Official form guide
Form 157N: Nomination of a student guardian in Australia
Form 157N – Nomination of a student guardian – is used by student visa holders who need to change their welfare arrangements and name a relative in Australia as their guardian. It must be completed and sent to the Department of Home Affairs.
Need help with Form 157N?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Home Affairs Form 157N - Nomination of a student guardian in Australia
Form 157N – Nomination of a student guardian – is used by student visa holders who need to change their welfare arrangements and name a relative in Australia as their guardian. It must be completed and sent to the Department of Home Affairs.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A common mistake is forgetting the guardian’s signed consent for electronic communication.
- 2Missing signatures from student, parent/legal custodian, or guardian
- 3Failing to attach required supporting documents
- 4Providing incomplete or inaccurate guardian details
- 5Not obtaining the guardian’s consent for email communication
Plain English
If you’re on a student visa and want a new family member to look after you while you’re in Australia, you fill out this form. You’ll give the guardian’s personal details, agree on how the Department can contact them, and sign a declaration that you’ll keep the information up‑to‑date.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Submit the form whenever you decide to change your welfare arrangements; the form does not specify a fixed deadline.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- You are a student visa holder who wants to change your welfare/guardian arrangement.
- You need to nominate a relative in Australia who meets the Department's definition of a relative.
- You must provide documentary evidence to support the new arrangement.
- Both the student (if over 18) and the parent/legal custodian(s) must sign the declaration.
- You will email the completed form to the nearest Department office.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
First‑time guardian nomination
not confirmed in official source
✓ Verify you are using the correct initial nomination form
Changing guardian arrangement
Form is specifically for changes to existing welfare arrangements
✓ Ensure you have a valid student visa and current TRN
Applying for a new student visa
not confirmed in official source
✓ Use the appropriate visa application form, not 157N
Deadline or filing window
There is no statutory deadline; submit as soon as you plan to change your welfare arrangements to avoid unnecessary delays.
Before you submit
- 1Open the PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader and type in English or print and fill in block letters.
- 2Enter Transaction Reference Number, Australian visa grant number and Application ID.
- 3State the reason for the change and the start/end dates of the new arrangement.
- 4Answer the Yes/No questions (e.g., will you turn 18 before arriving).
- 5Attach all required supporting documents as evidence.
- 6Obtain signatures from the student (if over 18), both parents/legal custodians (if student under 18) and the nominated guardian.
- 7Indicate whether you consent to electronic communication.
- 8Keep a copy of the completed form and all attachments for your records.
- 9Email the form to the nearest Department of Home Affairs office.
How to file this form
- 1Download Form 157N from the Department website.
- 2Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader and fill each field in English.
- 3Gather supporting evidence (e.g., proof of relationship, character documents).
- 4Print the form if you prefer pen‑filled block letters and obtain all required signatures.
- 5Email the completed form and attachments to the nearest Department office.
- 6Save a copy of the emailed file and any confirmation of receipt.
Known limitations
- 1The form is only for changing an existing guardian arrangement, not for the initial nomination.
- 2The nominated guardian must be a relative as defined and aged 21 years or over (except a parent).
- 3Electronic communication is not secure; the Department may still use it only with your consent.
- 4All claims must be supported by documentary evidence; missing evidence can cause delays.
- 5The form must be completed in English using block letters if printed.
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->Form 157N was designed in November 2020 and is still the current form for changing a student guardian arrangement as per the source.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the design date (November 2020) on the form header.
- Confirm the electronic communication consent box is present and filled as you wish.
- Verify that the privacy notice reference (form 1442i) is still current.
- Ensure the declaration sections for student, parent/legal custodian and guardian are included.
- Confirm you have space to record Transaction Reference Number, visa grant number and Application ID.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm design date 11/20confirmed on page 5.
- SRCRelative definition and age requirement (21 years or over, except parent)confirmed on page 1.
- SRCElectronic communication consent wordingconfirmed on page 1.
- SRCRequirement to keep a copy of the formconfirmed on page 1.
- SRCDeclaration sections for student, parent/legal custodian and guardianconfirmed on page 5.
- SRCNeed to email the completed form to the nearest Department officeconfirmed on page 1.
- SRCPage 2 is intentionally blankconfirmed on page 2.
- SRCPrivacy notice reference (form 1442i)confirmed on page 1.
Common confusion points
Thinking the form can be used for a first‑time guardian nomination.
Forgetting that both parents or legal custodians must sign when the student is under 18.
Omitting the required supporting evidence for the new guardian.
Not indicating consent for electronic communication and then expecting email updates.
Leaving the start or end dates blank.
Assuming the form can be submitted by post without emailing the nearest office.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.