Student Guardian Visa | Subclass 590
Student Guardian Visa
The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) allows a parent, legal custodian, or relative to live in Australia to provide care and support for an international student under 18 years of age. This temporary visa ensures that younger students have the necessary welfare arrangements in place while pursuing their world-class education in Australia.
Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary Residence |
| Stay | Length of student’s stay or until student turns 18 |
| Cost | From $2,500 AUD1 |
| Processing Time | Visa Application timeframe is approx. 33 days – 4 months2 |
| Key Requirement | Care for a student visa holder whom is under 18 years old |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 590 visa in 2026, you must meet strict familial, financial, and integrity criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
1. Relationship to the Student
You must be the student’s parent, a person who has legal custody, or a relative aged 21 or older who has been nominated in writing by a parent/custodian. Eligible relatives include grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or stepsiblings.
2. The “Genuine Temporary Stay” (GTS) Requirement
The Department must be satisfied that your primary intent is to provide care for the student and that you intend to stay in Australia only temporarily. You must answer targeted questions in your application regarding your ties to your home country and your financial circumstances.
3. Financial Capacity and Thresholds
You must prove you have enough money to support yourself, the student, and any other dependents. For 2026, the 12-month living cost requirement for a single guardian is $29,710 AUD. Alternatively, you can show evidence that your spouse or parent has a personal annual income of at least $102,500 AUD.
4. Welfare of Other Dependents
You generally cannot be granted this visa if you have a family member under 6 years of age, unless there are compelling or compassionate reasons. If you have other children between 6 and 18, you must prove you have made adequate welfare and schooling arrangements for them.
How to Apply for the Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Please note: The guardian visa application must be strategically timed alongside the student’s enrolment and visa process.
Step 1: Verify Student Enrolment
The student must have applied for or already hold a Student visa (subclass 500). We ensure the student’s course duration and age align with your guardianship eligibility.
Step 2: Prepare Financial & Relationship Evidence
We help you compile “decision-ready” documentation, including birth certificates, legal custody papers, and bank statements that meet the 2026 financial thresholds.
Step 3: Address the GTS Statement
You must provide a detailed response to the Department’s questions regarding your intent to stay temporarily. We review your answers to ensure they are consistent and backed by evidence of your ties to your home country.
Step 4: Lodge Your Online Application
The application is lodged via ImmiAccount. If you are in Australia, we ensure you hold a substantive visa that does not prevent onshore application.
Step 5: Health & Biometrics
After lodgement, you will likely need to undergo health examinations and provide biometrics. Providing these promptly is essential to stay within the 33-day priority processing window.
Being on a Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa
As a Student Guardian visa holder, you can:
- Live in Australia for the duration of the student’s visa or until the student turns 18.
- Travel in and out of Australia as often as you like (as long as you travel with the student).
- Study English for less than 20 hours per week or other short courses for up to 3 months.
Your Visa Obligations
- No Work Rights (Condition 8101): You are strictly prohibited from working in Australia.
- Living with the Student: You must live with the student and provide adequate accommodation and support.
- Travel Restrictions: You generally cannot leave Australia without the student visa holder unless you have made alternative, approved welfare arrangements.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The Student Guardian visa is often scrutinized for “Genuine Temporary Stay” risks. A single error in financial proof or relationship documentation can lead to a refusal that affects your entire family.
Our Subclass 590 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Assessment to ensure your family structure meets the strict under 6 years old children rules.
Financial Audit & Strategy to ensure your savings or income meet the indexed 2026 requirements.
GTS Statement Guidance to clearly articulate your temporary stay intentions and ties to your home country.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement to minimise processing delays and avoid unnecessary Departmental RFIs.
Full Management of health and biometrics coordination to ensure a smooth grant.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your family’s future. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa
Q: Can I work part-time while guarding my child?
A: No. The subclass 590 visa has a mandatory “No Work” condition (8101). Engaging in any form of paid labor is a breach of your visa conditions.
Q: Can I bring my other children with me?
A: Only if they are 6 years old or older and apply for their own Student visa. If they are under 6, you generally cannot be granted a 590 visa unless compelling circumstances apply.
Q: What happens when the student turns 18?
A: Your eligibility for the 590 visa generally ends once the student turns 18, unless they have exceptional circumstances requiring ongoing care.
Q: Can I travel back home for a holiday without the student?
A: Generally, no. You must stay in Australia while the student is here. If you must leave for an emergency, you must obtain written permission from the Department and prove alternative welfare arrangements are in place.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals for family visas – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 04 May 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
