications cannot commence until all of the applications have been received.

Next: When you can’t support an assuree

We may pay income support to the assuree during the assurance of support period if you can't support them, or they can't accept support from you.