Subclass 590 / Support for their study years
Student Guardian visa
(subclass 590)
Their next chapter. Your care and support.
Be there for a student who needs your care while studying in Australia. We help you understand the guardian requirements, practical arrangements and visa conditions before you apply.
- Purpose
- Care and support for an eligible student
- Usually
- A student under 18
- Work
- No work permitted
- Stay
- The dates in your visa grant
What this visa can support
Care that supports their time in Australia.
The Student Guardian visa is designed around the student's welfare. Your relationship, capacity to provide care and temporary plans all need to be considered.
Be present for the student
An eligible guardian can live with the student and provide accommodation, care and support.
Plan the practical arrangements
Look at housing, finances, health cover and family circumstances before making relocation plans.
Know your responsibilities
Understand the limits on work and study, and what is required if you need to travel without the student.
Understand the options in context
Start with the student and the care they need.
The visa has a specific care purpose. These situations help explain the assessment; they are not separate visa streams.
A student under 18
Review the student's enrolment, age, parental consent, proposed guardian and day-to-day welfare arrangements.
An older student with exceptional needs
An applicant caring for a student aged 18 or over needs to establish the exceptional circumstances requiring support.
More than one student
A guardian may care for more than one student, but must be able to meet the care, accommodation and financial responsibilities.
The requirements in context
What needs to line up.
We assess the care arrangement as a whole, including your own circumstances and ability to support the stay without working.
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01
An eligible relationship and nomination
You must be a parent or person with custody, or an eligible relative aged 21 or older nominated by a parent or custodian. Provide the relationship and nomination evidence required.
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02
Capacity to provide care
Show how you will live with the student and provide accommodation, welfare and support. Explain any exceptional care need if the student is 18 or older.
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03
Temporary plans, finances and insurance
The Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement continues to apply to guardians. Review genuine access to funds, adequate health insurance, health, character and your family circumstances.
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04
A valid application and family review
Check current location and visa rules, including the changes from 2 October 2026. Family members under six can affect eligibility even if they will not travel with you.
The care arrangement comes first.
You cannot work on a Student Guardian visa. Limited study is allowed: ELICOS for less than 20 hours per week, or other study or training for no more than three months.
You generally need to live with and support the student. Before leaving Australia without them, arrange alternative welfare and obtain the required approval. A valid visa alone does not remove these responsibilities.
Most temporary visa holders affected by the 2 October 2026 changes must apply for a Student Guardian visa offshore and be offshore at grant. Current Student Guardian visa holders can continue to apply for a further guardian visa in Australia if they meet the requirements.
A plan you can follow
From your circumstances to a practical next step.
Coordinate the student's plans and your own application early, with a clear view of welfare, finances and where you can apply.
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Understand the care arrangement
Review the student's age, enrolment and needs, your relationship and nomination, and the family's circumstances.
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Check eligibility and prepare evidence
Work through identity, custody or consent, temporary plans, funds, insurance and any care or accommodation records.
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Coordinate the application
Check the permitted application location, required documents and timing alongside the student's visa and welfare arrangements.
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Prepare for the responsibilities
If granted, understand the visa dates, care conditions, study limits and rules for any travel without the student.
Preparation that makes sense
The right records. A clearer picture.
The checklist depends on your circumstances and the work agreed with you. It may include:
- Passports, identity records and current or previous visa information.
- Relationship, custody, parental consent and guardian nomination records.
- The student's enrolment, visa details and proposed welfare arrangements.
- Financial records, adequate health insurance and evidence of temporary plans.
- Any required family, health, character or exceptional-care evidence.
A little more clarity
Your 590 questions, made clearer.
A starting point for understanding the requirements. We can look at the detail when we know your circumstances.
Is this the same as a Parent visa?
No. This visa has a temporary student-care purpose. Eligibility and conditions are linked to providing care for an eligible student. It is not a permanent family migration visa.
Can I work or study while I am the guardian?
Work is not permitted. You may study ELICOS for less than 20 hours a week, or undertake other study or training for no more than three months. Check the conditions attached to your own visa.
Does every parent of an international student need this visa?
The right arrangement depends on the student's age, welfare needs and the adult's existing immigration status. Some students have provider-approved welfare or another eligible guardian arrangement. Review the circumstances before choosing a visa.
Can I bring my other children?
Having a family member under six can prevent a grant unless a specified exception applies, even when that child will remain overseas. An eligible accompanying child under six must be included when applying. Children aged six or older need their own Student visa. Review the whole family situation first.
Can I travel without the student?
Do not leave without first addressing alternative welfare and the required approval. Your visa conditions can require the student to travel with you unless approved arrangements are in place.
How long can I stay?
The grant letter sets the visa end date. Home Affairs considers the student's stay and when they turn 18, together with the care circumstances. Check the actual grant rather than assuming your visa always ends on the same day as the student's.
Does the Genuine Student requirement apply to me?
Guardians continue to be assessed against the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement. Your purpose is to stay temporarily to provide the care permitted by the visa. The student's own Student visa application is assessed under its applicable requirements.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
Check the current processing-time guide and visa fee information for the relevant application. Times are guides and charges can change. We explain the agreed professional scope and fees separately from government charges and other costs.
Your next step starts with you
Support their studies with a plan you understand.
Tell us about the student, the care they need and your family circumstances. We will help you understand the guardian requirements and next step.