What is a Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa?
The Student Guardian visa is designed for individuals providing care and support to Student visa holders in Australia who are under 18 years of age, or for those over 18 where exceptional circumstances apply.
Student Guardian visa holders are not permitted to work in Australia.
Requirements for a 590 Visa
To be a Student Guardian, applicants must be the student’s parent, authorised custodian, or relative aged 21 years or older with permission from the parent or custodian.
Relative includes:
- parent or step-parent
- grandparent or step-grandparent
- sibling or stepsibling
- aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- niece, nephew or step-niece or step-nephew
- partner or
- child or stepchild.
They must also demonstrate:
- Ability to provide accommodation, general welfare and support to the student
- Sufficient funds to support themselves and the student
- Adequate health insurance
- They are a genuine temporary entrant
Applicants in Australia must hold a valid visa which is not a Visitor visa, Graduate visa, or Maritime crew visa. A full list of ineligible visas is available here.
Other Family Members
Student Guardian applicants must make adequate arrangements for the accommodation, support and welfare of any non-migrating children who:
- are under 18 years of age, and
- are not travelling to Australia, and
- do not have a Student visa.
Applicants with children under the age of 6 will generally not be granted a Student Guardian visa unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Children over the age of 6 would need their own Student visa to travel with the Guardian.
How much does a 590 visa application cost?
As of 1 July 2025, the government application fees are as follows:
Visa Application – Main Applicant – $2,000
Visa Application – Dependent Applicant under 18yrs of age (each) – $400
Subsequent Temporary Application Charge (STAC) – in certain circumstances only – $700
Note a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid Student or Student Guardian visa application.
How long does a 590 take to process?
As of 29 July 2025, Immigration advises the current processing times are as follows:
| Application Type | 50% processed within | 90% processed within |
| 590 Visa | 39 days | 6 months |
Why Choose AVIE for Immigration Services?
Personalized Guidance – Every migration journey is unique, and we provide tailored advice to match your circumstances and goals.
Expert Problem-Solving – Our team has extensive experience handling complex visa situations and finding tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Dedicated Support – We intentionally cap our agents’ caseloads to ensure you receive the time, care, and dedication you deserve. You’re never just a number with us.
Avoid Mistakes – Avoid costly delays and reapplications—our expertise ensures visa applications are done right the first time.
Stress-Free Process – We handle the complexities of visa applications, so you can focus on planning your new life in Australia.
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