# Amounts payable in relation to sponsorship obligations

> act-s140J — as in force on 2026-06-04 — C2026C00232 · Compilation No. 171 — https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026C00232/latest/text

140J Amounts payable in relation to sponsorship obligations
          (1) If an amount is payable under the regulations by a person who is or
              was an approved sponsor in relation to a sponsorship obligation,
              the person is not liable to pay to the Commonwealth more than the
              lesser of:
                (a) if a limit is prescribed by the regulations—that limit; and
                (b) the actual costs incurred by the Commonwealth.
               Example: If the Commonwealth incurs costs in locating a person, the person
                        who is or was an approved sponsor is not liable to pay to the
                        Commonwealth more than the total amount of those costs or a lesser
                        amount (if a limit is prescribed in the regulations and that limit is less
                        than the actual costs incurred by the Commonwealth).

          (2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify one or more
              methods for working out the actual costs incurred by the
              Commonwealth in relation to a sponsorship obligation.
          (3) If an amount is payable under the regulations by a person who is or
              was an approved sponsor in relation to a sponsorship obligation,
              the person (the sponsor) is taken not to have satisfied the
              sponsorship obligation if a visa holder or former visa holder, or a
              person on behalf of a visa holder or former visa holder, reimburses
              the sponsor or another person for all or part of the amount.

Subdivision D—Enforcement