Student guardian
(subclass 590)
Visit to assist a student visa holder child.
Come to Australia to offer care and assistance to a student visa holder under 18 or older under exceptional circumstances. You must be the student’s parent, guardian, or relative aged 21 or above. Provide proof of enough funds to support both yourself and the student, along with having adequate health insurance. Ensure you can offer accommodation, welfare, and other necessary support. If you’re already in Australia, hold a valid substantive visa.
With this visa you can
Travel to Australia to offer care and assistance to a student visa holder who is either under 18 years old or over 18 under extraordinary circumstances. You can provide care for multiple students. Additionally, you’re permitted to enroll in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for less than 20 hours weekly or pursue any other study or training program lasting no more than 3 months. However, it’s important to note that employment is not permitted under this visa category.
How long you can stay
Your stay in Australia is determined by the date specified on your visa grant letter. Typically, this date is determined by considering the duration of the student visa holder’s stay or when the student reaches the age of 18.
Stay longer
You have the option to extend your stay in Australia by applying for an additional Student Guardian visa.
Include family
If any member of your family unit is under 6 years old, you may not be eligible for the visa unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons, or granting the visa would significantly benefit the relationship between the Australian Government and another country’s government. The child must meet the same health requirements as you and have health insurance for their stay in Australia. It’s important to note that children under 6 years old cannot be included in your application after submission. However, children aged 6 or older can accompany you, but they must apply for their own student visa.
Cost
The visa fee starts at AUD710.00 for the main applicant. Additionally, there’s a charge for each family member applying with you. Other potential expenses may include health checks, police certificates, and biometrics. To calculate the total cost of your visa, you can use the Visa Pricing Estimator. However, please note that this tool does not factor in additional expenses.
Apply from
You have the flexibility to apply for the visa whether you’re inside or outside Australia. Additionally, our decision on your application can be made while you’re either inside or outside the country.
Processing times
To get an estimate of processing times for this visa, you can utilize the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides processing times for recently decided applications, serving as a general guide rather than being specific to your application.
Please be aware that your application may experience delays if:
- It’s not filled in correctly.
- You fail to include all required documents or if we require additional information from you.
- We need time to verify the information provided.
It’s essential to pay the correct visa application charge to ensure the processing of your application. If the correct fee is not paid, we will inform you accordingly, and if necessary, return your application.
Your obligations
It is imperative for you and your family members to comply with all visa conditions and adhere to Australian laws.
Travel
While your visa is valid, you’re free to travel outside Australia and return as often as you like. However, you cannot depart Australia without the student visa holder unless alternative welfare arrangements have been made. It’s important to note that the duration of your visa does not get extended by the time spent outside Australia.
Financial support
You must be financially capable of supporting yourself while in Australia. Additionally, you need to ensure you can financially support any accompanying family members.
Visa label
Eligibilty
Have a certain visa
You have the option to apply for the visa whether you’re inside or outside Australia. If you’re already in Australia and hold a substantive visa, except for certain types such as the Domestic Worker (Temporary) Diplomatic and Consular visa (subclass 426), you can apply within the country. However, if you hold one of the specified visas like Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or consular) stream or Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995), you cannot apply within Australia, with some exceptions. Additionally, transit visa (subclass 771) and certain streams of visitor visas (subclass 600) are ineligible for in-country application
Be a parent, custodian or relative
To qualify as a Student Guardian, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be the parent of the student visa holder.
- Have custody of the student.
- Be a relative of the student, aged 21 or older, and nominated in writing by a parent or legal guardian of the student.
Your role as a Student Guardian involves providing care and support for:
- A student visa holder under 18 years old.
- A student visa holder who is 18 years old or older and requires care and support due to exceptional circumstances.
In the context of this visa, a relative is defined as the student’s:
- Parent or step-parent
- Grandparent or step-grandparent
- Sibling or step-sibling
- Aunt, uncle, step-aunt, or step-uncle
- Niece, nephew, step-niece, or step-nephew
- Partner
- Child or stepchild
Be able to provide for the student
You must be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and support to the student.
