Migration agents have launched a against changes made to the Assurance of Support scheme - or AoS - by the Department of Social Services.
It comes after the Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan introduced to the financial criteria for Assurance of Support on March 26th. The changes mean that all Australian Citizens and permanent residents, who wish to sponsor their overseas parents to come to Australia under 143 Contributory Parent visa program, will now have to earn more to be able to financially support their parents’ visa application.
The earning threshold has been lifted meaning a couple will need to earn a combined $115,475 a year and a single person will now need to be earning $86,606 annually. The previous figure was $45,185.
The changes have come under fire from migrants who wish to sponsor their parent’s migrant visa applications as well as migration agencies.
They have now launched an online petition demanding the changes be reversed.
The petition demands that the new amendment be struck down by the federal parliament and that the ‘AoS income requirement to be restored to the previous standard’.
It also asks for a ‘transitional policy to be imposed which allow all AoS assurer for 143/864 visa applicants that have lodged their application for a 143/864 visa before 1 April 2018 to be subject to the previous income requirement criteria for AoS’.
The petition has garnered over 7800 signatures so far.
Two of the four founders of the Parent Long Stay Visa Committee (PLSVC) have slammed the changes calling it 'discriminatory'.
Source: SBS
Arvind Duggal, who supports this petition and is demanding the changes be reversed, told SBS Hindi ‘Yes, I strongly demand these changes be reversed as the hike is not five or ten thousand, it’s a massive increase and many won’t be eligible to sponsor their parents’.
Jasvinder Sidhu told SBS Hindi that he agrees that while, over time, some increase is necessary, the new limit is beyond the reach of many families. "I have signed this petition and our group will also be supporting," he said.
“I request the Federal government to get these changes reversed and will also approach opposition parties to commit to reverse these changes should there be government change next year. (The) Long Stay Visa for Parents committee will support this petition and any other initiatives to make visas conditions fairer for migrants.”
Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa yet to pass the Senate
The much anticipated Temporary Sponsored Parent Visa, announced by the government in May this year, is yet to pass the Senate.
The visa, which would allow Australians to have their parents spend extended periods of time with them in Australia, was announced by Assistant Minister of Department of Home Affairs, Alex Hawke, on 5th May 2017.
The new parent visa would allow migrants to seek a three-year visa for their parents for $5000, a five-year visa for $10,000 and a ten-year visa for $20,000.
Under the new visa scheme, 15,000 visas will be made available annually and the visa may be renewed from outside Australia to allow a cumulative stay of up to ten years.
