Student Guardian Visa, Subclass 590
The Student Guardian visa lets a parent or eligible relative stay in Australia to care for a student who is under 18, or where the education provider requires a guardian for the student’s welfare. It is a temporary visa tied closely to the student’s enrolment, so the two applications need to work together.
The Student Guardian visa lets a parent, relative or nominated guardian stay in Australia to look after a student who is under 18. It is tied to the student’s own visa, so the two need to be planned together. We help families check eligibility and prepare for the guardian’s responsibilities.
- TypeTemporary
- ForGuardian of a student under 18
- Linked toThe student’s visa
- PlanTogether with the student visa
Overview
The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) lets a parent or eligible relative stay in Australia to care for a student.
- It applies where the student is under 18, or where the education provider requires a guardian for the student’s welfare.
- It is a temporary visa tied closely to the student’s enrolment, so the two applications need to work together.
- It does not lead to permanent residence and does not permit the guardian to work.
Who this suits
A parent or eligible relative of a Student visa holder
A guardian of a student who is under 18
A guardian required by the education provider as a condition of enrolment
A guardian who intends to stay temporarily and who can show this
Key facts
- The visa does not permit the guardian to work
- It is linked to the student’s course, provider and visa, so changes affect it
- It does not lead to permanent residence
- From 2 October 2026, some visa holders in Australia must apply from outside Australia, while current Student Guardian holders can still apply for another one onshore
Government application fees
Student Guardian (590)
Main applicant$2,500
Additional applicant under 18$500
These are the Department of Home Affairs charges only. They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount with the Department before you lodge. Other costs may apply, such as health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Our professional fees are separate.
What you need to qualify
- The student must hold, or be applying for, a Student visa, and the guardian’s application depends on that visa being in order.
- The guardian must be a parent or eligible relative, and the relationship must be properly documented.
- The student must be under 18, or the provider must require a guardian for the student’s welfare.
- The guardian must be a genuine temporary entrant and show they intend to stay only temporarily.
- The guardian must meet the health and character requirements and have adequate health insurance.
How the process works
- 01Confirm the student’s visa position and the guardian’s relationship and eligibility
- 02Check the rules that apply, including where the guardian can lodge from 2 October 2026
- 03Gather identity, relationship, welfare and genuine temporary entrant evidence
- 04Lodge the guardian application alongside, or after, the student’s application, as the rules allow
- 05Complete health and character checks, and respond to any department requests
Documents you will need
- Passport and identity documents for the guardian
- Evidence of the relationship to the student, such as a birth certificate
- The student’s visa details, Confirmation of Enrolment and evidence of the student’s age or provider requirement
- Evidence of the guardian’s ties to their home country and plans to stay temporarily
- Health insurance details, and police certificates and health examination results when requested
After the visa is granted
- The guardian must not work, and must follow the other conditions of the visa.
- The visa is generally linked to the student’s enrolment and ends when the guardianship need ends.
- If the student changes course, provider or visa, check how that affects the guardian before acting.
- Plan ahead if the student’s plans change, as the guardian’s stay may need to be reconsidered.
How we help
- Check that the guardian and the student qualify
- Prepare the guardian’s genuine temporary entrant evidence
- Coordinate the guardian visa with the student’s visa
- Advise when the student’s plans change
Common pitfalls
- Applying without the student’s visa in order
- Assuming the guardian can work
- Not planning for changes to the student’s course or provider
- Weak evidence of the guardian’s temporary intention to stay
Frequently asked questions
Can the guardian work in Australia?
No. The Student Guardian visa does not permit the guardian to work. If work rights matter to your family, it is better to know this before you apply so that you can plan finances and living arrangements accordingly.
How long can the guardian stay?
The visa is generally linked to the student’s enrolment and ends when the need for a guardian ends. The exact period depends on the student’s circumstances and the current settings, and we confirm the details for your case.
Who can be a guardian?
The guardian is usually a parent or an eligible relative of a Student visa holder. The student must be under 18, or the education provider must require a guardian for the student’s welfare. The guardian also needs to be a genuine temporary entrant, and we check eligibility on both sides.
Do I need to apply for the student’s visa first?
The guardian visa is closely tied to the student’s visa and enrolment, so the two applications need to work together. Applying before the student’s visa is in order can cause problems. We coordinate the timing and the supporting documents for both.
What happens if the student changes course or provider?
Because the guardian visa is linked to the student’s course, provider and visa, changes can affect it. Tell us before you make changes, so we can advise whether the guardian visa remains valid and what steps to take.
Can a guardian apply while already in Australia?
It depends on the visa the guardian holds. From 2 October 2026 some visa holders in Australia must apply from outside Australia, while current Student Guardian holders can still apply for another one onshore. We check the rules that apply to your circumstances.