Who Can Apply for a Student Guardian Visa?

You may be able to apply for subclass 590 if you are:

• The student's parent
• A person who has custody of the student
• An eligible relative aged 21 or over
• A person nominated in accordance with the applicable student welfare arrangements

Eligible relatives can include:

• Parent or step-parent
• Grandparent or step-grandparent
• Sibling or step-sibling
• Aunt or uncle
• Step-aunt or step-uncle

The Department of Home Affairs applies specific requirements to guardians and welfare arrangements.

Why Is the Student Guardian Visa Required?

International students under 18 must have appropriate welfare arrangements while they are in Australia.

Depending on the student's circumstances, welfare arrangements may involve:

• A Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW)
• An Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES)
• Approved arrangements through the relevant Australian government department
• A nominated Student Guardian

If a nominated guardian is applying for a subclass 590 visa, the guardian and student's applications may need to be lodged at the same time in the circumstances specified by the Department.

Student Guardian Visa 590 Eligibility

To be granted a subclass 590 visa, you must satisfy the requirements applicable to the visa, including requirements relating to your relationship with the student, welfare responsibilities, health, character and genuine temporary stay.

Relationship With the Student

You must have the required relationship with the student or otherwise satisfy the applicable custody and guardianship requirements.

Age

If applying as a relative nominated as a student guardian, you generally need to be at least 21 years old.

Genuine Temporary Stay

The Student Guardian visa is a temporary visa. The Department can consider whether you genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia for the purpose permitted by the visa.

For Student Guardian applications, the relevant genuine temporary entrant criterion remains applicable.

Financial Capacity

You need to demonstrate that you have adequate financial capacity for your stay and the responsibilities associated with being a student guardian, where required.

Health

You must meet the applicable Australian health requirements.

Character

You must satisfy Australia's character requirements. The Department may request police certificates and other character information where required.

Responsibilities of a Student Guardian

A Student Guardian is responsible for providing appropriate:

• Accommodation
• General welfare
• Support
• Care
• Supervision

for the student while the student is in Australia.

The guardian's role is particularly important where the student is under 18 and does not have a parent or appropriate responsible person living with them.

Student Guardian Welfare Arrangements

For a student under 18, the Department requires evidence of appropriate welfare arrangements.

A student may have welfare arrangements through:

Education Provider

The student's education provider may approve accommodation and welfare arrangements and issue a CAAW.

Student Guardian

A parent, custodian or eligible relative may be nominated as the student's guardian using the applicable process.

Other Approved Arrangements

Certain students, such as secondary exchange students or Foreign Affairs or Defence students, may have different approved welfare arrangements.

The Department provides specific requirements for each arrangement.

Form 157N – Nomination of a Student Guardian

Where a student guardian is nominated for a student under 18, Form 157N – Nomination of a student guardian may be required.

Supporting evidence can include:

• Evidence of the relationship
• Student's birth certificate
• Parent or custodian documents
• Guardian's passport
• Evidence of custody where applicable
• Police certificates where required

The Department specifically requires relationship and identity evidence for nominated guardians in the applicable circumstances.

Student Guardian Visa Conditions

The subclass 590 visa comes with conditions that restrict what the visa holder can do in Australia.

The guardian should:

• Provide appropriate care and support to the student
• Maintain the required welfare arrangements
• Comply with visa conditions
• Remain in Australia for the purpose permitted by the visa
• Follow Australian laws and immigration requirements

A Student Guardian visa is not a general work visa.

If your primary purpose is to work in Australia, another visa pathway may be required.

Can a Student Guardian Work in Australia?

The Student Guardian visa is primarily designed to allow a guardian to accompany and care for an international student.

It should not be treated as a general employment pathway.

Before undertaking any work, check the exact conditions attached to your visa grant.

Can a Student Guardian Study?

The subclass 590 is not designed as a general study pathway.

If you want to undertake substantial study in Australia, you should assess whether another visa is more appropriate.

Student Guardian Visa Application Process

Step 1 – Confirm the Student's Circumstances

Confirm the student's age, Student visa arrangements, education provider and welfare arrangements.

