Student Guardian (Subclass 590)Verified 2026-04-19Australia Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is for an Indian parent, legal custodian, or eligible relative aged 21 or older who needs to accompany and care for a student visa holder under the age of 18 studying in Australia. The length of stay matches the student's visa or until the student turns 18. Guardians CANNOT work, but can study limited English (ELICOS) or short courses. Applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount.
Processing
Variable — use the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool
Stay Duration
Tied to the student's visa length — usually until the student turns 18, or the student's course ends
Starting Fee
AUD 2,000
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Australia visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1All Indian applicants MUST apply online via ImmiAccount — there is no paper form, no VFS lodgement. VFS Global is only the biometrics collection agent in India.
- 2Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay. Renew BEFORE applying if expiry is within 6 months.
- 3Australia does NOT place a visa sticker in your passport. Your visa is digitally linked to your passport — verify via VEVO after grant.
- 4You must be OUTSIDE Australia when you apply AND when the visa is decided (for most visitor and temporary visas).
- 5Be a 'genuine visitor' — you must intend to return to your home country. Australia's Department of Home Affairs scrutinises this closely for Indian applicants.
- 6Health requirement: you may need a medical examination (chest X-ray, general health check) at a Bupa Medical Visa Services panel physician. Bupa is the only authorised provider in India.
- 7Character requirement: police clearance certificate (PCC) from the passport office may be required if you've spent 12+ months in any country in the last 10 years.
- 8'No Further Stay' condition 8503 is commonly attached to visitor visas — if attached, you cannot apply for another visa while in Australia. Check your grant letter carefully.
- 9Visitor visa holders: be aware of recent laws restricting 'visa hopping' to the Student visa program — you generally cannot switch to Student visa while in Australia on a Visitor visa.
- 10Condition 8101 — you MUST NOT work in Australia on this visa. Any paid employment breaches the condition.
- 11Condition 8538 — you must NOT leave Australia without the student unless alternative welfare arrangements are in place.
- 12You may be subject to condition 8534 — you cannot apply for most other visas while in Australia.
Who Can Apply
- Indian parents, custodians, or close relatives aged 21+ wishing to care for a child on a Student visa (subclass 500) who is under 18
- Guardians with sufficient funds to support themselves + the student during the entire stay
- Applicants with adequate health insurance (OVHC — Overseas Visitor Health Cover)
- In exceptional circumstances — a guardian for a student aged 18+ (e.g., medical, cultural, religious grounds)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Applicants under 21
- Anyone without a confirmed relationship to the student and demonstrated capacity to provide care
- Those who cannot show sufficient funds or adequate health insurance
- Those applying to work — Student Guardian visa prohibits paid employment
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) | AUD 2,000 |
| Family member charge (if applicable) | AUD 1,500 (approx.) |
| OVHC — Overseas Visitor Health Cover | ₹35,000+/year |
| Biometrics | ₹1,850 |
| Health examination (Bupa) | ₹4,500–6,000 |
The Student Guardian visa costs AUD 2,000 for the main applicant. You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself AND the student for the entire stay — typically AUD 22,000+ per year plus accommodation costs. OVHC (health insurance), biometrics, and Bupa health check are additional. A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens — Indian applicants pay the full rate. Non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Documents Required
Relationship to Student
- !Student visa holder's passport + visa grant letter
- !Proof of relationship (birth certificate / legal custody documents)
For parents: student's birth certificate listing you. For custodians: formal custody order. For other relatives: family tree + legal appointment as guardian.
- !Letter from education provider (CAAW or welfare confirmation)
The Australian education provider confirms the student's need for a guardian and acknowledges your role.
Financial Evidence
- !Bank statements (last 6–12 months, stamped)
Showing funds to support yourself + student. Guideline: AUD 22,000+ per year living costs + accommodation.
- !Income Tax Returns (3 years)
- !Employment letter / business registration
Source of ongoing income during guardian period.
- ○Sponsor affidavit (if relying on a third party)
- ○Property / asset documents
Strengthens case for sufficient funds.
Accommodation
- !Accommodation plan in Australia
Rented apartment, homestay, or purchased property — must be suitable for the student. Address + rental agreement / booking / title required.
Health Insurance (OVHC)
- !Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
Covers the entire stay. Buy from Bupa, Medibank, Allianz Care, nib, ahm before visa lodgement.
Core Personal Documents
- !Valid passport
- !Passport-style photograph
- !Your birth certificate
- ○Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Welfare for Dependants Overseas
- ○Welfare arrangements for children left in India
If you're leaving other children under 18 behind in India, provide a notarised welfare plan identifying the adult who will care for them during your absence.
Health & Character
- !Health examination at Bupa
Chest X-ray + medical.
- ○Police clearance certificate
If requested.
- !Biometrics at VFS Global India
- !Australian Values Statement
Signed in ImmiAccount.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Apply WITH the student wherever possible
The Department strongly prefers that the Student Guardian application is lodged at the same time as the student's Student visa (subclass 500) application. This streamlines processing.
