BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — A family in Rochedale South, just 20 kilometers south of Brisbane, is pleading with immigration authorities to stop the deportation of 81-year-old Elizabeth, who has lived in Australia for 17 years. Her daughter, Erika Power, warns that sending her mother back to South Africa — where she has no surviving relatives — would be a death sentence.
What Happened
Elizabeth, affectionately called Ouma by her grandchildren, has been part of her family’s household since moving to Australia nearly two decades ago. Despite years of waiting for her permanent residency visa, bureaucratic hurdles and financial struggles have placed her at risk of being deported.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has required a $5,000 bond to continue her visa process, but after Erika’s husband lost his job, the family has been unable to meet the deadline. If the bond is not paid, Elizabeth will be forced to leave Australia within 14 days — despite her fragile health and lack of support abroad.
A Family in Crisis
For Erika and her family, Elizabeth is not just a relative — she is the heart of their home. Having helped raise Erika’s four children, Elizabeth has formed an irreplaceable bond with them over the years.
“It’s just a very stressful situation. There’s been a lot of tears because none of us, especially the kids, want to lose her,” Erika told Daily Mail Australia.
“My mother has also been in tears because she doesn’t know where to go. The problem is she has nobody in South Africa.”
Erika explained that her father and sister have both passed away, leaving her mother entirely dependent on her family in Australia.
Struggling to Meet Visa Conditions
Under Australia’s Assurance of Support program, Erika and her husband were designated as guarantors for her mother’s visa. The arrangement requires applicants to meet strict income thresholds and provide a bank deposit — typically between $5,000 and $14,000 — to ensure the government bears no financial responsibility for the migrant.
After her husband’s job loss, the couple applied for a bank loan but were denied. Erika’s husband has since taken up Uber driving and is selling household items online to raise funds, but progress has been slow.
“She doesn’t even have enough income to rent a place on her own,” Erika said.
“She doesn’t drive. She would not be able to travel to the shops — there are no taxis or public buses. How does she get food?”
Public Support and GoFundMe Campaign
In a desperate bid to save Elizabeth from deportation, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $3,981 of the $5,000 goal as of this week.
Erika says she has been “overwhelmed” by the generosity of strangers, many of whom have offered words of encouragement and small donations to help meet the deadline.
“Every time I tell my mum that another person gave $10, she’s in tears,” Erika said.
“She says, ‘Oh my gosh, these people are helping me.’”
The family continues to appeal to the community for help in reaching the remaining goal before the tribunal’s deadline passes.
What Happens Next
If the required bond is not paid by October 31, Elizabeth will be ordered to leave Australia within two weeks. The family fears she will not survive the relocation, given her age, lack of income, and absence of support in South Africa.
Advocates have urged the Department of Home Affairs to review cases like Elizabeth’s with compassion, particularly for elderly migrants who have spent decades contributing to their families and communities in Australia.
For now, the Power family remains hopeful that public support — and perhaps government intervention — will prevent a devastating separation.
Those wishing to assist can visit the family’s GoFundMe page. This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
