Host an international student

South Australian government schools and tertiary institutions arrange homestay accommodation for international students studying in South Australia.

International secondary school students

South Australian government schools arrange homestay accommodation for international students who are 12 years of age or older while they are studying abroad in South Australia.

You can choose to host a student for a period of time that best suits your family:

  • 1-4 terms (short term High School Study Abroad students)
  • 1-5 years (longer term High School Graduate Program students)
As a local family hosting an international student, you will have the chance to:
  • learn about other cultures, customs and traditions
  • make lifelong friendships with your student and their family
  • participate in activities and meet other host families
  • explore South Australia.

International Education Services (IES) — a unit within the Department for Education — manages all aspects of the International Student Program, including student recruitment and homestay accommodation.

What is involved

When you host an international student, they will become a member of your family. Your student will be a long way from home and in your care so you will be expected to provide them with a safe, supportive and welcoming home environment.

As a homestay, you will be required to provide your student with:

  • a furnished bedroom inside the family home (not a separate dwelling)
  • all meals
  • use of utilities - ie water, electricity and gas
  • access to TV, internet
  • use of facilities - eg iron, vacuum cleaner, laundry.

You will also be expected to:

  • support your student in their studies
  • monitor your student’s health and well-being
  • accept duty of care for your student outside of school hours
  • provide a friendly and inviting home for your student
  • speak English with your student to improve their language skills.

The IES will provide you with:

  • a weekly allowance of $340 for a single room
  • an initial briefing session and homestay handbook
  • homestay newsletters
  • homestay workshops covering a variety of topics
  • an invite to the annual homestay picnic for families and students
  • a range of homestay activities and giveaways
  • ongoing support from the homestay accommodation team
  • access to the 24 hour emergency telephone service.

How to become a homestay host

Before you can host a student in your home, you must become an accredited homestay for South Australian government schools. This process includes:
  • getting a Working with Children Check
  • submitting an application online
  • a visit and interview by an IES accommodation officer to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.

Apply now


Related information

Contact

International Education Services
Phone: +61 8 8226 3402
Email: decdisp@sa.gov.au

International tertiary education students

With access to a range of quality and affordable accommodation options most international students live on campus or organise private rental accommodation.

Some international students prefer homestay:

  • for the first few weeks of their stay to familarise themselves with their new environment
  • long-term as an opportunity to practise their English language skills
  • on short-term cultural exchanges.

Australian Homestay Network (AHN) offers a range of homestay accommodation and support services to international students, education providers and agents. AHN has partnered with Flinders University, University of South Australia (UniSA) and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) SA to provide homestays.

How to become a homestay host

Becoming a registered and approved host with Australian Homestay Network involves:

    • getting a background check
    • submitting an application online
    • a visit and interview by an AHN staff member to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.

Apply now

Alternatively make enquires direct with the relevant tertiary institution.

International secondary school students

South Australian government schools arrange homestay accommodation for international students who are 12 years of age or older while they are studying abroad in South Australia.

You can choose to host a student for a period of time that best suits your family:

  • 1-4 terms (short term High School Study Abroad students)
  • 1-5 years (longer term High School Graduate Program students)
As a local family hosting an international student, you will have the chance to:
  • learn about other cultures, customs and traditions
  • make lifelong friendships with your student and their family
  • participate in activities and meet other host families
  • explore South Australia.

International Education Services (IES) — a unit within the Department for Education — manages all aspects of the International Student Program, including student recruitment and homestay accommodation.

What is involved

When you host an international student, they will become a member of your family. Your student will be a long way from home and in your care so you will be expected to provide them with a safe, supportive and welcoming home environment.

As a homestay, you will be required to provide your student with:

  • a furnished bedroom inside the family home (not a separate dwelling)
  • all meals
  • use of utilities - ie water, electricity and gas
  • access to TV, internet
  • use of facilities - eg iron, vacuum cleaner, laundry.

You will also be expected to:

  • support your student in their studies
  • monitor your student’s health and well-being
  • accept duty of care for your student outside of school hours
  • provide a friendly and inviting home for your student
  • speak English with your student to improve their language skills.

The IES will provide you with:

  • a weekly allowance of $340 for a single room
  • an initial briefing session and homestay handbook
  • homestay newsletters
  • homestay workshops covering a variety of topics
  • an invite to the annual homestay picnic for families and students
  • a range of homestay activities and giveaways
  • ongoing support from the homestay accommodation team
  • access to the 24 hour emergency telephone service.

How to become a homestay host

Before you can host a student in your home, you must become an accredited homestay for South Australian government schools. This process includes:
  • getting a Working with Children Check
  • submitting an application online
  • a visit and interview by an IES accommodation officer to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.

Apply now


Related information

Contact

International Education Services
Phone: +61 8 8226 3402
Email: decdisp@sa.gov.au

International tertiary education students

With access to a range of quality and affordable accommodation options most international students live on campus or organise private rental accommodation.

Some international students prefer homestay:

  • for the first few weeks of their stay to familarise themselves with their new environment
  • long-term as an opportunity to practise their English language skills
  • on short-term cultural exchanges.

Australian Homestay Network (AHN) offers a range of homestay accommodation and support services to international students, education providers and agents. AHN has partnered with Flinders University, University of South Australia (UniSA) and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) SA to provide homestays.

How to become a homestay host

Becoming a registered and approved host with Australian Homestay Network involves:

    • getting a background check
    • submitting an application online
    • a visit and interview by an AHN staff member to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.

Apply now

Alternatively make enquires direct with the relevant tertiary institution.


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Page last updated 13 February 2024

Provided by:
Department for Education
URL:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/international-students/hosting-an-international-high-school-student
Last Updated:
13/02/24
Printed on:
19/04/24
Copyright statement:
SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2024
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