Student Guardian Visa (SC 580)

This visa enables a guardian of an international student studying in Australia under the age of 18 years, to accompany and live with the student during the period of their study in Australia.

Only in very exceptional cases a guardian for a student over 18 years of age may be granted this visa.

There can be only one Student Guardian visa for a student.

Visa Applicants

• Applicants must be a parent or a person who has legal custody of the student, or a relative nominated by the parent or custodian.
• They must be 21 years or above and cannot be accompanied by any other family members – except under certain circumstances, when children below 6 years may be allowed.
• Be able to provide accommodation, general welfare and other support to the student.
• Applicants must meet the financial, health and character requirements as prescribed.
• Other family members cannot generally be included with the applicant, except in certain situations applicants may be able to bring children younger than 6-years of age.
• Must evidence that applicants have access to at least the minimum financial requirements as detailed below:

Travel Costs:	Return Airfare to Australia
Living expenses(per year)	Self - $ 18,610
	First Child - $ 3,720
	Each other child - $ 2,790

• Evidence of Finances and Acceptable sources of income are as follows

Assessment Level	Acceptable source
1 & 2	Show that you have enough to pay for above expenses for the first 12 months of stay in Australia Declare that you can meet these financial requirements for the rest of your stay in Australia.
3	All of the above. Acceptable source of funds can be from: Cash deposit held with a financial institution by you, or an eligible family member, for at least 3 consecutive months immediately before the date of visa application. Loan from a financial institution. Loan from applicant’s government Scholarship from education provider Scholarship from Australian or foreign governments (federal or state), multilateral agencies (e.g. UN, World Bank) or other non-profit organisations.

Visa Holders

Duration of Visa – Granted for the same length of time as the student visa holder or until the nominating student turns 18 years of age.

Work rights – Student Guardian visa holders cannot work in Australia.

Study – Visa holders can study an ELICOS course up to 20 hours per week or any other course for a maximum of 3 months.

Changing of circumstances – Holders must tell the Department of Immigration about any change in circumstances including change of address, passport, pregnancy, birth, divorce, separation, marriage, de facto relationship or death in the family.

Leaving Australia – Holders cannot leave Australia without the Nominating student except under exceptional circumstances, after having made alternate arrangements for the student for a short period.

Health Insurance – Visa holders and all dependent visa holders must maintain adequate Health Insurance cover throughout their period of stay in Australia.