PolicySponsored MigrantsSDMS ID Number P2102/0179-052SDMS Title Sponsored Migrants – Policy – P2102/0179-052Effective From 1 October 2013Applies to All Housing Tasmania tenantsCustodian Manager Housing StrategySummary This policy outlines how Housing Tasmania manages sponsored

migrants wishing to live in a Housing Tasmania home.Replaces Doc. No. n/aAuthor Area Housing Strategy – Social and Affordable Housing Policy UnitContact Manager, Housing OperationsReview Date October 2017

Policy Intent The policy intent relates to Sponsored Migrants who have been granted Permanent Residency in Australia but are not eligible for Centrelink Income for the first two years of their residency.Sponsored Migrants are not eligible for properties with Housing Tasmania for the duration of the Assurance of Support (AoS).Sponsored Migrants may be considered for properties with Housing Tasmania after the AoS two year period has expired.

Application This policy applies to Sponsored Migrants who have been granted Permanent Residency in Australia but are not eligible for Centrelink Income for the first two years of their residency.

Sponsored Migrants Sponsored Migrants come to Australia under different programs and have different levels of eligibility for government programs and income support.Sponsors have agreed to an Assurance of Support (AoS) to provide the migrant and their family with support for the first two years of their residency including accommodation and financial assistance.

Assurance of Support

An Assurance of Support (AoS) is a legal commitment to support a migrant and their family applying to migrate to Australia so that the migrant will not have to rely on Human Services payments. Some migrants may need to get an AoS before their visa to live in Australia can be granted. An AoS is in force for two years, from the date the migrant arrives in Australia, or the date that the relevant visa is issued (whichever is the later date).The Department of Immigration and Citizenship determines which visa applications need an AoS. The Department of Human Services decides who can be an assurer.The AoS can cover up to two adults and an unlimited number of their dependent children included in the application.

Transfers Where a Housing Tasmania tenant has applied for a transfer relating to bedrooms short, if the overcrowding has come about because they are accommodating sponsored migrants, the tenant will not be eligible for a transfer to a larger property.

Rent Setting Where a sponsored migrant has become a household member of an existing tenant household, their income is included in the

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calculation of rent setting based on their relationship to the tenant. The normal method for establishing this relationship to the tenant should be used, for example the migrant may be the spouse of the tenant, a child or living with the tenant as a boarder.If the migrant has a NIL income it is not appropriate to deem a Centrelink income for the sponsored migrant. It is recognised that deeming an income for the extra household member or members in this situation may place undue financial hardship on the tenant,Sponsored migrants are not eligible to receive a Centrelink income for the first two years of their residency.

Succession of Tenure

Sponsored migrant household members are not eligible for succession of tenure during the two year period covered by the AoS.After the two year period has expired, succession of tenure may be considered in line with the Succession of Tenure Policy.

Documentation To verify residency status or eligibility for income support, the documentation used must be from an Australian Government Agency.Residency status may be indicated on the clients Passport or Visa.

Legal Framework This Policy adheres to the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 and the Homes Act 1935.

Exemptions Nil

Responsibilities/ Delegations

All Housing Operations staff are responsible for ensuring the appropriate application of the policy. Area Managers are accountable for policy application.

Disclaimer This is a statewide policy and must not be re-interpreted so that subordinate policies exist. Should discrete operational differences exist, these should be expressed in the form of an operating procedure or protocol that must be approved at the same level as this policy.

Audit and Compliance

Failure to comply with this policy, without providing a good reason for doing so, may lead to disciplinary action.

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Compliance with this policy is monitored by the Manager Housing Operations, through the delegated Area Managers.

Procedures and Forms

n/a

Related Policies nil

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Policy Title and Version Sponsored MigrantsEffective Date 1 October 2013Review Date October 2018Document Number P2102/0179-052Replaces Document Number

n/a

Custodian Housing Tasmania, Social and Affordable Housing PolicyApproved by Manager Housing Strategy

This Policy may be varied, withdrawn or replaced at any time. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the Department of Health and Human Services. Please Destroy Printed Copies. The electronic version of this Policy is the approved and current version and is located on the Agency’s intranet. Any printed version is uncontrolled and therefore not current.

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