Student Guardian visa (subclass 580)

Student Guardian visa (subclass 580)

The Student Guardian visa (subclass 580) is no longer open for new applications. This visa closed for new applications on 1 July 2016. If you want to extend your stay in Australia after this date, you must apply for a Student Visa (subclass 590).

Information for Visa Holders

This information is for people who have already received a Student Guardian visa (subclass 580) or who applied for this visa on or before 30 June 2016 and are waiting for a decision. It describes your rights and responsibilities while you hold this visa.

You can check your visa details and conditions using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service. VEVO is a free online tool for checking visa status.

Duration of the Visa

If you already have a Student Guardian visa (subclass 580), your visa will remain valid until the expiry date given when your visa was granted.

What the Visa Allows

This visa lets you stay in Australia for the same period as the nominating student or until the student turns 18 years old, whichever comes first.

You can study in Australia for up to 20 hours per week in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS). ELICOS is a course designed to teach English to international students. This is allowed if you submitted your application on or after 24 March 2012.

You can also study in a course other than ELICOS for up to three months.

You can enter and leave Australia during the period of your visa. However, you cannot leave Australia without the nominating student unless you provide evidence of compelling compassionate circumstances and you have made suitable alternative arrangements for the student’s accommodation, welfare, and support until you return.

Obligations of Visa Holders

You must make sure that the nominating student is properly cared for at all times. If you need to leave Australia temporarily and the student will remain in Australia, you must arrange for their ongoing welfare and support.

Alternative Welfare Arrangements

Alternative arrangements for the student’s welfare must be approved by the Australian immigration authorities and the student’s education provider. You should talk to the education provider as soon as you know you need to travel.

There are two main ways to arrange alternative welfare:

1. You can nominate an alternative student guardian. This person must usually be a parent or relative aged 21 years or over. Use Form 157N (Nomination of a student guardian) to nominate someone. This form explains the documents you need to provide. Send the completed form, the education provider’s approval (in a letter or email), and all required documents to the immigration authorities before you leave Australia.
2. The student’s education provider can take responsibility for the student’s welfare. In this case, they will issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter. This letter will state the start and end dates for the period they are responsible for the student’s welfare.

The authorities will inform you if the alternative welfare arrangements are approved. If the arrangements are not approved, you must not leave Australia without the nominating student.

No Further Stay Condition

Your visa may have a ‘no further stay’ or ‘further stay restricted’ condition. This means you cannot apply to stay in Australia beyond the date specified on your visa, except in certain circumstances. You must comply with this condition.

You are not allowed to work while you are in Australia on this visa. If you do not follow the conditions of your Student Guardian visa (subclass 580), your visa may be cancelled. The nominating student’s visa may also be cancelled.

Reporting Changes in Circumstances

You must inform the immigration authorities if your circumstances change. This includes changes such as moving to a new address, getting a new passport, or changes in your family situation such as pregnancy, birth, marriage, divorce, separation, a new de facto relationship, or the death of a family member.

You should report changes in your circumstances through ImmiAccount. ImmiAccount is an online system for managing your visa details. If you cannot use ImmiAccount, you can use the following forms:

Form 929 is for reporting a change of address and/or passport details. Use this form if you move to a new address or get a new passport.

Form 1022 is for notification of other changes in your circumstances. Use this form if there are other significant changes in your personal situation.