Guardian Eligibility Assessment
We review your relationship with the student, their age and the proposed welfare arrangements to help determine whether you may qualify.
Student Guardian Visa Subclass 590
The Student Guardian Visa Subclass 590 allows an eligible parent, legal custodian or relative to stay in Australia and care for an international student.
It is mainly designed for students under 18 who need accommodation, welfare and general support while studying. A guardian may be considered for a student aged 18 or older only in exceptional circumstances.
Think Higher Consultants provides clear guidance on eligibility, financial evidence, welfare arrangements and the visa application process.
Book a consultation with our teamHow We Can Help
Form 157N Guidance
We guide you through the student guardian nomination requirements and check that the information provided by the student, parents and guardian is consistent.
Financial Capacity Review
We explain the applicable financial requirements and review the evidence you intend to provide.
Document Review
We check your identity, relationship, financial, welfare, health insurance and character documents before lodgement.
Application Assistance
We guide you through the online Student Guardian Visa application and help you respond to requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa Condition Guidance
We explain the restrictions relating to work, study, travel and caring for the nominated student.
Who Can Apply?
For a student under 18
For a student under 18, the guardian must generally be:
- A parent or legal custodian
- An eligible relative aged 21 or older, nominated in writing by the parent or legal custodian
Eligible relatives include a step-parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle, including step-relatives. Family friends and cousins generally do not qualify.
Can a Guardian Support a Student Over 18?
A relative aged 21 or older may be considered as the guardian of a student who has already turned 18 where exceptional reasons exist.
The application must explain why the adult student still needs the guardian to live with them and provide accommodation, support and general welfare.
Ordinary family preference or emotional support may not be enough to meet this requirement.
Student Guardian Visa Requirements
Applicants must generally:
- Be an eligible parent, legal custodian or relative
- Be nominated through Form 157N
- Live with and care for the nominated student
- Provide suitable accommodation and welfare support
- Have sufficient funds for the stay
- Maintain adequate health insurance
- Meet health and character requirements
- Intend to stay in Australia temporarily
- Follow all visa conditions
- Arrange suitable care for any children under 18 remaining outside Australia
The student and guardian must genuinely intend to live together in Australia.
Genuine Student Guardian Assessment
The applicant must show that their main purpose is to temporarily care for the nominated student.
Home Affairs may consider:
- Why the guardian is required
- The student’s age and welfare needs
- Financial and family circumstances
- Visa history and previous compliance
- Accommodation plans in Australia
- Ties to the home country and plans to leave Australia
This assessment is separate from the Genuine Student requirement for a Student Visa Subclass 500.
Financial Requirements
The guardian must show genuine access to enough funds for the intended stay.
The financial assessment may include:
- Travel expenses
- Living expenses for the guardian
- Living expenses for the nominated student
- Up to 12 months of the student’s unpaid course fees
- Expenses for an eligible accompanying child
- School costs where applicable
Financial Capacity
Applicants may need to show funds for:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Guardian’s annual living costs | AUD29,710 |
| Student’s annual living costs | AUD29,710 |
| Eligible accompanying child | AUD4,449 |
| School costs, where applicable | AUD13,502 |
For stays under 12 months, living costs may be calculated proportionately.
Financial evidence may include bank funds, approved loans, government loans, scholarships or formal financial support. In some cases, official evidence of a spouse or partner’s annual income of at least AUD102,500 may be accepted.
Home Affairs may check the source and availability of the funds. These amounts can change and should be confirmed before lodgement.
Health Insurance
The guardian must have adequate health insurance for the intended period in Australia.
Any eligible accompanying child must also have appropriate cover. The international student must separately maintain the insurance required for their Student visa.
The policy should cover the required period and remain active while the visa holder is in Australia.
Work Rights
Most Student Guardian Visa holders are subject to condition 8101 and cannot work in Australia. This includes paid work and activities that would ordinarily attract payment, even when payment is not received.
Applicants should make sure they can support themselves without relying on employment in Australia.
