Official form guide
Form 157N: Nomination of a student guardian in Australia
Form 157N is used to nominate a student guardian for a student under 18 years of age who is studying in Australia. It collects details about the student, the proposed guardian, and includes declarations from both the student and the guardian.
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Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 157N - Nomination of a student guardian in Australia
Form 157N is used to nominate a student guardian for a student under 18 years of age who is studying in Australia. It collects details about the student, the proposed guardian, and includes declarations from both the student and the guardian.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Providing false or misleading information on this form can lead to visa refusal or cancellation.
- 2Not signing the declaration – the form will be rejected.
- 3Guardian does not meet the definition of a relative or is under 21.
- 4Incomplete sections – missing dates, names, or contact details.
- 5Not attaching required evidence (e.g., birth certificate, proof of relationship).
Plain English
If you're an international student under 18 coming to study in Australia, you need a guardian here. This form is how you nominate that guardian – usually a relative like a parent, grandparent, or sibling who is over 21 and of good character. You'll fill in your details, your guardian's details, and sign a declaration. The guardian also signs to confirm they'll look after you.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit this form when you need to nominate or change a student guardian – usually as part of a student visa application or when your guardian changes during your studies. There is no fixed deadline, but it must be done before the guardian arrangement takes effect.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form if you currently hold a student visa and need to change your welfare (guardian) arrangements.
- Use this form to nominate a guardian for a student under 18 who will be studying in Australia.
- Use this form if you are a parent, legal custodian, or the proposed guardian and need to provide consent or declaration.
- Use this form to update guardian details if your circumstances change while on a student visa.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You hold a student visa and need to change your guardian
This form is specifically for changing welfare arrangements.
✓ Ensure you meet the character requirements for the guardian.
You are applying for a student visa for the first time
This form is not for visa applications; it is for guardian nomination only.
✓ Check the Department's website for the correct visa application form.
You need to update guardian details after a change
This form may be used for updates, but the exact process is not specified.
✓ Contact the Department for guidance.
Deadline or filing window
There is no specific deadline, but you must submit the form before the guardian arrangement starts. If your circumstances change (e.g., new guardian), submit an updated form promptly.
Before you submit
- 1Complete all sections of the form in English using BLOCK LETTERS.
- 2Provide evidence to support your claims (e.g., relationship to the guardian, age, character references).
- 3Read and understand the privacy notice (Form 1442i) before signing.
- 4Sign the declaration in the appropriate sections (student if over 18, parents/legal custodians if under 18, and guardian).
- 5Keep a copy of the completed form and all attachments for your records.
- 6Email the completed form and evidence to the nearest office of the Department of Home Affairs.
- 7Check that you have answered all questions, including those about turning 18 or changing arrangements.
How to file this form
- 1Download and open Form 157N using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- 2Read the instructions and notes on page 1 carefully.
- 3Fill in all required fields, including your personal details, guardian details, and the reason for the change or nomination.
- 4Gather and attach all required evidence (e.g., proof of relationship, guardian's age and character).
- 5Sign the declaration – as the student (if over 18), as parent/legal custodian (if student under 18), and as the guardian.
- 6Email the completed form and attachments to the nearest Department of Home Affairs office (find the address on their website).
- 7Retain a copy of everything you submit for your own records.
Known limitations
- 1The guardian must be a relative as defined in the form (e.g., parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc.) and must be aged 21 or over, unless they are a parent.
- 2The guardian must be of good character – you may need to provide police checks or other evidence.
- 3The form must be completed in English and submitted electronically via email; paper submissions may not be accepted.
- 4If the student is under 18, both parents or legal custodians must sign the declaration unless there are exceptional circumstances.
- 5The Department may contact you electronically only if you consent; otherwise, they will use postal mail.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
3 items
Your name exactly as shown in your passport.
Your date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
Passport number, country of issue, and expiry date.
Contact
1 items
Current residential address, postal address, email, and phone number.
Request
1 items
The visa, citizenship, or sponsorship request this form relates to.
Evidence
1 items
Certified copies of identity and other documents required for the request.
Declaration
1 items
Declare that the information is true and correct, then sign and date.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->This is the current version of Form 157N as of its design date (11/20). It is used for nominating or changing a student guardian for a student under 18 in Australia. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for any updates or revisions.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Verify that you are using the latest version of Form 157N (design date 11/20).
- Check the Department of Home Affairs website for any updates or replacement forms.
- Ensure you have read the notes on page 1, including character and privacy requirements.
- Confirm that the form is still accepted for your specific situation (e.g., changing guardian vs. initial nomination).
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm number 157N and design date 11/20confirmed from form header.
- SRCAgency: Department of Home Affairsconfirmed from form header.
- SRCPurpose: Nomination of a student guardianconfirmed from form title and instructions.
- SRCRequirement to email the form to the nearest officeconfirmed from page 1 text.
- SRCConsent to communicate electronicallyconfirmed from page 1 text.
- SRCPrivacy notice reference to Form 1442iconfirmed from page 1 text.
- SRCCharacter requirements for guardian (relative, age 21+, good character)confirmed from page 1 text.
- SRCDeclaration by parents/legal custodians if student under 18confirmed from page 5 text.
Common confusion points
People often confuse this form with the student visa application form – this form is only for guardian nomination, not the visa itself.
The definition of 'relative' is specific – step-relatives and certain in-laws may or may not qualify; check the list carefully.
The guardian must be 21 or over unless they are a parent – this is a common mistake.
If the student turns 18 before arriving in Australia, you may not need a guardian – the form asks about this, so answer correctly.
Both parents/legal custodians must sign if the student is under 18 – missing one signature can delay the application.
You must provide evidence – simply stating the relationship is not enough.
The form must be completed in BLOCK LETTERS – using lower case may cause processing issues.
Emailing the form is required – do not mail a paper copy unless specifically instructed.
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