Step 2 – Confirm Your Eligibility

Determine whether you qualify as a parent, custodian or eligible relative.

Step 3 – Prepare Welfare Documentation

Where applicable, prepare Form 157N and evidence supporting the student's welfare arrangements.

Step 4 – Prepare Supporting Documents

Documents may include:

• Passport
• Birth certificates
• Evidence of relationship
• Custody documents
• Financial evidence
• Police certificates
• Health examination documents
• Student's visa information
• Education provider documentation
• Welfare documents
• Other documents requested by Home Affairs

Step 5 – Lodge the Application

Applications are lodged through the Department of Home Affairs process applicable to subclass 590.

Step 6 – Complete Health and Character Requirements

Complete any health examinations and provide character documents requested by the Department.

Step 7 – Respond to Requests

If Home Affairs requests additional information, provide it within the specified timeframe.

Step 8 – Visa Decision

The Department assesses the application against the applicable visa criteria before making a decision.

Student Guardian Visa Documents Checklist

The exact document requirements depend on the applicant's circumstances and the Department's document checklist.

Student Guardian Visa and Under-18 Students

If the student will be under 18 in Australia, appropriate welfare arrangements are particularly important.

The Department states that a student under 18 must generally have an approved welfare arrangement, which may include:

• CAAW issued by an education provider
• AASES for eligible secondary exchange students
• Approved government arrangements
• A nominated Student Guardian

If a nominated guardian is applying for subclass 590, the student's and guardian's applications may need to be made together in certain circumstances.

Student Guardian Visa vs Student Visa

The two visas serve different purposes and should not be confused.

Genuine Temporary Stay Requirement

The Student Guardian visa is a temporary visa.

When assessing the relevant genuine temporary entrant criterion, the Department may consider matters such as:

• Your circumstances
• Your immigration history
• Your intention to comply with visa conditions
• Other relevant circumstances

The Department's current policy documents continue to identify the genuine temporary entrant criterion for Student Guardian visa applications.

Health and Character Requirements

You must satisfy the applicable health and character requirements.

The Department may request:

• Medical examinations
• Chest X-ray or other health examinations
• Police certificates
• Character forms
• Additional information

Character requirements apply to Australian visa applicants and can include consideration of criminal charges and convictions.

Student Guardian Visa Processing

Processing times can vary depending on:

• Application completeness
• Supporting evidence
• Health and character checks
• Requests for additional information
• Applicant circumstances
• Government processing priorities

Applicants should not rely on a guaranteed processing timeframe.

The Department publishes current processing information, but processing times can change.

Can the Student Guardian Stay Until the Student Turns 18?

The duration and conditions of the Student Guardian visa depend on the visa grant and the student's circumstances.

The visa is designed to support the student's welfare while the guardian is required in Australia. The exact visa period should be checked against the visa grant notice and applicable legislation.

Can a Student Guardian Bring Family Members?

The Student Guardian visa is subject to specific rules concerning accompanying family members and visa applications.

Do not assume that every family member can automatically be included. The applicant should check the applicable subclass 590 requirements before lodging an application.

Common Student Guardian Visa Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Providing incomplete relationship evidence
• Failing to establish the required guardianship relationship
• Not providing appropriate welfare documentation
• Ignoring Form 157N requirements where applicable
• Providing inconsistent information
• Failing to demonstrate adequate financial capacity
• Ignoring health or character requests
• Assuming the visa provides unrestricted work rights
• Treating the visa as a pathway for permanent residence

Why Choose The Visa?

The Visa can provide professional guidance with:

• Student Guardian visa eligibility
• Subclass 590 applications
• Welfare arrangement documentation
• Form 157N guidance
• Relationship evidence
• Financial documentation
• Health and character requirements
• Supporting documents
• Application preparation
• Family and student visa planning

Apply for a Student Guardian Visa

If your child or student is planning to study in Australia and needs an eligible guardian, understanding the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) requirements is an important part of planning their Australian education journey.

Contact The Visa for professional guidance on your Student Guardian visa options and application requirements.

Disclaimer: Visa requirements, conditions and application procedures can change. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the requirements in force when you apply. A visa assessment does not guarantee a visa grant.