If you are an international student under the age of 18 and wish to study at Murdoch, the Australian Government requires appropriate accommodation, support and welfare arrangements be met before you can accept your offer letter and are granted a student visa.
The arrangements must be maintained for the duration of your student visa or until you turn 18, depending on what happens first.
Find more information regarding your student visa from the Department of Home Affairs. The Eligibility tab will give you more information regarding students under the age of 18.
Accommodation options
As a student under the age of 18 you have some accommodation options while studying in Australia at Murdoch University:
- living with a parent or legal custodian
- living with a close relative (nominated by your parent or legal custodian).
Living with a parent or legal custodian
If you live with a parent or a legal custodian while you are under the age of 18, they provide accommodation, support and welfare for you. You should also indicate this on your student visa application form.
If your parent or legal custodian is initially not living in Australia you can also bring them to Australia. They can apply for a short stay visitor visa or a Student Guardian visa.
The Department of Home Affairs will give you more information regarding including family members.
Where you nominate a close relative, the Department of Home Affairs and not Murdoch University is responsible for approving this arrangement. Should your nominated relative be approved, they will become your guardian.
Living with a close relative
The Department of Home Affairs considers the following relatives as appropriate carers:
- brother or sister
- step-brother or step-sister
- step-parent
- grandparent
- step-grandparent
- aunt or uncle
- step-aunt or step-uncle
- niece or nephew
- step-niece or step-nephew.
Your parent or legal custodians will need to give their permission for this arrangement on your visa application form and your relative must be nominated through the Department of Home Affairs student guardianship arrangements form.
All relatives must be aged over 21 and eligible to stay in Australia until you turn 18 or your visa expires. They must also be of good character by providing a valid police clearance.
If your relative is initially not living in Australia you can also bring them to Australia. Or your relative must make an application to the Department of Home Affairs for an appropriate visa. They can apply for a short stay visitor visa or a Student Guardian visa.
The Department of Home Affairs will give you more information regarding including family members.
Where you nominate a close relative, the Department of Home Affairs and not Murdoch University is responsible for approving this arrangement. At the same time the parent or legal custodian is your guardian.
