Student Guardian (Class TU) Subclass 590 Visa
The Subclass 590 Visa allows a parent, custodian, or relative of an international student to travel to Australia to provide care and support. This visa is applicable for individuals who are either under 18 years of age or over 18 with exceptional circumstances necessitating their care, and who have applied for or been granted an Australian student visa.
Work Rights for Student Guardian Visa Holders
Holders of the Student Guardian Visa do not possess work rights while in Australia.
Inclusion of Family Members
Applicants may include their spouse or partner and children in the visa application. However, if any family member is under the age of six, the visa cannot be granted unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons, or it significantly benefits the relationship between the Australian Government and another country’s government. The accompanying child must meet the same health requirements as the applicant and maintain health insurance for the duration of their stay in Australia. Note that children under six years of age cannot be added to the application after submission. Children aged six or older must apply for their own student visa if accompanying the applicant.
Visa Extension
The Student Guardian Visa can be extended, with the duration determined by the length of stay of the student visa holder and their age.
Application Fees for Subclass 590 Visa
- Base Application Charge: AUD 1,600
- Additional Applicant Charge (18 years and older): AUD 1,190
- Additional Applicant Charge (under 18 years): AUD 390
Estimated Processing Times
- Standard Stream:
- 25% of applications: 42 days
- 50% of applications: 68 days
- 75% of applications: 3 months
- 90% of applications: 5 months
Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 590 Visa
To qualify for the Subclass 590 Visa, applicants must:
- Be a parent, custodian, or relative of the student visa holder, with custody of the student, and provide accommodation, general welfare, and support to a student under 18 years of age or a student aged 18 or older requiring exceptional care and support.
Definition of a Relative
A relative includes the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, step-aunt, step-uncle, niece, nephew, step-niece, step-nephew, partner, child, or stepchild.
Location of Application Submission
Applicants can be located either within or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance. If applying from within Australia, the applicant must not hold any of the following visas:
- Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (Domestic Worker stream only)
- Subclass 995 Diplomatic visa (Primary visa holder only)
- Subclass 771 Transit visa
- Subclass 600 Visitor visa (Sponsored Family stream or Approved Destination Status stream)
If the applicant does not hold a substantive visa, they must have held a Student visa, Special Purpose visa, or Subclass 995 Diplomatic visa as a member of a family unit and must apply within 28 days of the expiration of their last substantive visa or if a tribunal has set aside the cancellation or the Minister has decided not to revoke the cancellation.
Health Insurance Requirement
Applicants must maintain adequate health insurance coverage while holding this visa in Australia. This insurance should encompass all hospital costs, including transport in case it is required.
Financial Requirements
For the Subclass 590 Visa, applicants must demonstrate they have:
- AUD 21,041 for living expenses
- AUD 7,362 for a spouse (if included in the application)
- AUD 3,152 for each dependent (if included in the application)
- AUD 8,296 for each school-aged dependent.
Other Requirements
Applicants must meet Australia’s health, character, and Australian values requirements and must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
Subclass 590 Visa Application Checklist
For All Applicants:
- Identity documents (e.g., passport, birth certificate, proof of name change).
- Proof of marital status (if applicable) such as marriage certificates, divorce documents, or death certificates.
- Overseas police certificates from every country where the applicant has spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16, as well as military service records if applicable.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Overseas Student Health Cover documentation.
- Medical examinations.
For the Primary Applicant:
7. Completed Form 157N – Student Guardianship Arrangements.
8. Genuine Temporary Entrant document.
9. For dependents aged six or younger applying with you, provide evidence of compelling and compassionate circumstances or written support from your home country’s government or the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
10. Obtain consent for any applicant under 18 years of age from anyone with a legal right to determine the child’s residence who is not accompanying the child to Australia.
11. Complete either Form 1229 (Consent Form for a Child Under 18) or a statutory declaration granting consent for the child’s visit to Australia on this visa.
Financial Evidence for the Applicant
12. The applicant or their sponsor must provide financial evidence of:
- AUD 21,041 for living expenses
- AUD 7,362 for a spouse (if included in the application)
- AUD 3,152 for each dependent (if included in the application)
- AUD 8,296 for each school-aged dependent
- Alternatively, evidence that the primary applicant’s parent, spouse, or de facto partner has an annual personal income of at least AUD 72,592.
All submitted documents must be color PDF files. Where documents are not in English, an authorized translated version must be provided.
Disclaimer: Aussie Migration Services Pty Ltd and its associates are independent consultants and are not affiliated with the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). The information provided is for general guidance and does not constitute personal migration advice. For tailored advice, please contact our immigration consultants.