1.1.S.290 Sponsor (SpB)

Definition

For the purposes of SpB, a sponsor is an Australian resident (section 7(2)) who nominates a person for migration to Australia (1.1.A.320). The sponsor MAY be:

• a family member (section 23(14)), OR
• an employer of a migrant.

The obligations of a sponsor are NOT the same as those of an assurer (1.1.A.310), although if a sponsored migrant is also an assuree (1.1.A.310), the sponsor and the assurer MAY be the same person.

Act reference: SSAct section 7(2) An Australian resident is a person, section 23(14) For the purposes of this Act other than Part 2.11 and the YA Rate Calculator...

Family sponsorship

In the case of family sponsorship, the sponsor agrees to provide support and assistance to the migrant for a period of 2 years, commencing from the migrant's date of arrival in Australia OR the date of grant of the relevant visa (section 7(1)-'permanent visa'), whichever is the later. This support includes:

• support to enable them to attend English language courses,
• ensuring they have adequate accommodation,
• providing any necessary financial assistance,
• providing information and advice to help them settle in Australia, and
• telling the person about employment in Australia and advising them of the costs of living in Australia.

Act reference: SSAct section 7(1)-'permanent visa'

Employer sponsors

An employer sponsor undertakes only to provide employment (section 10A(2)) to the migrant on arrival in Australia, NOT ongoing support.

New residents who need a sponsor

A person who is applying for migration in one of the following cases must be sponsored:

• partner (including de facto)/interdependents,
• prospective marriage partner (fiancée),
• child or adoptee,
• parent,
• preferential relative which includes:
  • orphaned unmarried relative under 18 years,
  • special need relative,
  • aged, unmarried relative,
  • remaining relative (a family member overseas who is a sibling or non-dependent child).

New residents who don't need a sponsor

Sponsorship is NOT required for migrants in the skilled migration program, who have visas in the following subclasses:

• visa subclass 126 - independent entrant, and
• visa subclass 123 - business/general.

Act reference: SSAct section 10A(2) In this section and in Part 3.9 and Part 3.12A...

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Last reviewed: 2 February 2009