Residences for student guardians in Sydney and Melbourne

When a child comes to Australia for school, a parent often comes too, to look after them through the school years. Westprecinct offers managed serviced residences in Sydney and Melbourne, exquisitely furnished and presented to The Westprecinct Standard, planned around the school year and close to the school. You arrange it before you fly, move in when you land, and give your child the feeling of home from the first day of term.

Planned around the school year. Arrive before Term 1 and stay through to the end of the school year in December. If your child continues the following year, your stay can continue by arrangement, subject to availability and the guest terms.

Close to the school. Choose the suburb by the school and the daily journey. Our residences are in Barangaroo, Balmain, Rozelle and Drummoyne in Sydney, and in Toorak, Armadale, Malvern and Brighton in Melbourne.

Room for the household. Two- and three-bedroom residences with a full kitchen, a quiet place for homework and premium linen, ready on the day you arrive.

A confirmation for your visa application. On request, we provide a written confirmation of your residence and stay dates, which you can include with your Student Guardian visa application.

One point of contact. One person looks after your residence, questions and arrangements for the whole stay, including the term breaks.

Who can apply. A parent, a person with custody of the student, or a relative aged 21 or older nominated in writing by a parent. The guardian must be able to provide the student's accommodation, welfare and support. Apply at the same time as your child's Student visa. Home Affairs changed some rules for Student and Student Guardian visas from 2 October 2026, so check the current requirements with Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.

Younger children. The visa is normally not granted if anyone in your family is under 6, even if they will not travel, unless there are compelling and compassionate reasons. Children aged 6 or older can come with you, but need their own Student visa.

Work and study. You cannot work on this visa. You can study English for less than 20 hours a week, or another course for up to three months.

Travel. You must not leave Australia without your child unless other welfare arrangements are in place and approved by the school. Most families plan trips home for the school holidays together.

Health cover. You must hold adequate health insurance for the whole stay, such as Overseas Visitors Health Cover.

We do not advise on visas, tax or health cover. We look after where you live while you settle.

In Sydney, our residences sit in harbourside and inner-west neighbourhoods: Barangaroo, a walk from CBD offices; Balmain and Rozelle, with village streets and a ferry into the city; and Drummoyne, Cabarita and Breakfast Point, quiet waterfront living popular with families. In Melbourne, they sit in Toorak, Armadale and Malvern, leafy and close to well-regarded schools, and in Brighton, by the bay.

Sydney stays are from around three months, and Melbourne stays are 30 days and beyond. Higher rates may apply for under 6 months. Your stay can continue by arrangement, subject to availability and the guest terms. Through The W Circle, Westprecinct’s recognition programme, paid stays from now count towards standing from 1 January 2027, carried across Sydney and Melbourne.

Send us your child's school and start date, the city, the household and how long you expect to stay, and tell us if you need a confirmation for your visa application. We come back to you with suitable residences and a clear proposal, by phone, email or video call at a time that suits you.

Over 20 years of looking after residents who are new to the city. A residence with the feeling of home, ready when you land.