Student Guardian
Student Guardian (590)
Parents of students under 18 can apply for a Student Guardian Visa (590) to live in Australia as their child’s registered carer. Expert advice on eligibility, conditions, and work rights.
What Is the Student Guardian Visa?
The Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) is designed for relatives (usually parents) of international students under 18 years old who want to accompany or join the student in Australia as their registered primary carer. Most CRICOS-registered institutions require all students under 18 to have an approved welfare arrangement in place, and for many families, that means a parent being present in Australia on a guardian visa.
The 590 visa allows the guardian to live in Australia for the same period as the student’s enrolled course, provides limited work rights, and requires the guardian to act as the student’s welfare carer — not to pursue their own study or work opportunities as a primary purpose.
Eligibility — Guardian Visa Requirements
- The student being cared for must hold a student visa (subclass 500) or be applying for one simultaneously
- The student must be under 18 at the time of application and for the period of the guardian visa
- The guardian must be a parent, legal guardian, or eligible relative of the student as defined in the Migration Regulations
- The guardian must genuinely intend to act as the student’s primary carer, not to undertake study or work as a primary purpose
- Satisfy health and character requirements
- Hold Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for the duration of the stay
- The student’s education institution must be aware of and approve the welfare arrangement with the guardian
Who Can Be the Guardian? — Eligible Relatives
The guardian must be the student’s parent, step-parent, or a relative aged 21 or over who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen — OR a relative aged 21 or over who genuinely intends to be responsible for the student’s welfare during the stay. In practice, the guardian is almost always a parent. Extended family members can be eligible but may face greater scrutiny about the genuineness of the welfare arrangement.
Work Rights on the Guardian Visa
Student Guardian visa holders have limited work rights — they may work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight. The guardian visa is not designed as a work visa — the primary purpose is the student’s welfare and care. Guardians who are found to be primarily working and not genuinely acting as the student’s carer may face visa cancellation.
It is important for families to understand that the guardian cannot study (with limited exceptions for courses directly related to caring for the student) and cannot use the guardian visa as a de facto work or migration visa.
| Applicant | Govt Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Primary guardian applicant | $710 | 2–8 weeks (often decided with student visa) |
Key Points for Guardian Visa Applications
- Apply simultaneously with or just after the student’s 500 visa for seamless timing
- Prepare a genuine welfare statement explaining why parental presence is necessary and what welfare arrangements are in place
- Obtain confirmation from the institution of the welfare arrangement
- Financial evidence must show capacity to cover guardian’s living costs in Australia without relying on the student’s finances
- The Guardian’s Genuine Temporary Entrant assessment applies — evidence of ties to home country strengthens the application
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