Understanding AMT and CLF in Australian Migration Law

<h2>Introduction</h2> <p>Two financial obligations that frequently arise in Australian migration applications — particularly for parent and certain family visas — are the <strong>Assurance of Support (AoS)</strong> and the <strong>Contributory Lifetime Fee (CLF)</strong>. Both are designed to protect the Australian Government and the broader community from the potential costs associated with sponsoring a migrant, but they operate in very different ways.</p> <p>Understanding these obligations before you lodge a visa application is essential. Failing to account for them can result in unexpected financial commitments, delays to your application, or even refusal. This guide explains what AMT (Assurance of Support) and CLF mean in practice, when they apply, and what steps you should take to prepare.</p> <h2>What Is an Assurance of Support (AoS)?</h2> <p>An Assurance of Support is a legal commitment made by an individual or organisation (the <em>assurer</em>) to the Australian Government. By providing an AoS, the assurer agrees to repay certain social security payments that the Australian Government may make to the visa holder during a specified period after they arrive in Australia.</p> <p>The AoS is required for a number of visa subclasses, most commonly:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Parent visas</strong> (subclasses 103, 143, 173, 884, 804, and 864)</li> <li><strong>Aged Parent visas</strong></li> <li><strong>Certain other family stream visas</strong> where the Department of Home Affairs determines that an AoS is appropriate</li> </ul> <p>The assurer is typically the visa applicant's child or other close family member who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. The assurer must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial capacity to meet the obligation if it is called upon.</p> <h3>How Does the AoS Work?</h3> <p>When an AoS is required, the assurer must apply to Centrelink (Services Australia) to provide the assurance. Centrelink will assess the assurer's financial capacity and, if satisfied, will accept the AoS. The assurer may also be required to lodge a bond — a cash deposit held by the Australian Government for the duration of the assurance period.</p> <p>The assurance period varies depending on the visa subclass:</p> <ul> <li>For most parent visas, the AoS period is <strong>10 years</strong> from the date the visa holder arrives in Australia</li> <li>For some temporary visas, the period may be shorter</li> </ul> <p>If the visa holder accesses certain social security payments during the assurance period, Centrelink may seek to recover those payments from the assurer. The types of payments that can be recovered include JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, and certain other income support payments.</p> <p>It is important to note that the AoS does not prevent the visa holder from accessing Medicare or emergency medical treatment — it applies only to specific income support payments.</p> <h3>The AoS Bond</h3> <p>For most parent visa subclasses, the assurer is required to lodge a bond with the Australian Government. The bond amount is set by the Department of Home Affairs and is reviewed periodically. As at 2026, the bond amounts are approximately:</p> <ul> <li><strong>$10,000</strong> for the primary applicant</li> <li><strong>$4,000</strong> for each additional applicant (such as a spouse)</li> </ul> <p>The bond is held for the duration of the assurance period and is refunded (without interest) at the end of the period, provided no recovery action has been taken. If Centrelink recovers payments from the assurer during the period, the bond may be used to offset those amounts.</p> <h2>What Is the Contributory Lifetime Fee (CLF)?</h2> <p>The Contributory Lifetime Fee (CLF) — sometimes referred to as the second instalment of the visa application charge — is a significant fee payable in connection with certain contributory parent visa subclasses. It is distinct from the initial visa application charge paid at the time of lodgement.</p> <p>The CLF applies to the following contributory parent visa subclasses:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 143)</strong></li> <li><strong>Contributory Aged Parent (Residence) visa (subclass 864)</strong></li> <li><strong>Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)</strong> — payable when applying for the permanent subclass 143</li> <li><strong>Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)</strong> — payable when applying for the permanent subclass 864</li> </ul> <p>The CLF is payable as a condition of the visa being granted. It must be paid before the permanent visa is issued. As at 2026, the CLF amounts are approximately:</p> <ul> <li><strong>$43,600</strong> for the primary applicant</li> <li><strong>$43,600</strong> for a secondary applicant aged 18 or over</li> <li><strong>$21,815</strong> for a secondary applicant aged under 18</li> </ul> <p>These amounts are subject to indexation and may increase over time. It is essential to check the current fee schedule on the Department of Home Affairs website or seek advice from a registered migration agent or lawyer before lodging your application.</p> <h3>Why Is the CLF So High?</h3> <p>The CLF reflects the Australian Government's assessment of the long-term cost to the community of granting permanent residence to a parent migrant. Parent migrants are, on average, older than other migrant cohorts and are more likely to access health and aged care services over their lifetime. The CLF is intended to offset a portion of those anticipated costs.</p> <p>Despite the significant cost, contributory parent visas remain popular because they offer a substantially shorter processing time than the non-contributory parent visa (subclass 103 or 804), which can involve waiting periods of many years.</p> <h2>Key Differences Between AoS and CLF</h2> <p>While both the AoS and the CLF are financial obligations associated with parent and family visas, they are fundamentally different in nature:</p> <ul> <li><strong>The AoS</strong> is a contingent obligation — the assurer only has to repay money if the visa holder actually accesses certain social security payments. If the visa holder never accesses those payments, the assurer's only cost is the bond (which is refunded at the end of the period).</li> <li><strong>The CLF</strong> is a fixed, non-refundable fee payable as a condition of the visa being granted. It is not contingent on any future event — it must be paid regardless of whether the visa holder ever accesses government services.</li> </ul> <p>Both obligations can represent a significant financial commitment, and both should be carefully considered before a visa application is lodged.</p> <h2>Planning Ahead: What You Should Do</h2> <p>If you are considering sponsoring a parent or family member for an Australian visa that requires an AoS or involves a CLF, there are several important steps you should take:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Seek professional advice early.</strong> The rules governing AoS and CLF are complex and subject to change. A registered migration agent or immigration lawyer can advise you on the current requirements and help you plan your application strategy.</li> <li><strong>Assess your financial capacity.</strong> Before committing to an AoS, carefully consider whether you have the financial capacity to meet the obligation if it is called upon. Centrelink will assess your income, assets, and liabilities as part of the AoS application process.</li> <li><strong>Budget for the CLF.</strong> If you are applying for a contributory parent visa, factor the CLF into your financial planning from the outset. The fee is payable before the permanent visa is granted, and failure to pay it will result in the visa not being issued.</li> <li><strong>Understand the visa processing timeline.</strong> Contributory parent visas can still take several years to process, even with the higher fees. Understanding the expected timeline will help you and your family plan accordingly.</li> <li><strong>Consider the temporary pathway.</strong> For some applicants, it may be advantageous to first apply for a temporary contributory parent visa (subclass 173 or 884) before transitioning to the permanent visa. This approach can allow the visa holder to come to Australia sooner while the permanent application is processed.</li> </ol> <h2>How BC Legal Can Help</h2> <p>At BC Legal, our migration law team has extensive experience advising clients on all aspects of the Australian visa application process, including the Assurance of Support and Contributory Lifetime Fee obligations. We can help you:</p> <ul> <li>Understand whether an AoS is required for your visa application and what it involves</li> <li>Assess your financial capacity to provide an AoS and lodge the required bond</li> <li>Navigate the Centrelink AoS application process</li> <li>Plan for the CLF and understand the current fee amounts</li> <li>Choose the most appropriate visa pathway for your family's circumstances</li> <li>Prepare and lodge a complete and accurate visa application</li> </ul> <p>Migration law is complex, and the consequences of errors or omissions in a visa application can be serious. Whether you are a sponsor, an applicant, or a family member seeking to understand your options, BC Legal is here to provide clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.</p> <p>Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation with one of our migration lawyers.</p>