Study Rights
A guardian can generally undertake up to three months of study or training. An exception may apply to a guardian completing an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students for fewer than 20 hours per week.
A person intending to complete longer or full-time study should obtain advice about whether a different visa is required.
Form 157N and Welfare Arrangements
Form 157N is used to nominate the proposed guardian and confirm the relationship, parental consent and planned welfare arrangements.
Where possible, the Subclass 590 and Student Visa Subclass 500 applications should be lodged together.
Alternatively, the education provider may approve the student’s welfare through a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW).
Documents You May Need
The exact documents depend on the applicant’s circumstances.
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Completed Form 157N
- Birth certificates or relationship evidence
- Parental consent or custody documents
- Student’s passport, enrolment and visa details
- Financial capacity evidence
- Health insurance evidence
- Police certificates, where required
- Accommodation and welfare details
- English translations for non-English documents
Student Guardian Visa Conditions
The visa commonly includes conditions requiring the guardian to:
- Not work in Australia
- Limit study or training
- Maintain adequate health insurance
- Continue meeting the visa requirements
- Live with and support the nominated student
- Obtain approval before leaving Australia without the student
- Comply with restrictions on applying for certain other visas from inside Australia
The exact conditions must be checked in the visa grant notice or through VEVO.
Processing Time
Current estimates indicate that around 50% of Student Guardian Visa applications are processed within approximately 39 days, while most are finalised within about 7 months.
Processing times can change and may be longer if documents, health checks or further information are required. Applicants should check the Home Affairs processing-time guide before lodging.
Registered Migration Advice
Student Guardian Visa Guidance
Your case is managed with guidance from Registered Migration Agent Aneel Khowaja, MARN 1571699.
We can review the guardian relationship, financial capacity, welfare arrangements and visa conditions before you proceed.
Related Visa Information
Related Visas And Student Stay Options
Review closely connected visa information where the student, guardian or another family member may need a separate Australian visa.
Why Choose Think Higher Consultants?
Registered Migration Agent
Your case is managed with guidance from Registered Migration Agent Aneel Khowaja, MARN 1571699.
More Than 11 Years of Experience
We have experience assisting families with Australian visa applications and complex immigration requirements.
Clear Eligibility Guidance
We explain the guardian relationship, financial capacity, welfare and visa conditions before you proceed.
Detailed Document Review
We review the information and documents you intend to provide and identify gaps or inconsistencies.
Support Throughout the Process
We assist from the initial assessment through to lodgement and communication with the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible to Act as a Student’s Guardian?
An eligible relative aged 21 or older may be nominated in writing by the student’s parent or legal custodian. Evidence of the family relationship must be provided.
Can I apply for the guardian visa with the Student Visa 500?
Yes. Where a nominated guardian needs a Subclass 590 visa, the student and guardian applications should generally be lodged at the same time.
Can a Guardian Leave Australia Without the Student?
A guardian should not leave Australia without the student unless alternative welfare arrangements have been approved. This may require a replacement guardian, a new Form 157N and supporting documents. Travelling before approval may affect both visas.
Is It Possible to Extend the Student Guardian Visa?
The visa does not extend automatically. A guardian may apply for another Subclass 590 visa before the current visa expires if continued care is required and the eligibility requirements are still met. Condition 8534 may restrict applications for other visas while the guardian is in Australia.
Can Family Members Be Included?
Family members generally cannot be included in a Subclass 590 application. A child under six may be included in limited circumstances where compelling and compassionate reasons exist. The child must also meet health, character and insurance requirements. A spouse, partner or older child must usually apply for a separate visa. The guardian must also arrange suitable care for any children under 18 who remain outside Australia.
Subclass 590 Assessment
Get Help With Your Student Guardian Visa Application
Caring for a young student in another country involves important financial, welfare and visa responsibilities.
Think Higher Consultants can assess your circumstances, explain the requirements and guide you through the application process.
Book a consultation with our team to discuss your eligibility and the next steps.