Does someone need to sponsor my Parent visa (subclass 103), and what does an Assurance of Support involve?

Unless you apply as a retiree under the Retirement visa pathway, you must have an eligible sponsor — a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen — usually your child. The sponsor agrees to provide support, accommodation and financial assistance for the first 2 years you are in Australia on the visa.

You may also be asked to provide an Assurance of Support. This is a legal commitment, usually backed by a bond, to repay the Australian Government for certain welfare payments made to the visa holder or accompanying family during a set period. Release from sponsorship obligations does not release the assurer from the Assurance of Support.