Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 590 at a Glance
Visa type: Temporary (guardian of a student visa holder). Duration: Matches the student's visa duration (or until the student turns 18). Application cost (2025–26): $710 (main applicant). Processing time: 2–4 months. No work rights (limited exceptions). Limited study rights (up to 3 months, or ELICOS of up to 20 hours per week). Must be a parent, legal custodian, or relative aged 21+ nominated by the parent. Must live with the student in Australia. Must provide for the student and themselves financially. Requires Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment.
What is the Subclass 590 Visa?
The Subclass 590 Student Guardian visa is designed for parents or guardians who need to accompany international students under 18 years of age to Australia. Australian law requires that international students under 18 have approved welfare arrangements — either through the education provider's CAAW (Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare), or through a parent or relative holding a Student Guardian visa. The 590 visa allows a parent, legal custodian, or nominated relative to live in Australia with the student for the duration of their studies (or until the student turns 18). This visa reflects Australia's commitment to the welfare of young international students and gives parents peace of mind that their child is properly cared for while studying in Australia.
Who Can Apply?
The 590 visa is available to the student's parent or legal custodian, or a relative aged 21 or over who is nominated by the student's parent or legal custodian. Eligible relatives include: spouse or de facto partner of a parent, a brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of the student or the student's parent. The guardian must be at least 21 years old, be of good character (no criminal history), and genuinely intend to stay in Australia as the student's guardian. Only one person can hold a 590 visa for each student. If both parents wish to come to Australia, one can apply for the 590 and the other may need a different visa (such as a visitor visa).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the 590 visa, you must be sponsoring a student who holds (or has applied for) a Subclass 500 Student visa and is under 18. You must provide evidence of your relationship to the student (birth certificates, legal custody documents, or nomination letter from the parent). You must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support both yourself and the student in Australia — including living costs, accommodation, and the student's course fees. The Department requires evidence of approximately $25,000–$30,000 per year in available funds (on top of tuition fees). You must have adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or equivalent health insurance. You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria — demonstrating that you genuinely intend to stay temporarily as a guardian, not use the visa for other purposes. You must meet health and character requirements, including medical examinations and police clearances.
Visa Conditions and Restrictions
The 590 visa has strict conditions. No work: Condition 8101 means you cannot work in Australia. A limited exception was introduced allowing 590 holders to work up to 40 hours per fortnight in certain circumstances, but this is not universally applied — check current conditions. Limited study: You can study for up to 3 months in any course, or undertake an English language course (ELICOS) of up to 20 hours per week for the duration of your visa. Must live with the student: You must live with the student and provide their accommodation and welfare. You cannot leave Australia without making alternative approved welfare arrangements for the student. No other dependents: You cannot bring other dependent children to Australia on the 590 unless they are also student visa holders or have their own visa. Must maintain health insurance: Continuous coverage is mandatory. Must notify the Department of any changes in address, living arrangements, or circumstances.
Financial Requirements
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living costs for yourself and the student, plus the student's remaining tuition fees. As a guide, the Department requires evidence of: approximately $25,000 per year for the guardian's living costs, approximately $8,000–$12,000 per year for the student's living costs (above tuition), the remaining balance of tuition fees for the student's course, return airfares for yourself and the student, and OSHC or health insurance for both. Evidence of funds can include: bank statements showing savings, evidence of income (if applicable), scholarship letters, financial support letters from family members with evidence of their financial capacity, or loan approval letters from financial institutions. The funds must be genuinely available — the Department may verify bank statements and financial documents.
The GTE Requirement
Like the student visa, the 590 visa includes a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment. The Department assesses whether you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily as a guardian, or whether you are using the visa for other purposes (such as accessing Australia's labour market or healthcare system). Factors the Department considers include: your circumstances in your home country (employment, property, family ties that would motivate return), your immigration history (previous visas, compliance history, time spent in Australia), the student's circumstances (age, course, education provider), and the overall credibility of your application. To demonstrate genuine temporary intent, show strong ties to your home country — employment you will return to, property, other family members, and a clear plan for what happens when the student finishes their studies or turns 18.
Application Process
Step 1: Ensure the student has applied for or holds a Subclass 500 Student visa. Step 2: Gather documents — relationship evidence, financial capacity evidence, health insurance, passport, police clearances, and GTE statement. Step 3: Apply online through ImmiAccount. Step 4: Pay the $710 application fee. Step 5: Complete medical examinations (the Department will provide instructions after you apply). Step 6: Provide biometrics if requested (applicants from certain countries). Step 7: Wait for processing (2–4 months). Step 8: If granted, travel to Australia with or before the student. Step 9: Ensure your health insurance is active from the date you enter Australia. Apply well in advance of the student's course start date. The student's education provider may need confirmation of the guardian visa before issuing the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment).
Practical Considerations for Guardians
Living in Australia as a student guardian can be rewarding but also challenging. You will be the primary caregiver for a young person in a foreign country, often without work rights or a social network. Join parent communities at the student's school or through local cultural organisations. Many cities have active communities of international student families. Budget carefully — without work rights, you are relying on savings or financial support from family in your home country. Australian living costs can be high, especially for housing in major cities. Consider the length of commitment: if the student is 14, you may be on the 590 for 3–4 years. This is a significant personal and financial commitment. If you need to return to your home country temporarily (for family emergencies, business, etc.), you must arrange alternative approved welfare for the student through the education provider before leaving.
When to Use a Migration Agent
The 590 visa is moderately complex, particularly the financial evidence and GTE components. A migration agent can help ensure your financial evidence is properly prepared, draft a compelling GTE statement, coordinate the timing with the student's visa application, and navigate the relationship evidence requirements (particularly for non-parent guardians). Agent fees for the 590 visa are typically $1,500–$3,000. Many agents handle the student visa and guardian visa applications together as a package. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents specialising in student and guardian visas. Verify any agent's MARA registration at /tools/mara-check.
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