Arrangements for students under 18 years of age
Visa requirements
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires all international students who will be under 18 years of age when entering Australia on a student visa, to have appropriate accommodation, support and welfare arrangements in place. When you apply for a student visa, you will need to provide evidence that will be living with a parent, custodian or relative, or that the University has approved your care arrangements.
Welfare arrangements
International students under 18 years of age can meet DIAC’s visa requirements in the following ways:
- Live in Australia with a parent or custodian
Your parent or legal custodian must reside with you and have an appropriate visa to remain in Australia until you turn 18. They can for example apply for a tourist or visitor visa or a Student Guardian visa
- Live in Australia with a relative
approved by DIAC
A relative can be your (step) brother, (step) sister, (step) grandparent, (step) aunt, (step) uncle, (step) niece or (step) nephew. He or she must also be over 21 years of age and of good character. The relative must reside with you in Australia until you turn 18. They can be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or the holder of a temporary visa, for instance a Student Guardian visa.
- Agree to care arrangements approved by the University
- Live in one of the Residential Colleges of the University of Melbourne; or
- Enrol in the University of Melbourne Under 18 Supervision Program.
The following care alternatives have been approved by the University of Melbourne.
CAAW Form
You require a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) form only if your care arrangements are being approved by the University of Melbourne (option 3). Your CAAW form will be issued once you have accepted your offer to study at the University and your place at a Residential College or in the Under 18 Supervision Program is confirmed. You will need to submit the CAAW form with your student visa application.
Inform the University
All international students who will be under 18 years of age must register their proposed accommodation and welfare arrangements with the University by completing an Under 18 form that is relevant to their situation.
Visa conditions
Students who have not turned 18 are subject to visa conditions that require them to maintain adequate welfare and accommodation arrangements. If the University has agreed to your care arrangement, you must not change these arrangements until you have obtained written approval from the University. You also must not travel to Australia before the day that your welfare arrangements will commence.