My Thai partner and I are considering bringing her son to study in Australia (she gets a guardian visa and we get to spend time together; her son gets to learn English and acclimatize to Oz etc). Now, I think it's a great idea as we start to live as a Family. My dearest, however, reckons there are all sorts of "problems" with this type of study/guardian visa to Australia...but, given we would be bringing money in (buying educational services) I would have thought it should be really plain sailing. Has anyone arranged such a visa (study/guardian) and is it so problematic? Thanks in advance of any responses, T-Man.

I assume you and partner are living in Oz, if so why would you wish to apply for guardian visa, rather than sponsoring your partner's son or the son obtaining a student visa? if your partner is still living in Thailand it's unlikely she would be able to obtain a guardian visa to live in Oz. However, have at look at the criteria, financial obligations etc for guardian visas.

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/580-

Thanks for the response Simple1...no, my partner and her son still in BKK...we are planning to get married this year. I have suggested her son get's a student visa and she applies for a guardian's visa for him; at least this way, we can have everyone together as we sort out everything else (spouse visa etc eventually and sponsoring her son)...cheers and thanks again, TM