The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) lets an eligible adult come to Australia to look after a Student visa holder who's under 18. In some cases, it can also apply to an older student who needs a guardian because of exceptional circumstances.
You'll generally need to be one of the following:
Beyond the relationship requirement, you'll also need enough funds to support both yourself and the student, suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements in place, adequate health insurance, and to meet the standard health and character requirements.
Once granted, a subclass 590 visa lets you stay in Australia for the period on your visa to provide day-to-day care and support for the student. You can also study yourself in a limited way — either an English course (ELICOS) for under 20 hours a week, or another course for up to three months — but the visa doesn't come with work rights.
A guardian's visa is tied directly to the student they're supporting, so it needs to be arranged alongside the student's own Student visa application rather than as an afterthought. If the student's circumstances change — they turn 18, or their welfare arrangements shift — it's worth checking whether the guardian arrangement still needs to continue.
The application generally runs alongside the student's own Student visa paperwork: confirming the relationship to the student, demonstrating financial capacity for both of you, arranging accommodation and health insurance, and lodging online. Because it's assessed together with the student's circumstances, getting the sequencing right matters.
I can confirm whether you qualify as an eligible guardian, help line up the financial and accommodation evidence the Department expects, and coordinate your application alongside the student's Student visa so both move through together.
Contact me to check your eligibility as a Student Guardian and get the timing right with the student's own visa application.
The information on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances. Student Guardian visa requirements and processing arrangements can change, and meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. Professional advice should be obtained based on your individual circumstances before lodging an application.
