Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)

Features

This visa allows you to stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student under 18 years of age who is studying in Australia on a student visa.

Requirements

You must:

  • Be a parent, legal custodian, or a relative (21 years or older) nominated in writing by a parent or legal custodian of the student.
  • Not bring family members under 6 years of age, except in specific circumstances.
  • Be able to provide accommodation, general welfare, and support to the student, unless you are applying with the support of your home country’s government.

Pre-qualifying Visas

If applying in Australia, you must hold a valid substantive temporary visa, but not any of the following:

  • Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular visa (subclass 426).
  • Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream.
  • Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (subclass 995) – primary visa holder only (family members of this visa can apply for a Student visa).
  • Transit visa (subclass 771).
  • Visitor visa (subclass 600) in the ‘Sponsored Family’ or ‘Approved Destination Status’ streams.

A substantive temporary visa is any visa except a bridging, criminal justice, or enforcement visa. It allows you to stay in Australia temporarily.

Bringing Children

Children under six years old can only accompany you if:

  • There are compassionate or compelling reasons, or
  • Granting the visa would significantly benefit relations between the Australian Government and your home country’s government. You must be at least 21 years old, and the student must be supported in writing by a parent or legal custodian.

The child must meet the same health requirements and have health insurance during their stay in Australia.

Children six years or older must apply for their own student visa.

Visa Eligibility

You must:

  • Be a parent, legal custodian, or a relative (21 years or older) nominated in writing by a parent or legal custodian of the student.
  • Not bring family members under six years of age, except under certain circumstances.
  • Be able to provide accommodation, welfare, and other support to the student unless supported by your home country’s government.

Additionally, you must:

  • Meet health and character requirements.
  • Have enough financial resources to support yourself, any dependents, and the student.
  • Have adequate health insurance for yourself and dependents.
  • Not owe any money to the Australian government or have arranged repayment if you do.
  • Stay in Australia temporarily.
  • Provide biometric information if requested.

Financial Requirements

You must have enough funds to support yourself, the student, and any children accompanying you during your stay. You will need to show evidence of this by providing:

  • Funds to cover travel costs and 12 months of living expenses for yourself and any children accompanying you, or
  • Proof that your spouse (who is not traveling with you) earns an annual income of at least AUD 70,000.

If the visa grant would significantly benefit relations between Australia and your home country, you only need to show evidence of funds for yourself and dependents, not the student.

Minimum 12-month Living Costs for Australia

Costs Amount required in AUD per year
You (the visa applicant) 19,830
Child, if applicable (each) 2,970

These figures are indicative. Actual living costs may vary based on where you live.

Access to Funds

Funds must be genuinely available to support you and your family during your stay. Acceptable sources of funds include:

  • Money deposits with financial institutions.
  • Loans from financial institutions or government.
  • Scholarships or sponsorships.

When assessing your application, factors like the relationship between you and the fund provider, your or the fund provider’s financial situation, and visa history will be considered.

Annual Income Option

If relying on your spouse’s income, it must be at least AUD 70,000, and evidence must come from official government documents, such as a tax assessment issued within 12 months of the visa application.

Health Insurance

You must provide evidence of health insurance for the duration of your stay. The insurance can be Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) or a similar product from Australia or your home country. The student must also have their own health insurance.

Identity and Relationship Documents

You must provide:

  • Proof of identity.
  • Documents proving your relationship with the student (e.g., birth certificate showing both parents).
  • A passport and recent passport-sized photographs.
  • Proof of name change, if applicable.

Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement

We will assess whether your intention is to stay in Australia temporarily by considering:

  • Your personal circumstances in your home country.
  • Potential circumstances in Australia.
  • Your immigration history.

You can demonstrate this by providing:

  • Evidence of family members in your home country.
  • Proof of visa or residence status in your home country.
  • Property or significant assets in your home country.
  • A return air ticket.
  • A letter from your employer confirming your leave.

Bringing Children

If you are bringing a child under six years old, and someone with legal rights over the child is not traveling with you, provide:

  • Form 1229, which grants consent for the child to travel to Australia, or
  • A statutory declaration of consent and a certified copy of the person’s identity documents.

Preparing Your Application

  • Non-English documents must be translated.
  • Scan all documents, including translations, and attach them to your online application.
  • Provide certified copies of documents to avoid delays or refusal.

Visa Conditions

You must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws. Key conditions may include:

  • Staying with the student and providing welfare, accommodation, and support.
  • Not leaving Australia without the student unless alternative arrangements are made.
  • Maintaining health insurance for yourself and dependent children.
  • Not working while in Australia.

Visa details and conditions can be viewed via Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

If supported by your home country’s government, you will have different visa conditions.

Entering and Leaving Australia

You may leave Australia temporarily, but not without the student unless you arrange alternative welfare arrangements.

If leaving Australia without the student, provide evidence of:

  • Compassionate or compelling reasons.
  • Approved alternative arrangements for the student’s accommodation and welfare.

Alternative arrangements can be made by nominating another student guardian or allowing the education provider to take responsibility for the student’s welfare.

Failure to comply with visa conditions may result in cancellation of your visa and the student’s visa.