Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)

Who can be a guardian?

You must be:

• the student's parent, or
• a person who has custody of the student, or
• a relative aged 21 or over, nominated in writing by a parent or the person with custody

A relative means the student's parent or step-parent, grandparent or step-grandparent, sibling or step-sibling, aunt, uncle or their step equivalents, niece, nephew or step equivalents, partner, child or stepchild. The student must be under 18, or 18 or older and need care because of exceptional circumstances.

What you can and cannot do

• Provide care and support for the student (you can care for more than one student).
• Study an ELICOS course for less than 20 hours a week, or any other study or training for no more than 3 months.
• You cannot work.
• You can travel in and out of Australia, but you cannot leave without the student unless you have made other welfare arrangements.

How long can you stay?

Until the date on your visa grant letter, which usually follows the length of the student's stay or the date the student turns 18. If the student continues to study, you can apply for another 590.

Cost

From A$2,500 for the main applicant, with a charge for each family member. A lower cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens, and family members get the same rate based on the main applicant's passport.

Family members

The visa will not be granted if any member of the family unit is under 6 years old, even if that child is not travelling, unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons or granting it would significantly benefit Australia's relationship with another government. A child under 6 who is granted a visa has it only until their 6th birthday. Children 6 or older can travel with you but must apply for their own Student visa. You cannot add a child under 6 after you lodge.

If you have children who stay overseas and are under 18 without a Student visa, you must make adequate welfare arrangements: for ages 6 to 18, living with another parent, a custodian, or a relative aged 21 or over, with a letter from that guardian accepting responsibility.

Where can you apply?

From inside or outside Australia. Inside Australia you must hold an eligible substantive visa. You can apply for a new 590 in Australia if you currently hold a 590 and the student you care for continues studying.

You cannot apply in Australia if you hold: 400, 403, 407, 408, 417, 457, 462, 482, 485, 500 as a secondary holder, 600, 601, 602, 651, 771, 988, or 995 as a primary holder (family of a 995 holder can apply). If you do not hold a substantive visa, you can apply within 28 days of your 590, a special purpose visa, or a dependent diplomatic visa ending, or of being told that a visa cancellation was set aside. If you cannot apply in Australia, you must apply and be granted the visa outside Australia.

Money

You need enough money for travel for you and the student, 12 months of the student's course fees, 12 months of living costs for you, the student and any accompanying family, and school fees for children with you.

Instead of savings, a spouse or de facto partner who is not travelling and earned A$102,500 or more in the 12 months before you apply can support you. Show it with government tax assessments less than 12 months old, not bank statements.

Documents

• Passport pages, national ID, proof of name change
• A completed Form 157N (Student guardianship arrangements). The application is not valid without it.
• A personal statement for the genuine temporary entrant requirement, covering ties to your home country and your reason to return
• Evidence of funds and welfare arrangements for children left overseas
• Evidence of health insurance for the first 12 months for you and family: OVHC or equivalent
• A polio vaccination certificate if you are applying from outside Australia and have been in a country at risk

Other requirements

Health, character (if you are a relative), the Australian values statement, no debt to the Australian Government, and a good immigration history.