Subclass 590
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) Australia
Come to Australia to care for and support a child who holds a Student visa. For parents, custodians and relatives aged 21 or older. From AUD2,500.
About the Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) lets a parent, custodian or eligible relative come to Australia to provide care and support for a Student visa holder who is under 18 (or over 18 in exceptional circumstances). You can stay until the date in your grant letter, which usually reflects the student's stay or when they turn 18. You cannot work on this visa.
With this visa you can
- Care for and support a Student visa holder under 18 (or older in exceptional circumstances)
- Care for more than one student
- Study ELICOS for less than 20 hours per week, or other study or training for up to 3 months
- Travel in and out of Australia (with alternative welfare arrangements for the student)
You must
- Be the student's parent, custodian or a relative aged 21 or older
- Show sufficient funds to support yourself and the student
- Have adequate health insurance for your whole stay
- Provide accommodation, welfare and other support to the student
- Hold an eligible substantive visa if you apply in Australia
Who counts as a relative
A relative must be aged 21 or older and nominated in writing by a parent or person who has custody of the student.
Money a Student Guardian Must Show
You must show enough money to support yourself, the student and any family members coming with you. This includes 12 months of course fees for the student, 12 months of living costs and any school fees. Alternatively, you can show annual income of at least AUD102,500.
| Cost | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs: you (the guardian) | AUD29,710 | per 12 months |
| Living costs: a child coming with you | AUD4,449 | per 12 months |
| Schooling: each school-age child | AUD13,502 | per year (minimum) |
| Course fees for the student | 12 months | or pro rata if the course is shorter |
| Income alternative | AUD102,500 | annual income, instead of savings |
Documents you will need
- A personal statement addressing the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement (it can be in your own language)
- Proof of your relationship to the student, such as birth certificates
- A completed Form 157N (Student Guardianship Arrangements), lodged with the student's application where possible
- Police certificates for each country you lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16
- Evidence of adequate health insurance for your whole stay
Good to know
- Lodge the guardian and student applications at the same time where possible
- Relatives must meet the character requirement
- You must have substantially complied with the conditions of any previous visa
- Providing false information can stop you getting another visa for 10 years
Children Under 6 & Children Staying at Home
Children under 6
- The visa will generally not be granted if any member of your family unit is under 6, even if they are not travelling with you
- Exceptions apply only for compelling and compassionate reasons, or significant benefit to Australia's relationship with another government
- If granted, a child under 6 is covered only until their 6th birthday
- Children 6 or older can travel with you but need their own Student visa
Children staying at home
- Make adequate welfare arrangements for children under 18 who are not coming to Australia
- They should live with another parent or custodian, or a relative aged 21 or older
- Provide a letter from the appointed guardian accepting responsibility
- Include the guardian's passport bio-data page or driver's licence
Based on Department of Home Affairs information (last updated October 2026) and the Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026, which commenced on 2 October 2026. Fees, requirements and processing times can change. Always confirm current details with the Department of Home Affairs or ask our team. This page is general information, not migration advice for your circumstances.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590): Full Details
Everything about this visa, from eligibility to what happens after grant.
About this visa
Care for an international student in Australia.
- Come to Australia to care for a student visa holder under 18 (or over 18 in exceptional circumstances)
- Study ELICOS for less than 20 hours a week, or other study or training for up to 3 months
- Travel in and out of Australia
Temporary. The length of the visa is linked to the student's visa and circumstances.
From AUD2,500. Concessions apply in limited circumstances.
Eligibility
What you need to meet.
You must be the student's parent, a person with custody of the student, or an eligible relative nominated by the parents or custodians.
You must be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and support to the student.
You must show evidence that you have enough money to pay for your stay in Australia.
A visa will not be granted if any member of your family unit is under 6, unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons or other exceptions apply.
You must make adequate arrangements for the accommodation, support and welfare of any of your children who are not coming with you.
You must hold adequate health insurance for your stay.
You can only apply in Australia in limited circumstances, such as when you already hold a Student Guardian visa for the same student.
You must only intend to stay temporarily in Australia and do the things this visa allows.
You must meet the health and character requirements, and have repaid (or arranged to repay) any debts to the Australian Government. Permanent and provisional visa applicants, and family members applying with them, must have health examinations with an approved panel physician. Temporary visa applicants might need them, depending on the visa and their circumstances. For the character requirement, Home Affairs may ask for police certificates and Form 80.
Step by step
How to apply.
Get expert advice first
Book a consultation with Outlook Immigration. Our registered migration agent will assess your eligibility, confirm this is the right visa for you and explain your options before you apply.
Gather your documents
Passport, evidence of your relationship to the student, funds and health insurance. We will tell you exactly what you need.
Apply
Apply well before the student's course starts. You might need to organise health examinations.
After you apply
Respond to any requests for more information. Home Affairs may also ask for health examinations, police certificates or biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image).
Visa outcome
You will be told the decision in writing, including your visa conditions.
When you have this visa
Your conditions on this visa.
You must meet all your visa conditions and obey Australian laws. Your conditions are in your grant letter and in VEVO.
You must provide care, accommodation and welfare to the student while you are in Australia.
You can study ELICOS for less than 20 hours a week, or other study or training for up to 3 months.
Let Home Affairs know about changes such as a new passport, address or relationship status.
Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Still have questions?
Book an appointment with a registered migration agent and get clear answers about your visa options.
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A parent of the student, a person who has custody of the student, or a relative of the student aged 21 or older who is nominated in writing by a parent or custodian.
From AUD2,500 for the main applicant (concessions apply in limited circumstances, including for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens), plus a charge for each family member who applies.
No. You cannot work on a Student Guardian visa. You can study an ELICOS course for less than 20 hours per week, or other study or training for no more than 3 months.
Until the date on your visa grant letter, which usually reflects the length of the student's stay or when the student turns 18. If the student continues to study, you can apply for another Student Guardian visa.
Generally, the visa will not be granted if any member of the family unit is under 6 years old, unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons. Children aged 6 or older can travel with you but must apply for their own Student visa.
Yes, if you hold an eligible substantive visa. Current Student Guardian visa holders can apply for another one in Australia while the student continues to study. Holders of certain visas, such as Visitor, Working Holiday and Temporary Graduate visas, cannot apply in Australia.
Yes. A Student Guardian can care for more than one student visa holder.
Enough for 12 months of the student's course fees, 12 months of living costs (AUD29,710 for you and AUD4,449 for each child coming with you) and any school fees (at least AUD13,502 per child per year). Alternatively, you can show annual income of at least AUD102,500.
Supporting Your Child's Studies in Australia?
A registered migration agent can prepare the Student Guardian visa alongside your child's Student visa.
