Australia – Studying and training visas – Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is a temporary visa designed for people who are 18 years of age or older and proposed to provide care and support for a student under the age of 18 who holds a student visa in Australia. This visa is for individuals who intend to accompany a student to help ensure the student’s welfare and wellbeing while they’re in Australia.

What are the Eligibility Requirements?

The applicant must fulfill the following eligibility criteria for a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590):

  • The Applicant must be 18 years or over.
  • The Applicant must be a genuine visitor and willing to abide by the condition of their visa.
  • The Applicant must be of good character and have no criminal convictions.
  • The Applicant must be related to, or have a clear association with, the student.
  • The Applicant must be able to provide evidence of accommodation and funds to support the student.
  • The Applicant must have adequate health insurance cover for themselves and the student.
  • The Applicant must be able to communicate in English.
  • The Applicant must be willing to assume responsibility for the student as if they were the student’s parent or guardian.
  • The Applicant must provide a commitment by a person in Australia to provide financial support for the Student Guardian visa Applicant’s stay in Australia.

What are the Benefits of the Subclass 590 Visa?

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) allows the Applicant to:

  • Work in Australia while the student is in the country.
  • Study in Australia for up to 3 months.
  • Travel within and outside of Australia.
  • Leave and re-enter Australia as frequently as desired while the visa is valid.
  • Engage in related activities such as housework and community services for the student.
  • Support and protect the student for their wellbeing while in Australia.

What is the Criteria for the Student’s Applicant?

The student applicant must have:

  • Satisfied all relevant health and character requirements.
  • Satisfied the financial requirements for the student visa.
  • Enrolled in a full-time, accredited course of study in Australia.
  • No dependants travelling with them to Australia other than the Student Guardian visa applicant.

What is the Process of Applying for Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)?

To be granted the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590), the Applicant must lodge a valid visa application to the Department of Home Affairs. The Applicant will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility, as well as those of the student.

The student’s visa application must then be approved prior to the Student Guardian visa application being processed. Once the student visa has been approved, the Applicant must demonstrate that they meet all the criteria for the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) and have all the required documents and evidence.

What Documents and Information are Needed to Apply for a Student Guardian Visa?

The Applicant will need the following documents and information for the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590):

  • A valid passport.
  • Proof of aged eighteen years or over.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to support the student’s stay in Australia.
  • Proof of adequate health insurance cover.
  • Proof of relationship with student.
  • Proof that the student has met all the requirements for their student visa.

What is the Duration of the Student Guardian Visa?

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is generally valid for the same duration as the student’s student visa. However, in some circumstances, the duration of the Student Guardian visa may be up to five years.

What are the Conditions of the Student Guardian Visa?

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) comes with a number of conditions. The Applicant must abide by these conditions while in Australia and failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of the visa. The conditions are as follows:

  • The Applicant must take full responsibility for the student.
  • The Applicant must take all reasonable measures to ensure the student meets their visa conditions.
  • The Applicant must ensure that the student attends school in Australia, if the student is required to do so.
  • The Applicant must ensure that the student does not engage in any unlawful activity in Australia.
  • The Applicant must not work more than 40 hours per fortnight unless they have approval from the Department of Home Affairs.
  • The Applicant must not accept any form of public assistance in the form of financial support from the Australian Government.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q1:What is a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)?

A1:The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is a temporary visa designed for people who are 18 years of age or older and proposed to provide care and support for a student under the age of 18 who holds a student visa in Australia.

Q2: What are the eligibility requirements for Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)?

A2:The Applicant must be 18 years or over, must be a genuine visitor and willing to abide by the condition of their visa, must be of good character and have no criminal convictions, must be related to, or have a clear association with, the student, must be able to provide evidence of accommodation and funds to support the student, must have adequate health insurance cover for themselves and the student, must be able to communicate in English, must be willing to assume responsibility for the student as if they were the student’s parent or guardian, and must provide a commitment by a person in Australia to provide financial support for the Student Guardian visa Applicant’s stay in Australia.

Q3: What are the benefits of Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)?

A3:The benefits of the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) are that the Applicant can work in Australia while the student is in the country, can study in Australia for up to three months, can travel within and outside of Australia, can leave and re-enter Australia as frequently as desired while the visa is valid, can engage in related activities such as housework and community services for the student, and can to support and protect the student for their wellbeing while in Australia.

Conclusion

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is a temporary visa designed for people who are 18 years of age or older and proposed to provide care and support for a student under the age of 18 who holds a student visa in Australia. This visa allows the Applicant to work, study, travel and provide care and support for the student.

Applying for Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is a two-step process, and the Applicant must meet the eligibility criteria for both the student visa and the Student Guardian visa. The Applicant must also provide evidence and/or documents to support their application.

Once approved, the Student Guardian visa is generally valid for the same duration as the student’s student visa. The Applicant must abide by the conditions of the Student Guardian visa while in Australia or risk having it cancelled.