The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) is for a parent or close relative to come to Australia to act as a guardian for a student under 18 on a student visa. It's dependent on the student's visa — if the student's visa is cancelled, the 590 is also cancelled. Getting the documentation right means proving your relationship to the student, the welfare and accommodation arrangements in place, and your financial capacity.
Guardian identity documents
- Passport bio-data page
- Birth certificate
- Change of name document, if applicable
Relationship to the student
You need to establish your relationship to the student clearly, particularly if you're not their biological parent.
- The student's birth certificate
- A legal guardianship order, if you're not the student's biological parent
Student visa evidence
- The student's current Student Visa (Subclass 500) grant letter
- The student's Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Welfare and accommodation
Because the 590 exists specifically to support a student under 18, the Department wants to see that welfare and living arrangements are properly organised — not just that you're related to the student.
- A welfare arrangements letter from the student's education provider
- Evidence of accommodation in Australia
If you have other children who aren't travelling with you to Australia, you also need to show adequate welfare arrangements for them — evidence that another parent or a relative aged 21 or over will care for them, and a letter from that guardian confirming the arrangement and their consent.
Financial capacity
You need to show you can support yourself financially in Australia, since the 590 doesn't generally permit substantial work rights.
- Bank statements covering the last 3 months
- Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) — compulsory, arranged before lodging
Health and character
- Police clearance certificate(s) from your country of citizenship and any country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Health examination, if required for your circumstances
- Form 80 — Personal Particulars
- Form 157N — Request for a change to visa conditions or travel facility, if applicable to your situation
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the welfare arrangements letter from the student's education provider — this is central to the 590, not a formality
- Assuming a specific dollar figure for financial capacity without checking the current requirement
- Forgetting that the 590 is entirely dependent on the student's Subclass 500 visa remaining valid
- Missing Form 80 as part of the character assessment
Frequently asked questions
Can the guardian work in Australia on a 590?
The 590 generally carries limited or no work rights, since its purpose is guardianship rather than employment. Check the specific conditions attached to your visa grant rather than assuming standard work rights apply.
What happens if the student turns 18 while the guardian holds a 590?
The 590 is tied to the student needing a guardian, which is generally assessed against the student's age. Check current Department guidance for how a student turning 18 affects an existing 590 grant, since this can affect the guardian's ongoing eligibility.
The Subclass 590 doesn't allow the holder to enrol in a course of study themselves. If the guardian wishes to study, they'd need to apply separately for a Student Visa (500).