The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is an Australian temporary visa for parents, legal guardians, or nominated relatives who travel to Australia to provide welfare support to a child who is studying in Australia on a Student visa (subclass 500). Australian student visa rules require that school-age students under 18 have an approved welfare arrangement — either a parent on a 590 visa, an approved homestay/custodian arrangement, or other approved welfare mechanism. The 590 provides one of the primary mechanisms for satisfying this welfare requirement. It replaced the earlier subclass 580 Guardian visa.

For current eligibility requirements, conditions, and application process, refer to the DHA Student Guardian 590 page.

• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) — visa criteria
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) — welfare obligations for under-18 students
• National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 — Standard 5 on student support services including welfare of under-18 students
• DHA: Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-590
• DHA: Welfare arrangements for students under 18 — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/welfare-under-18

Why a guardian visa is required for under-18 students

Australia's student visa framework and the ESOS Act require that international students who are under 18 years of age have an approved welfare arrangement in place before and during their study in Australia. The welfare arrangement must ensure that a responsible adult is available to provide care, supervision, and support for the student. Without an approved arrangement, the student visa cannot be granted for a person under 18. The three main approved arrangements are:

• A parent or legal guardian present in Australia on a subclass 590 Student Guardian visa
• A relative aged 21 or over who is nominated by a parent and holds a 590 visa
• An education provider-approved welfare arrangement — such as homestay with an approved family or boarding at an accredited school with welfare oversight

For more detail on the welfare framework for under-18 students, see the student welfare under-18 page.

Who can apply for the subclass 590

The subclass 590 is available to:

• A parent (biological or adoptive) of the student
• A legal guardian of the student (a person who has legal custody of the child)
• A relative aged 21 or over who has been nominated in writing by a parent or person with custody of the student as the approved welfare carer — this allows an aunt, uncle, older sibling, or other relative to serve as the guardian in Australia rather than the parent

The guardian must genuinely intend to be in Australia to support the student's welfare — not for another purpose with the welfare function being secondary.

Financial requirements

The subclass 590 applicant must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and the student for the period of the visa. This includes:

• Living expenses for the guardian and student in Australia
• School tuition fees (if not already paid)
• Return airfares for both guardian and student

Evidence of funds is typically provided through current bank statements. For current financial thresholds and documentation requirements, refer to the DHA 590 page.

Concurrent application with the student

The guardian's subclass 590 application and the student's subclass 500 application are typically made concurrently — at the same time. This ensures that both applications are assessed together and that the welfare arrangement for the student is in place before the student's visa is granted. If the guardian's application is not yet decided at the time the student's visa is ready for decision, the student visa may be held pending the guardian outcome.

Health and character requirements

The guardian applicant must meet Australia's health and character requirements, including:

• Health examination by a DHA-approved panel physician
• Police clearances for every country lived in for 12 or more months in the past 10 years since turning 16 — this requirement is particularly important for guardian applicants given the child welfare purpose of the visa

For current health and character requirements, refer to the DHA 590 page.

Visa period and conditions

The subclass 590 is generally granted for up to 5 years, linked to the student's study period. The 590 holder is entitled to remain in Australia for the duration of the student's study, and extensions are possible if the student's study continues. The 590 visa holder has limited work rights — refer to the DHA page for current work condition details, as these may vary and are subject to conditions attached to the specific visa grant.

When the student turns 18

Once the student turns 18, the welfare arrangement requirement no longer applies — the student is considered an adult under the visa framework and does not require a guardian. The guardian's 590 visa may continue for the remainder of its validity, but it is no longer serving a visa compliance function for the student. The guardian has no automatic right to remain in Australia after the student's study ends or after the student turns 18 beyond the 590 visa's expiry date.

The subclass 590 is primarily used by parents of primary and secondary school students at Australian private or public schools, as well as parents of younger university or VET students who have not yet turned 18. The police clearance requirement is taken seriously given the child welfare context — applicants with any concerning criminal history should take legal advice before applying. The welfare of under-18 students is also governed by the ESOS framework and the school or education provider — the 590 is one component of that broader welfare system. For current conditions, fees, and Form 157N (student guardianship arrangements), refer to the DHA Student Guardian 590 page.