You may choose to live in Australia with a nominated student guardian. A student guardian can be:
- a legal custodian or
- an eligible relative.
The Department of Home Affairs states that an eligible relative is:
- over 21 years of age; and
- is able and has the right to remain in Australia until the student’s visa expires or the student turns 18 years-of-age (whichever happens first); and
- of good character; and
- is either a:
- parent or step-parent
- spouse or de facto partner
- brother, sister, step-brother or step-sister
- grandparent or step‑grandparent
- aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle,
- niece, nephew, step‑niece or step-nephew.
If you choose this option, you must:
- complete and submit the under 18 care arrangements form (PDF, 217KB) to Victoria University
- submit evidence to support your guardian is of good character by providing the following:
- an original copy of a police clearance check in the country or countries in which your guardian has resided for more than 12 months in the past 10 years after the age of 16 (note that police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date); and
- a statutory declaration from your parent/legal custodian or guardian, confirming the relationship between you and your guardian
- certified copies of your of parent/legal custodian and guardian’s identification (including photograph and signature).
- Complete and provide your acceptance documentation.
When applying for a student visa, you will need to submit the details of your guardianship arrangement to the Department of Home Affairs website for their approval.