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If your child plans to pursue their education in Australia, and you’re thinking of accompanying them there for their welfare and support, a student guardian visa for Australia can help you achieve that. This blog will explain what the student subclass 590 visa is, who can apply for it, how to apply for it, and the benefits and conditions of this visa. Let’s get started!
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What is a Subclass 590 Visa and What Does it Do?
A Subclass 590 visa is a temporary visa that allows you to stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student who holds a valid student visa (subclass 500). The purpose of this visa is to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student while they are studying in Australia. You can also study or work part-time on this visa under certain conditions.
This visa is meant for parents, legal custodians or relatives of international students who are under 18 years of age or older in exceptional circumstances. You must be nominated by the student or their education provider as their guardian.
Subclass 580 Visa Vs. Subclass 590 Visa
Since the subclass 580 visa was replaced by the subclass 590 visa on 1 July 2016, you can no longer apply for the former. While both visas allow you to stay in Australia as the guardian of an international student, there are some areas where the new visa is an improvement over the old one, such as:
- Subclass 580 visa did not allow you to study or work in Australia, while subclass 590 visa allows you to study an English language course (ELICOS) for up to 20 hours per week or another course (not ELICOS) for up to 3 months
- You can also work part-time (up to 40 hours per fortnight) if you have permission from the Department of Home Affairs and if it does not interfere with your guardianship duties
For more information about the student guardian visa for Australia, you can visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs.
Know About Working Visa Australia Cost: Types of Work Permits and Visa Requirements
Who Can Apply for a Subclass 590 Visa?
To be eligible for this student guardian visa for Australia, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be the parent, legal custodian or relative of the student who has nominated you as their guardian
- You must be at least 21 years of age
- You must have enough funds to support yourself and the student during your stay in Australia
- You must have adequate health insurance for yourself and the student
- You must meet the health and character requirements
- You must be a genuine temporary entrant, which means you intend to stay in Australia temporarily and comply with the visa conditions
Application Process
To apply for a student guardian visa for Australia, you need to follow these steps:
- Prepare your documents, such as your passport, identity documents, proof of relationship with the student, proof of funds, health insurance, police clearance certificates, etc
- Fill out the application form (Form 157G) and pay the application fee ($620 AUD)
- Submit your application online or by post or in person to the nearest Australian visa office or embassy
- Wait for the decision on your application, which may take up to 4 months or longer depending on your circumstances
- If your application is approved, you will receive a visa grant letter with your visa details and conditions
Documents Required
To apply for a student guardian visa, you need to provide various documents to support your application. These documents include:
| Identity Documents | Copies of your passport, birth certificate, national identity card (Adhaar, PAN, Voter ID), and any other documents as relationship proof with the student.Two recent passport-sized photographs of yourself. |
| Financial Documents | Bank statementsTax returnsEmployment contractsPayslips, etc |
| Health Insurance Documents | Copy of your Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) policy or equivalent |
| Health and Character Documents | Medical examinations, police clearance certificates, and any other relevant documents |
| Nomination Documents | Written consent from the student’s parent or legal custodian,A copy of the student’s visa, A confirmation of enrolment (CoE) from the education provider. |
You can find more information about the documents required and how to apply for this visa on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Check How to Apply for Australia Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Benefits and Conditions
A student guardian visa for Australia has the following benefits and conditions:
- You can stay in Australia for as long as the student’s visa is valid or until they turn 18 years old, whichever comes first
- You can leave and re-enter Australia multiple times during your stay, but you must not leave Australia without the student unless you have made alternative arrangements for their welfare and support
- You can study an English language course (ELICOS) for up to 20 hours per week or another course (not ELICOS) for up to 3 months
- You can work part-time (up to 40 hours per fortnight) if you have permission from the Department of Home Affairs and if it does not interfere with your guardianship duties
- You cannot bring any family members with you on this visa, except under exceptional circumstances
Therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional expert before applying for this visa. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you with your student guardian visa application.
Processing Time
The Subclass 590 visa processing time is as follows:
| Visa | Processing Time (50% of the applications) | Processing Time (90% of applications) |
| Subclass 590 | 52 days | 4 months |
Am I Allowed to Work with an Australian Student Guardian Visa?
You are not permitted to work with an Australian student Guardian visa. However, you can take up English education for less than 20 hours per week. That is if your 1st language is not English. You can also take up another course or training for 3 months.
FAQs
A. It’s a temporary visa that allows the parents/guardians of an international student to stay with them for the duration of their studies in Australia.
A. You cannot work with a Guardian visa in Australia. This visa is for parents, legal guardians or relatives who wish to accompany a student under 18 years old to Australia while they study. This visa does not give you working rights in Australia. However, you can still check your work eligibility via your personal online immigration account.
A. There is no maximum age limit for student visas in Australia. However, if you have taken a break from your studies, you need to justify the education gap with relevant documents.
The validity of an Australian student guardian visa is the same as that of the visa validity of subclass 500. In rare cases, the visa stays valid till the minor turns 18.
We hope you got all the information regarding the student guardian visa for Australia for parents. For more information on visa-related procedures to study abroad, keep following Leverage Edu.
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