Have enough money for your stay
You’re required to provide evidence demonstrating that you possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Australia. This includes meeting the costs for yourself, any accompanying family members, and the student visa holder.
Bringing children to Australia
If any member of your family unit is under the age of 6, the visa cannot be granted unless:
- There are compelling and compassionate reasons, or
- Granting the visa would notably benefit the relationship between the Australian Government and another country.
Additionally, if you’re 21 years old and the student visa holder is under 18, the nomination must be supported by a parent or legal guardian of the student.
Making welfare arrangements for dependants overseas
You are responsible for making adequate arrangements for the accommodation, support, and welfare of any non-migrating children of your family who:
- Are under 18 years old,
- Are not accompanying you to Australia, and
- Do not hold a Student visa.
For children aged 6 to 18 years, we consider adequate welfare arrangements to be in place if they will be residing with:
- Another parent or custodian, or
- A relative who is at least 21 years old.
To demonstrate these arrangements, you must provide evidence and a letter from the appointed guardian accepting responsibility for the non-migrating child while you’re in Australia. The letter should outline the guardian’s consent to financially support the child and confirm that the child will reside in their household. Additionally, include a copy of the guardian’s current personal identification, such as the bio-data page of their passport or a valid driver’s license showing the signature field.
Have adequate health insurance
You are responsible for covering all your healthcare expenses while in Australia. Having medical insurance is crucial to minimize your financial liability.
Upon being granted this visa, you must maintain sufficient health coverage for the entire duration of your stay. Your insurance should encompass medically necessary treatments, including transport.
For guidance on what constitutes adequate health insurance, refer to our guide. Additionally, you can learn more about health insurance options for overseas visitors.
It’s worth noting that some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. You can find further information about these agreements from Services Australia.
Be a genuine temporary entrant
Your intentions while in Australia must align with the following:
- Stay temporarily in the country.
- Abide by the activities permitted under this visa.
Furthermore, it’s essential that you have substantially adhered to the conditions of your last substantive or subsequent bridging visa.
When evaluating whether your stay in Australia is temporary, we take into account:
- Your personal circumstances in your home country.
- Your anticipated circumstances in Australia.
- Your immigration history.
- Any other factors relevant to your intention to remain in Australia temporarily.
Meeting our health requirement
You and any accompanying family members must fulfill the health requirement set by immigration authorities.
Meeting our character requirement
If you are a relative of the student visa holder, you must satisfy our character requirement.
Sign the Australian values statement
You must:
- Familiarize yourself with the contents of the Life in Australia booklet, either by reading it or having it explained to you.
- Sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your commitment to respecting the Australian way of life and adhering to Australian laws.
Have no debt to the Australian Government
If you or any of your family members owe money to the Australian Government, it must be repaid or arrangements must be made for repayment.
Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
Your immigration history will be taken into account during the decision-making process for your application. This means that if you have previously had a visa cancelled or refused, you may not be eligible for this visa.
However, in certain situations, you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa even if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused. For more information, refer to the section on Limitations on applications in Australia.
If you are applying for a visa from outside Australia, please refer to the section titled Can I go to Australia.
If you require assistance with your visa application, you can seek help from a qualified immigration professional.
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Conditions
8101 - No work
You are not permitted to work in Australia, which means you cannot engage in activities for which you would typically receive payment.
For holders of visitor visas only, there are some exceptions with our permission, including:
- Engaging in unpaid work related to and credited towards your studies if you are enrolled in a university outside Australia.
- Observing work practices in an industry, provided you are not actively participating in the work.
To request permission for such activities, you must submit a letter explaining your situation along with your visa application and supporting documents.
If your circumstances change after your arrival in Australia and you require permission to work, you will need to apply for a new Visitor visa (Tourist stream) specifically requesting permission to work. In such cases, you must demonstrate:
- Financial hardship due to your new situation.
- Likelihood of needing government assistance.
