Subclass 590
Student Guardian visa
For a parent, custodian or relative who comes to Australia to care for a Student visa holder who is under 18, or older in exceptional circumstances.
Overview
With this visa you can
- Live in Australia to provide care and support for the student
Requirements
The official page lists these main requirements. Each stream adds its own.
- Be the student's parent, custodian or a relative aged 21 or older
- Have enough money to support yourself and the student
- Have adequate health insurance
- Provide accommodation, welfare and other support
Documents & forms
The official page lists the documents to provide with an application. Open the documents list on Home Affairs.
Forms often used with this visa
- Form 157n: Student Guardianship Arrangements — Student guardianship arrangements for a student under 18.
- Form 1229: Consent to Grant an Australian Visa to a Child Under the Age of 18 Years — Consent to grant a visa to a child under 18 where a non-migrating parent must consent.
- Form 956: Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person — If you appoint a registered migration agent or legal practitioner.
- Form 1022: Notification of Changes in Circumstances — To notify a change in circumstances after lodgement.
- Form 1023: Notification of Incorrect Answer(s) — To correct an incorrect answer after lodgement.
The official page lists the documents each application requires.
Preparation checklist: a printable list of common steps and documents, each linked to its official source.
Published processing times and charges
Official processing times
Home Affairs publishes how long it took to decide past applications: the time within which 25, 50, 75 and 90 per cent were decided. Each stream keeps its own reporting period.
YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs processing times on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. The source reports 12 October 2026 for this version; this is separate from our check date. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry.
| 25% of applications | 50% | 75% | 90% | Reporting period ended | Source published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 days | 43 days | 5 months | 8 months | 31 August 2026 | 29 September 2026 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, CC BY 3.0 Australia with source-specific exclusions). Past decisions only; not a prediction for any application. Current official processing times ↗
Processing times for this visa, by stream, with the reporting period.
Visa application charge
| Application | Main applicant | Each additional applicant 18 or over | Each additional applicant under 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
All applicationsOfficial conditions and notesNote A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid Student Guardian visa application. For more information, visit About this visa . To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator . The estimator does not take into account the other costs. The base application charge is not payable if you are applying for a new Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) because of an education provider default . If you are in Australia when you lodge your application the subsequent temporary application charge (STAC) may be payable. You may not have to pay this charge if you currently hold or recently held a visa granted because of an education provider default . In your application you can include your child who has not turned 6. They must meet the criteria of compelling and compassionate circumstances to be eligible for the visa. For more information, see Documents for dependants under 6 . get_app Go to visa page | $2,500 | — | $500 |
YourVisaSite compares this list with the Home Affairs price list on a regular schedule. Our copy last changed on 21 October 2026. A successful check does not independently verify every underlying fact. The official source remains the authority; open it before you rely on an entry. Other costs, such as health checks or a second instalment, may apply, and government charges are separate from any professional fee. Current official pricing ↗
Updates & sources
Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. This summary was written from the official page on 20 October 2026.
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This page is general information written from the official page. It does not assess anyone’s eligibility, is not migration advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer or registered migration agent. The official page is always the current source. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.
Registered practitioners
Find a practitioner for Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
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Registered migration agents and lawyers appear here once they have chosen to be listed for this visa. For requirements and how to apply, the official page is the place to start.