Beyond the ordinary
This is where our journey begins. Get to know our business and what we do, and how we're committed to quality and great service. Join us as we grow and succeed together. We're glad you're here to be a part of our story.
Our Story
Welcome to Homestay.
We pride ourselves on our adaptability and commitment to excellence in every aspect of our service. Explore what we have to offer and how we can contribute to your success.
We hope that you enjoy your stay and achieve success in your studies. Your Host is a valuable source of information. They are there to help you while you are studying in Australia.
Living with a Host Family is a rewarding experience for you. Your Host has chosen to be a Homestay because they have an understanding of different cultures. For all concerned the experience should be a rewarding one. Most problems occur due to a breakdown in communication so it is important that you do your best to understand your Host and for your Host to understand you. The Host aims to provide you with a caring, comfortable and healthy environment that supports your studies. It may be difficult to understand and speak to your Host but in a short time your English will improve and you will be able to communicate with them. The more often you speak to your Host the more quickly you learn. A Homestay is only allowed to accept a maximum of 3 male or female students at any one time.
Insurance in Homestay
Hosts are required to have Public Liability Insurance and Contents Insurance Cover for their home and are required to advise their Insurer that they have an International student residing in their home. Homestay Australia PL does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any damages or loss of income incurred by the Homestay Host or the Student residing in a Homestay.
Travel Directions
Upon arrival, you will be given directions to your school via public transport. Your Host will ensure that you understand which is the best way to travel to your school.
Ask your Host for a copy of a timetable for your transport.
Check that you can understand how to read the information.
Check that at all times you are carrying some form of identification that will state who you are, where you are staying and your Host's telephone number.
Therefore in case you are lost you can show a passer-by this information and your Host can be contacted.
Payments
All Homestay bookings are a minimum of Four weeks.
The initial (first) payment is refundable, but the Placement Fee is non-refundable.
You are required to pay your accommodation every four weeks.
If you wish to extend your stay in Homestay, AUS will email your invoices every four weeks.
You do not make direct payments to your Host.
If you decide to leave the accommodation a period of 2 weeks’ notice is required.
If, upon arrival you are sure that you will only be in the accommodation for the initial four week period, please advise your host.
AUS does not require you to sign a Contract nor pay a Bond for your accommodation.
All questions of payment should be referred to
HOLIDAY PAYMENTS
If you plan to travel around Australia or go back to your country for a period of time and you wish to keep your room, a fee of $185.00 is required to be paid for the period you are away.
You must be away for more than one week for this to apply.
NOTICE
Two weeks’ notice is required at all times. You are required to give your Host two weeks’ notice prior to leaving the home. If you are under 18 years of age, you are required to reside in accommodation approved by your school. You need your school's permission to change or leave Homestay.
Accommodation
A Host will provide you with a single room (unless agreed prior to arrival for a twin shared room);
Furnished with wardrobe hanging space,
A chest of drawers,
A desk,
A single or double bed.
You will be given access to laundry facilities in the home.
The Homestay fee covers >
Electricity
Gas
Water
Internet access
Meals
Meals
(3) meals per day, – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Breakfast - Self Service (help yourself) : (For Example) A choice of cereal, toast, condiments, milk OR noodles. Foods are to be provided by the Homestay and student is to help themselves.
Lunch - Self Service (help yourself) : (For Example) Can be a choice of Sandwiches OR a Container of Food to be heated plus piece of fruit and a drink. Foods are to be provided by the Homestay and student is to help themselves.
Dinner - A cooked meal. (To be provided by the Host) The Homestay can provide different styles of food i.e., Western and Asian.
Laundry
All students are expected to iron their own clothes and do their own washing. If you are not sure how to do this ask your Host.
If you have specific clothing requirements, i.e.: school uniforms etc. then you should keep your uniform in a clean and tidy condition.
If you are under 18 years your Host does your washing for you as well as your ironing.
If you are over 18 years, it is all your own responsibility.
Toiletries
You are expected to supply your own toothpaste and shampoo. But your Host Family will supply items such as toilet paper and soap.
Cleaning
If you are over 18 years, you are expected to clean your own room and to keep it tidy. If you are Under 18 years, your host will vacuum your room but it is your responsibility to keep it tidy. When you use such areas as the kitchen and bathroom, leave them as you find them.
Smoking
Unless given permission do not smoke in the house. Ask your Host where you can smoke. Most Homestay homes are non smoking.
Internet
All hosts are required to provide internet access.
The Internet use is for email correspondence with family, friends and study purposes only.
Downloading of Music and Movies, playing Internet Games or Chat rooms are considered excessive use of the internet and are not allowed when using the internet connection provided by the host.
If you decide to create your own connection, then you are free to do so at your expense.
Fire Safety
Do not use power boards greater than 2 sockets (10 amp per outlet)
Do not leave your desk lamp on all night.
Do not use a fan heater in your bedrooms. Use an oil heater which must not be covered and used to dry clothes.
Turn off your monitor from the wall switch at the end of the day. When the monitor is switched off from the monitor itself, this does not turn off the monitor. It simply shuts down the screen. The monitor is still running otherwise. A fire can start due to a monitor overheating.
If you are cooking during weekends, never leave the kitchen while you are doing so.
Information Under 18 year students
Social Support - Guardianship Structure
Accommodation AUS provides a Guardianship Service for International Students under 18 years at no additional cost to the parent.
Our service provides Parents with a single contact point for their child outside of school hours.
Parents can be assured that their child is well cared for while they study in Australia and that their child complies with their Student Visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration,
Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).
With all Homestay accommodation provided to the Under 18-year student, a representative of Accommodation AUS has visited the premises every 6 months and every family member over the age of 18 years has a “Work With Children Card” ;
There is no additional fee payable for this service
Student Responsibility
- Ensure the Host is aware of your health and well being
- Ensure that you are contactable 24/7 by either your school, your Host and your Parents.
(If you wish to stay at a friend's home overnight - seek permission from your parents first. If your parents cannot speak English, your school needs to provide a translation for them. Without their permission you are not allowed to stay at a friend’s home. If you have received their permission, provide your Host with a copy of the proof or ask them to contact your school coordinator. Ensure your Host also knows where you are and how you can be contacted in case of an emergency.)
- To be responsible for your own personal hygiene
- To be responsible for your own study pattern
- To respect the personal space of other members of their home
- To respect the privacy of other members of the home
- To ensure that you become a part of family life and participate in the day to day activities of the family.
- Example : By not mainly staying in your bedroom when you are home and including yourself in daily family chores.
- Example : Empty the dishwasher; clearing up after meals; by leaving the bathroom as you have found it; by minimizing time in the bathroom as a consideration for other family members; by leaving the kitchen as they have found it; by being home at the designated meal time.
Host Responsibility
In Homestay, the host is expected to provide the following service :
Three meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days per week; a single room; furnished and laundry facilities in the Homestay.
The Homestay fee also covers charges for electricity, gas, water and Internet access.
Day to day care of by :
- Providing healthy meals
- Doing your washing and ironing
- Ensuring that you have acceptable hygiene habits
- Ensuring that you are coping with living in a foreign country.
- Ensuring that you are completing your homework on time.
- Ensuring that you are attending school on a required basis and has a clear understanding of the local transport systems.
Your Host must also provide you with guidelines regarding :
- Acceptable times to be at home after school and at weekends
- Amount of time on the internet for leisure purposes
- Manners
- Arrangements for your telephone connection.
- Smoking (if applicable)
- Consumption of alcohol
- Drug use