A nominated guardian is one option for an under-18 student
Home Affairs requires an under-18 Student 500 applicant to provide parent or legal-guardian consent and suitable welfare arrangements. The student may use an education provider's Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), nominate a guardian on Form 157N, or use an official special-category arrangement where it applies. A child does not need a parent to obtain 590 merely because the parent exists; first establish which welfare option the Student application uses.
A nominated guardian may already be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible temporary resident for the required period. If they need a new visa to care for the student, check subclass 590. Home Affairs says a 590 holder can care for more than one Student visa holder; complete the official nomination separately for each child.
Home Affairs under-18 welfare options · Official Form 157N · Student 500 under-18 preparation →
Check where the Guardian must apply and receive the visa
Home Affairs now requires most affected temporary visa holders to be outside Australia when lodging a Student Guardian 590 application and when it is granted. A current Guardian 590 holder can continue to apply for a further Guardian visa while in Australia. Check the student's separate Student 500 rules before enrolling or paying.
Check relationship, age and care ability
Under Home Affairs' 590 rules, the guardian must be the student's parent, a person with custody, or a nominated relative who is at least 21. The official visa page defines which relatives qualify. A nomination alone is insufficient: the person must be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and support, show funds for the stay and meet other visa requirements. If a relative other than a parent or legal custodian is nominated, check the additional identity, relationship and police-certificate evidence on the current welfare page.
Home Affairs has special restrictions involving family members under six, including children who are not travelling. A family bringing younger siblings should read that entire rule before making a plan; do not assume the younger child can be included on the guardian visa. Children six or older who travel may need their own Student visa.
Student Guardian 590 eligibility · Guardian nomination and evidence
Match Form 157N, Student 500 and Guardian 590
For the child, check Form 1229 consent or valid sole-custody evidence, the Student 500 course and CoE, and the chosen welfare arrangement. If the guardian applies for 590, Home Affairs says to lodge the Student and Guardian applications at the same time. Its 590 application guidance says a completed Form 157N is needed for a valid guardian application; the student also attaches the nomination for the welfare arrangement. Use the current official form and online prompts, not a sample letter in place of it.
The guardian's application has its own identity, temporary-stay, financial, health-cover and, where requested, character evidence. Home Affairs asks for funds to support the guardian, student and any accompanying family, plus course, travel and child schooling costs as relevant. Verify the current figures and documents on the live 590 page rather than copying the Student 500 finance calculation. It also asks the guardian to explain the temporary nature of the stay; this is separate from the student's Genuine Student questions.
590 step-by-step documents · Student 500 application · Download official Form 157N
Do not copy the student's OSHC policy rule
Student 500 usually needs paid OSHC for the student and Student visa family members. A 590 guardian has a separate adequate health insurance requirement. Home Affairs says guardian evidence for the first 12 months may be Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) or another suitable product, and cover must be maintained for the stay. Check the insurer's actual benefits and dates for the guardian and any accompanying family; a child's OSHC policy should not be assumed to cover a parent on 590.
Guardian health cover rule · Student OSHC dates and evidence →
Guardian 590 is for care, not employment
Home Affairs says the 590 visa does not permit work. It allows limited study: an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students for less than 20 hours a week, or another course or training for no more than three months. Read the written grant and VEVO for the conditions actually attached to the guardian's visa before accepting a job or course.
The guardian cannot travel out of Australia without the student unless alternative welfare arrangements have been made and approved as required. Home Affairs lists what to provide before the guardian leaves, including a replacement nomination or provider arrangement where applicable. The student must not arrive before approved welfare starts, and the arrangements must be maintained until they turn 18. If the welfare situation changes, use the official change process rather than relying on a private agreement alone.
Guardian visa conditions and travel · Change of under-18 welfare arrangements · Check an in-effect visa in VEVO
Prepare replacement welfare before a guardian leaves
For an under-18 student staying in Australia while their guardian travels, Home Affairs requires a compelling or compassionate travel explanation and suitable alternative care for accommodation, general welfare and support. A family agreement or a booked flight does not replace the required approval.
- Agree the proposed care with the education provider. Its CAAW can cover the alternative period, or a suitable replacement guardian can be nominated. Record the full period until the original guardian returns, and clarify any gap with the provider.
- Prepare the records for the chosen arrangement. The current request form lists Form 157N, parent/legal-custodian signature identification, school endorsement and a travel-reason statement where applicable. It separately lists a provider CAAW with start/end dates or a new guardian's relationship, passport, residence and applicable police evidence. Read the actual form for your option rather than substituting a private letter for a nomination.
- Submit through the official welfare-request form. Keep a copy and receipt privately. Home Affairs says it will tell the student or guardian if alternative arrangements are approved when the guardian holds 590. Check that approval before departure; submitting a request is not approval.
The official form asks for the guardian and student details, the reason, proposed travel date where applicable and supporting attachments. At this review it displays a 10 MB upload maximum and PDF, JPEG/JPG and PNG formats. Follow the current control's instructions; these are this form's limits, not a general ImmiAccount upload rule. Send the completed request and documents only to Home Affairs.
If the dates or nominated person change, revisit the provider and official approval process before relying on the earlier arrangement. The private Guardian planner below now has space for dates, evidence, submission receipt and written approval.
Home Affairs: select change of welfare arrangements · Official alternative-welfare request form · Full welfare and replacement-guardian evidence rules
Check the guardian's own status
Can a temporary visa holder apply for 590 inside Australia?
From 2 October 2026, most affected temporary visa holders must lodge a Guardian 590 application outside Australia and be outside Australia at grant. Current 590 holders can continue to lodge a further Guardian application inside Australia. Check the full affected-visa list, the student's separate 500 location rule, and your own current grant before making a plan.
Can the guardian leave Australia for a short trip?
Not while leaving the student without approved alternative welfare. Check the current change process and obtain the required approval before departure.
590 application location and conditions · Alternative welfare process
Three checks that prevent avoidable gaps
- Confirm which child welfare path applies and whether a guardian must apply for 590 or already has a suitable Australian status.
- Match the student's Form 157N, consent and approved welfare dates with both online applications; a child arriving early cannot rely on welfare that starts later.
- Check separate Student OSHC and guardian health cover, adequate funds, the guardian's no-work rule and any accompanying or non-migrating children's welfare.
If a family has a custody dispute, a near-expiring visa or complex child arrangements, use the official register to check a migration agent or seek an Australian legal practitioner for case-specific assistance.
Keep the student and guardian records aligned
Save the questions about consent, Form 157N, dates, cover and travel on your own device. No child identity or health record is uploaded to us, and no email is required.
Get source-checked guide changes
Join for occasional changes to our Student and guardian preparation guides. The worksheet and current guidance are free without joining.