The Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) allows you to stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student (you can care for more than one student) younger than 18 years of age studying in Australia on a Student Visa. You will also be permitted to study an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for less than 20 hours per week, or study another course for up to three months.
The Student Guardian Visa does not generally allow you to work. 

Before you apply for the Student Guardian Visa you must:

  • Be a parent or person who has custody of the student, or a relative who is 21 years or older and has been nominated in writing by a parent or someone who has custody of a person on an Australian Student Visa
  • Not bring family members younger than 6 years of age, except under certain circumstances
  • Be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student on the Australian Student Visa unless you are applying for the Student Guardian Visa with the support of the government your home country.

How long does the Student Guardian Visa last?

  • You can stay in Australia on a Student Guardian Visa for the same length of time as the Student Visa holder or until the student turns 18 years of age

Criteria to apply:

  • You must be a parent or person who has custody of the student on the Australian Student Visa, or a relative who is 21 years or older and has been nominated in writing by a parent or someone who has custody of the student on the Australian Student Visa
  • You must not bring family members younger than 6 years of age, except under certain circumstances
  • You must be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student unless you are applying for this visa with the support of the government your home country.
  • You must meet health requirements and undergo a physical examination
  • You must be considered to be financially capable of supporting yourself and any dependants travelling with you and the student during your stay in Australia.
  • You must have adequate health insurance whilst you are in Australia. There are minor exceptions to this requirement
  • You must not owe any money to the Australian government or have arranged to repay any money owed
  • You must be considered to be a “Genuine Temporary Entrant”. That is, you must satisfy the Department of Immigration that you have a genuine intention to stay in Australia only on a temporary basis

For information on your eligibility for student visas, please contact us for a free assessment.