- Compelling personal reasons for seeking employment in Australia, such as a severe accident or illness.
- Inability to return home due to reasons beyond your control.
- Lack of alternative options but to work in Australia.
Decisions regarding permission to work are made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the processing office or Minister.
However, there are activities that you can engage in without our permission if you are not being paid, including:
- Volunteering.
- Engaging in online incidental work related to your job in your home country.
- Undertaking short-term domestic or caregiving duties for a family member.
8106 - Work limitation
You are prohibited from working in Australia unless the employment is directly related to the business or tasks outlined in your visa application.
The Department collaborates with the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure both employees and employers adhere to Australian workplace laws.
For comprehensive information on pay rates, shift calculations, leave arrangements, notice, and redundancy entitlements, you can utilize the Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT).
For a detailed list of conditions applicable to your visa, please refer to the Federal Register of Legislation.
8201 - Maximum 3 months study
While in Australia, you are restricted from participating in studies or training programs lasting more than 3 months, unless exempted under specific circumstances.
Exceptions to this restriction apply to holders of the following visa subclasses:
- subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visas
- subclass 602 (Medical Treatment) visas
- subclass 675 (Medical Treatment (Short Stay)) visas
- subclass 685 (Medical Treatment (Long Stay)) visas
For subclass 590 visa holders, studying up to 20 hours per week in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) is permitted.
Subclass 602, 675, and 685 visa holders may engage in studies exceeding 3 months if they are under 18, their circumstances have changed while in Australia, or they have received written permission due to their circumstances.
Other visa holders are not allowed to study or train in Australia for more than 3 months in total.
For a comprehensive list of conditions relevant to your visa, please consult the Federal Register of Legislation.
8501 - Maintain adequate health insurance
You are required to possess and continuously maintain adequate health insurance for the entirety of your stay in Australia. For further clarification on how this condition may apply to you, please refer to your visa details.
8502 - Not arrive before person specified in visa
You are prohibited from entering Australia before the person specified in the visa, typically the main visa holder or another relevant individual such as your sponsor in the case of a Partner visa, has entered Australia.
8516 - Continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa
You must continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa.
8534 - No further stay
While you’re in Australia, new substantive visas won’t be granted to you, except for:
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa,
- Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa, or
- Protection visa.
Condition 8534 may be applied to subclass 500 Student visa holders and their family members at our discretion. The decision to apply this condition will be made by the case officer handling your application.
If condition 8534 applies to your current visa and you wish to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa, you must use the paper form and indicate your intention to waive this condition on Form 1409 Application for a Temporary Graduate visa.
However, if you have completed the course for which your visa was granted, you do not need to request a waiver of condition 8534 to make a valid application for certain other visas, such as General Skilled Migration visa, Subclass 132 (Business Talent) visa, Subclass 186 (Employee Nomination Scheme) visa, and others listed.
You can request a waiver of this condition in specific circumstances if you intend to apply for any other visa, including another Student visa.
8537 - Live with the student and provide for their accommodation, support and welfare
While the student you are nominated to support is in Australia, you are required to reside in the country. During your and the student’s stay in Australia, you must:
- Stay together with the student.
- Ensure they have suitable accommodation.
- Provide support and assistance to them.
- Take care of their general welfare.
For further details, please refer to the Welfare arrangements for students under 18.
8538 - Not leave Australia without the student without our approval
You cannot depart Australia without the student visa holder you are responsible for unless you have made suitable welfare arrangements.
If you need to leave Australia without the student, you must demonstrate to us:
- Compelling and compassionate reasons for your absence from Australia without the student.
- Adequate alternative arrangements for the student’s accommodation, support, and general welfare until your return.
- Approval of these alternative arrangements by the student’s education provider if the student is under 18 years old.
We will inform you once we have approved the alternative arrangements.
To submit changes to your welfare arrangements, refer to ‘Your study situation has changed’.
Failure to maintain appropriate welfare arrangements may result in the cancellation of your visa.