Gather relationship + welfare confirmation
Obtain the education provider's written confirmation that the student needs a guardian and that you are approved as the guardian (sometimes via a CAAW letter equivalent).
Purchase OVHC
Buy Overseas Visitor Health Cover covering the entire guardian period. Bupa, Medibank, Allianz, nib, ahm are the main providers.
Create an ImmiAccount
Visit online.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Select Student Guardian (subclass 590)
Complete the online form — ~80 questions. Save progress as you go.
Upload documents + pay AUD 2,000 VAC
Upload relationship proof, funds evidence, accommodation plan, welfare letters, OVHC certificate, passport, photo.
Complete Bupa health exam + VFS biometrics
Both are mandatory for stays over 6 months.
Respond to any requests for information
Check ImmiAccount regularly.
Visa decision — digital grant
Digital visa linked to your passport. Verify via VEVO.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
ImmiAccount — Online Application Portal
Australia's official online visa application portal. ALL Australian visas for Indian applicants must be lodged here — no paper forms, no VFS lodgement. Create your ImmiAccount, select the visa subclass, pay online, and upload documents.
Department of Home Affairs — Official Website
Authoritative source for all Australian visa information. Includes Visa Finder tool, Visa Pricing Estimator, Visa Processing Time Guide, and health requirement details.
Visa Finder Tool
If you're unsure which visa is right for you — answer a few questions and the tool recommends matching visa subclasses.
VEVO — Visa Entitlement Verification Online
After visa grant, use VEVO to check your visa conditions, stay period, and entry rights. Australia grants digital visas only — no sticker in passport.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Lodge at the SAME TIME as the student's visa application — the Department expects this and processing is faster.
- You CANNOT work in Australia on a Student Guardian visa. You can study ELICOS (English) for up to 20 hrs/week, or any other study/training for up to 3 months.
- You cannot leave Australia without the student unless you've arranged 'alternative welfare arrangements' approved by the Department — breaching this can lead to visa cancellation (condition 8538).
- If you have OTHER children under 18 staying behind in India, you must provide a notarised welfare plan for them — showing who will care for them while you're in Australia.
- Children under 6 cannot be included as dependants on your application except in very narrow exceptional/compassionate circumstances — if a child under 6 turns 6 during the stay, they must apply for their own Student visa.
- Provide clear evidence of suitable accommodation — the Department wants to see that the student's living arrangements are genuine and safe.
- Documents to upload: passport bio-page, photo, ITR (2-3 years), bank statements (6 months), employment letter with leave approval, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, invitation letter (if applicable), previous visa/travel history.
- The Department can make decisions WITHOUT requesting further information — submit the most complete application first time. Use Form 956/956A if someone else is helping you apply.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Insufficient funds — unable to prove you can support yourself + the student for the full stay
- 2.Weak relationship evidence or unclear custody/guardian appointment
- 3.No confirmation from the education provider that the student needs a guardian
- 4.Inadequate welfare arrangements for other children left behind in India
- 5.OVHC not purchased for the full stay
- 6.Genuine Temporary Entrant concerns — Department believes you'll overstay
- 7.Accommodation plan unclear or unsuitable
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as a 'guardian' for this visa?+
Can I work on a Student Guardian visa?+
Can I bring my other children with me?+
What happens when the student turns 18?+
How much money do I need to show?+
Can I extend the Student Guardian visa?+
Can I leave Australia to visit India during the guardian period?+
Let us prepare your Australia Student Guardian Visa — (Subclass 590) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Australia Visa Types
Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600 — Tourist Stream)
Australian visitor visa for Indian citizens travelling to Australia for tourism, sightseeing, or visiting friends and relatives. Typically 3, 6 or 12 months stay.
Australia Business Visa (Subclass 600 — Business Visitor Stream)
Australian business visitor visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits. Paid employment is NOT permitted.
Australia Sponsored Family Visa (Subclass 600 — Sponsored Family Stream)
Australian visitor visa for Indian citizens visiting close relatives who are Australian citizens/PR holders and who sponsor the application. An Assurance of Support may be required.
Australia Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) — Informational
The ETA (subclass 601) is Australia's quick online visa for tourism/business visits, but it is NOT available to Indian passport holders. Indian citizens must apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
Australia eVisitor (Subclass 651) — Informational
eVisitor (subclass 651) is a free online visa for short visits to Australia, but it is exclusively for European passport holders. Indian citizens are NOT eligible — apply for subclass 600 instead.
Australia Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) — Informational
Informational guide. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) allows young Indians aged 18–30 to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, but India has a ballot-based quota. SureshotVisa does not process work visas.
Australia Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) — Informational
Informational guide. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is NOT available to Indian passport holders. Indian citizens should refer to the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) via the annual ballot.
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
The Student visa (subclass 500) allows Indian students to live in Australia and undertake a full-time eligible course of study — school, VET, undergraduate, postgraduate, or research — for up to 6 years.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Australia website and Embassy of Australia. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.