Visa duration is determined by the Department of Home Affairs and generally aligns with the student's visa validity or until the student reaches 18 years of age. Guardians may extend their stay by lodging subsequent Student Guardian visa applications when continued care is required. The visa permits care for multiple student visa holders within the same family unit simultaneously.
1 Permitted Activities and Restrictions
Primary Purpose: Provide care, accommodation, and welfare support for one or more international students holding valid student visas in Australia. This caregiving role represents the visa's fundamental purpose and primary obligation.
Study Limitations: Guardians may enroll in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) for up to 20 hours weekly. Additionally, guardians can undertake other training or educational programs for maximum three-month durations.
Work Restrictions: The visa does not grant work rights. Guardians cannot engage in any form of paid employment while holding subclass 590 visas, as their primary focus must remain on student care responsibilities.
Multiple Student Care: Guardians may simultaneously provide care for multiple student visa holders within their family, coordinating support and accommodation arrangements for several students undertaking Australian education programs.
2 Eligibility Requirements
Relationship Requirements: Eligible applicants include parents, stepparents, grandparents, step-grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, uncles, aunts, step-uncles, step-aunts, nieces, nephews, step-nieces, step-nephews, and partners of qualifying students. Other relationships require exceptional circumstances for consideration.
Caregiving Capacity: Demonstrate ability to provide appropriate accommodation, financial support, and comprehensive welfare arrangements for student visa holders. This includes ensuring suitable living conditions and meeting students' daily care needs throughout visa validity.
Financial Capacity: Prove sufficient funds supporting your living expenses, any accompanying family members, and the student visa holder's welfare. Financial evidence must demonstrate sustainable resources throughout the intended stay period.
Genuine Temporary Entry: Establish intentions to stay temporarily in Australia through evidence of circumstances in your home country, planned Australian arrangements, and positive immigration history demonstrating compliance with previous visa conditions.
Age Considerations: Applicants under 18 years at application time may be refused if the Department determines visa grant is not in their best interests. Adult guardians generally receive priority consideration for caregiving roles.
3 Family Inclusion and Application Process
Young Children Restrictions: The visa is generally unavailable to applicants with family members under six years old. Rare exceptions require compelling reasons demonstrating significant benefits to Australia's international relationships. Children under six cannot be included in applications under any circumstances.
School-Age Children: Children aged six years and older may accompany guardians on separate student visas. Alternatively, suitable arrangements must be made for children not accompanying you, including placement with relatives aged 21 or older, different custodians, or other parents.
Application Timing: Lodge applications through ImmiAccount at least six weeks before the student's course commencement. Complete health examinations and gather all required documentation before application submission to avoid processing delays.
Required Documentation: Applications require identity verification documents, character evidence, student guardian relationship proof, adequate health insurance confirmation, genuine temporary entrant statements, and financial capacity documentation supporting yourself, accompanying family members, and student visa holders.
4 Processing Times and Costs
Processing Benchmarks: Australian authorities aim to finalize 25% of applications within 23 days, 50% within 46 days, 75% within three months, and 90% within five months. These timeframes represent general benchmarks; incomplete applications or complex circumstances may extend processing periods.
Application Fees: Main applicants pay AUD $1,600 or higher for visa applications. Additional fees apply for each accompanying relative applying simultaneously. Extra costs include police certificates, biometric collection, and health assessment fees beyond base application charges.
Health Insurance: Maintain appropriate health insurance coverage for visa duration if approved. Consult migration agents regarding adequate health insurance meeting subclass 590 requirements and Australian standards.
Health and Character: Satisfy all health and character requirements specified by the Department. Sign statements agreeing to comply with Australian laws and lifestyle. Ensure no outstanding debts owed to the Australian government and no previous visa cancellations or application refusals while in Australia.
Your Success Partner
AI Global provides comprehensive support for Student Guardian visa subclass 590 applicants, assisting with eligibility assessment, documentation preparation, health insurance arrangement, and application lodgement. Our experienced counselors guide you through relationship verification, financial evidence compilation, and genuine temporary entrant statement development, maximizing your prospects for successful visa approval.
Contact us today to explore your options for the Student Guardian visa subclass 590 and begin supporting your family member's educational journey in Australia.