Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)

To be eligible for this visa you must:

1. 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 the student.
2. Not bring family members younger than 6 years of age to Australia, except under certain circumstances (please see below).
3. Be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student.
4. Have enough money genuinely available to support yourself, the student and children coming with you for the duration of your stay in Australia. You must show evidence of financial capacity by providing one of the following (A) evidence of funds to cover travel costs and 12 months’ living costs for yourself and any other children coming with you, or (B) evidence that your spouse (who is not travelling to Australia) will support you and your dependants and has an annual income of at least AUD 70,000. Funds to support you and your family members must come from an acceptable source such as money deposits or loans from a financial institution.
5. Satisfy the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) that you are a “Genuine Temporary Entrant”. We can advise you what sort of information and evidence you can supply to help prove this to the DIBP.
6. Have adequate health insurance for you and any dependants coming with you.
7. Meet health and character requirements
8. If you are lodging your visa application in Australia, hold a “pre-qualifying visa”, which includes most temporary visas besides a bridging visa, criminal justice or enforcement visa.

You can only bring children under six years old if either:

1. There are compelling and compassionate reasons for the child to accompany you to Australia.
2. The granting the visa would significantly benefit the relationship between the Australian Government and the government of another country.

If this is the case, you must be at least 21 and the child must be supported in writing by a parent or person who has custody.

The visa does not allow the holder to work in Australia in any occupation that is paid. Volunteer work is only possible if it:

1. Is incidental to the care of the student.
2. Would not otherwise be undertaken by an Australian resident.
3. Is genuinely voluntary for a non-profit organisation.
4. Attracts no remuneration.

You can lodge the visa either inside or outside of Australia. If you lodge the application in Australia, you will be granted a Bridging Visa which will allow you to stay in Australia until the visa is processed. If you lodge the visa application in Australia, you must be in Australia for the visa to be granted.

If you lodge the visa application outside of Australia, you must be outside of Australia for the visa to be granted.

Our experienced immigration lawyers have successfully handled many applications for Student Guardian Visas. We will ensure your application is given the best prospects of success.

We offer all our prospective clients an initial meeting, during which we will thoroughly explain the law surrounding this visa to you and inform you of the process moving forward.

To organise an initial consultation with us, please contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers on (02) 9590 3987.

The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) is designed for parents or legal guardians of international students under the age of eighteen and studying in Australia. With a 590 visa, the parents or guardians can reside in Australia to ensure the international student receives proper care and support during their stay. If your child is planning to study in Australia and you wish to remain with them while they complete their studies, we can help you get your Student Guardian Visa. Get in touch with The Immigration Lawyers for all the guidance and support you need regarding the 590 Visa.

How long does a Student Guardian Visa last for?

When an individual has been granted a Student Guardian Visa in Australia, the visa typically lasts for the same duration as the student’s studies. If the student wishes to extend their studies in Australia, it may be necessary for the applicant of the Student Guardian Visa to apply for an extension if they wish to remain in Australia legally.

Can I switch to another visa while in Australia on a 590 visa?

It is possible to switch from a Student Guardian Visa to another type of visa, but it will depend on the type you are applying for and whether or not you meet the requirements. For example, it might be possible to apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) to extend your stay slightly, but if you wish to transition to a work visa, the process can be complex, requiring significant legal assistance.

What happens if the student turns 18 before my visa expires?

If the student turns 18, the Department of Home Affairs may need to reassess your Student Guardian Visa conditions. In some instances, it may be necessary to leave the country or apply for a different visa.

If you would like to stay up-to-date with Australian immigration law or want to have a better understanding of specific Australian visas and their application process, feel free to contact The Immigration Lawyers anytime. Additionally, you can check out the blogs on our news page to see if we have already covered what you’re looking for.