The student
Must be a genuine applicant for or holder of a Subclass 500. Must be under 18 at the time the guardian visa is applied for.
Narrow Visa · Tied to the Student's 500
Sending a child overseas to study is one of the hardest decisions a family makes.
For students under 18, Australian migration law recognises this and allows a parent or legal guardian to accompany them on a Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa. The visa is tied directly to the Subclass 500 Student Visa held by the minor.
Who can apply for a 590
Specific eligibility rules.
The 590 is narrow. Both student and guardian must meet their side of the test.
The guardian
A parent or person with legal custody of the student. OR a relative aged at least 21 with the student's parents' permission. Step-parents qualify if recognised as parent figure.
Financial capacity
The guardian must have enough funds to support themselves, the student, and any accompanying family for the duration of the stay.
Accommodation
The guardian must provide accommodation and welfare acceptable to the Department. Living with the student, not sending the student to boarding school while living separately.
What the guardian can and cannot do
Limited rights. The visa is about the student.
Limited work rightsCan work up to 40 hours per fortnight once the student has been in Australia for more than 12 months. Before 12 months, no work is permitted.
Limited studyCan study short courses (up to 3 months) without needing a separate student visa. Longer study requires a different visa pathway.
Bringing other childrenThe guardian can bring other dependent children under 6. Children aged 6 to 18 are generally not allowed on the 590.
Travel in and outThe 590 is usually granted as a multiple-entry visa for the duration. The guardian can travel in and out as needed.
Common issues
Four failure modes we see regularly.
The 590 is straightforward when it works. When it fails, it usually fails on one of these.
Weak relationship evidence
If the guardian is not the biological parent (for example, an aunt or uncle), the Department will want to see the parents' written consent and evidence of the family relationship.
Accommodation plans that do not work
If the proposed accommodation would require the student to live apart from the guardian, refusal is likely. The 590 is about being physically present with the student.
Financial capacity gaps
The Department calculates how much money is needed. If the declared funds fall short of what is needed to support the guardian, the student, and any accompanying family, refusal is likely.
GTE concerns
The Department will ask whether the guardian genuinely intends to return home when the student turns 18 or finishes study. If the guardian's profile looks like permanent migration rather than temporary guardianship, refusal can follow.
Once the student turns 18, the Subclass 590 ends.
At that point, the guardian needs a different visa to remain in Australia. Many guardians plan their own separate migration pathway (partner visa, skilled migration, employer sponsorship) during the student's visa period, so they are not left without options when the 590 expires.
Common 590 questions
The questions we hear most.
For a 590 consultation, book with Vishal Sharma (education) or Sourabh Aggarwal (migration strategy).
Can both parents come on a Subclass 590?
Generally no. Only one guardian is permitted per student. If both parents want to accompany, the second parent would typically apply for a visitor visa for short stays or a separate long-term pathway.
Can the guardian work full-time?
No. Work is limited to 40 hours per fortnight, and only after the student has been in Australia for more than 12 months. For the first year, no work is allowed.
What happens if the student is refused the 500 visa?
The Subclass 590 cannot be granted without the student's 500 being approved. The 590 is dependent on the student holding a Subclass 500 or being granted one.
Can I extend the 590 if the student needs more study time?
A fresh 590 application can be made if the student's circumstances support it and the student remains under 18. Once the student turns 18, the 590 cannot continue.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.