How this Visa Works

Nominating a student guardian

The student's parent or legal custodian must nominate you as the student's guardian. If you are the student's parent or legal custodian, you can nominate yourself as the student's guardian.

You can lodge your application for a student guardian visa at the same time that the student lodges their student visa application, or after the student arrives in Australia.

Understanding assessment levels

The assessment level of the student who nominates you as their guardian affects your eligibility for this visa. It affects:

• the amount, type and source of funds you must show
  See: Student Guardians
• whether you can bring a dependent child under six years of age with you to Australia
  See: Family Member Eligibility
• where you can lodge and how long your application will take to process.
  See: How To Apply

A student's assessment level is determined by the passport they hold and their course of study. Their assessment level will be the one in place at the time they lodge their student visa application. More information about assessment levels is available.
See: Student Visa Assessment Levels

Length of stay

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for the same length of time as the student for whom you will be the guardian. If the student is less than 18 years of age, your visa will usually be granted until the student turns 18 years.

This visa permits multiple entries to Australia.

Definitions

These definitions will help you understand the information on these pages.

A Relative

A relative is any one of the following:

• partner (spouse or de facto partner, including same-sex de facto partners)
• parent or step-parent
• brother or stepbrother
• sister or stepsister
• grandparent or step-grandparent
• grandchild or step-grandchild
• aunt or step-aunt
• uncle or step-uncle
• niece or step-niece
• nephew or step-nephew.

Working

The definition of 'work' is anything that would normally attract remuneration, and this includes volunteer work.

You may be able to work as a volunteer whilst on a Student Guardian visa if:

• your main purpose is to reside in Australia primarily for the care and support of the student and any voluntary work remains incidental to this
• the work involved would not otherwise be undertaken by an Australian resident
• the work is genuinely voluntary for a non profit organisation and that no remuneration is received in return for the activities.

Note: It is acceptable for out-of-pocket expenses to be reimbursed.