Key facts: studying in Australia as a minor
- Minimum age for a Student visa (subclass 500): 6 years
- Students under 18 need approved welfare arrangements until they turn 18
- Welfare options: a student guardian (often on a subclass 590 visa), a CAAW from the school, AASES for exchange students, or Ministerial approval for Foreign Affairs or Defence students
- Government visa charge from 1 July 2026: $2,500 for most courses (see visa fees)
- From 2 October 2026, new onshore and family rules apply (see below)
Studying abroad in a new environment can be exciting and worrying at the same time, especially for minors. Australia has a lot to offer to international students who are under 18 years of age, in terms of visas, welfare, education support, etc.
Minor students included in parents’ visa
Minors can be included in their parents’ visa to come to Australia and study. In this case, they don’t have to apply for student visas separately. They are allowed to enroll in a school to study and are treated as international students.
School fees may be different from state to state, and also depend on the type of visa their parents are holding.
Please read our article about school fees here: SCHOOL FEES FOR DEPENDANTS OF VISA HOLDERS
Minors studying in Australia as primary applicants
In this case, they will have to apply for a student visa in their own rights to be able to come and study in Australia. There are additional requirements for a student visa to be approved for minors, compared to students over 18 years of age.
Update (October 2026): new Student visa rules
From 2 October 2026, most people in Australia on a temporary visa can no longer apply for a Student visa or a Student Guardian visa onshore, and most new Student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or children. Applicants for primary or secondary school studies are among the exemptions that can still apply onshore. A child who holds a Student visa as a dependant and now wants to become the primary applicant may need to apply from outside Australia unless an exemption applies. Current Student Guardian visa holders can still apply for a further Student Guardian visa in Australia. Read more in Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
Age
The minimum age to obtain a student visa in Australia is 6 years old. Besides, students must also be:
- less than 17 years old when they begin Year 9
- less than 18 years old when they begin Year 10
- less than 19 years old when they begin Year 11
- less than 20 years old when they begin Year 12
Make welfare arrangements
If students are applying for a student visa and they are under 18 years of age, they must have adequate welfare arrangements in place while they are in Australia.
They can do so by one of the methods below:
- Nominate a student guardian: Nominate a parent, legal custodian or relative over 21 years of age as their student guardian. This person must have a visa (if they don’t already have a visa, they may be eligible to apply for visa subclass 590) to stay in Australia for the duration of the student visa or until they turn 18.
They must attach a completed Form 157N Nomination of a student guardian to your application. If your nominated guardian is applying for a student guardian (subclass TU-590) visa, both applications should be made at the same time.
- Arrange a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). Unless they are a secondary exchange student or a Foreign Affairs or Defence student, organise for the education provider to approve the welfare arrangements. The education provider will issue a CAAW and advise Department of Home Affairs of the student’s welfare arrangements start and end date.
- Provide the Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) form if the student is a secondary exchange student. Attach a signed copy of the CAAW to the student visa application.
- Organise approval of the welfare arrangements from the relevant Minister, if the student is a Foreign Affairs or Defence student
** Important: Students must have welfare arrangements in place until they turn 18, even if they turn 18 before their course starts. Students must not enter Australia before the welfare arrangements start.
Change of welfare arrangements
It is important to remember that the condition of the student visa for underage students is the students must maintain the welfare arrangements as mentioned above until they turn 18. If, in any circumstances, they cease to have the welfare arrangements (e.g no longer having guardian, moving out of the approved accommodation without approval), they risk having their student visas cancelled and may have to return to their countries.
In case students want to make changes to the welfare arrangements (e.g change of guardian or accommodation), they must first seek approval from the education provider through the International Student Support and Welfare Manager. They will guide through the formal process and documents required.
Other requirements
Besides the above additional requirements, students under 18 years of age will also need to meet other standard requirements for a student visa. Please refer to our Student Visa Subclass 500 for information about other requirements.
Employment
In Australia, the minimum age to work is from around 13 to 15 years old, depending on the industry. Student visas generally allow students to work for up to 48 hours/ fortnight during semester, and unlimited hours during the school breaks.
It is worth noting that employees under 21 years of age are considered junior employees, hence the pay will be calculated by percentage of the relevant adult pay rate, depending on students’ age. Please refer to Fair Work website to understand your pay rate and employment entitlements.
Welfare arrangements at a glance
| Welfare option | Who it suits | What you provide |
|---|---|---|
| Student guardian (parent, legal custodian or relative aged 21 or over) | Families where a parent or relative will live in Australia with the student | Form 157N, plus the guardian’s visa (often a Student Guardian visa, subclass 590, lodged at the same time) |
| CAAW from the education provider | Students living in accommodation approved by the school, such as a homestay or boarding school | The CAAW issued by the provider, which also tells Home Affairs the start and end dates |
| AASES | Secondary exchange students | A signed AASES form |
| Ministerial approval | Foreign Affairs or Defence sponsored students | Approval of welfare arrangements from the relevant Minister |
FAQs: studying in Australia as a minor
Can my child study in Australia without me?
Yes, if your child holds their own Student visa and has approved welfare arrangements, usually a CAAW from the school. A parent or relative can also come as a student guardian.
Can a parent come to Australia with a child who is studying?
A parent, legal custodian or eligible relative aged 21 or over may apply for a Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) to live with and care for the student. Guardians generally cannot work in Australia.
What happens when my child turns 18?
Welfare arrangements must stay in place until the student turns 18. After that, the CAAW or guardian requirement ends, but all other Student visa conditions, such as attendance and course progress, still apply.
Can my child change school or homestay?
Yes, but the change must be approved first. Speak to the school’s international student support staff before moving, as an unapproved change can put the visa at risk of cancellation.
Can my child work while studying?
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours a fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks, subject to Australian minimum working age rules and junior pay rates.
400 Visas for Ship Crews, Media, Sport, Models and Influencers
Doctors and Lawyers: When Registration or Admission Is Your Skills Assessment
Married, Separated or Had a Baby After Your Skilled Visa Invitation?
Second Jobs, Volunteering and Overseas Work on a 482 Visa
Australian Study Requirement: RPL, Overlapping Courses and Time Offshore